Where to buy Aluminum

[Dennis]

I need some heavy solid aluminum.  I am replacing the steel tube brake brace for the rear brake on my GS650.  For esthetic reasons, I need the brace to look different than the steel tube.   The new mono shock brace is all steel tube and will be painted black and if I use the stock brake brace, it will look dumb.

I need something about an inch wide and up to a 1/2 inch thick by about 16" long.  The brace works in the compression mode (as opposed to being pulled) so it has to be skookum.

I've only checked Princess Auto so far.  Anyone know who sells aluminum like this?  Alternatively, anyone knows of something which can be salvaged or stolen from some other source?

Peace & Grease, Dennis.

[stevecrout]

Hi Dennis - I've picked up fairly hefty pieces of aluminum from log or highway truck repair shops as they use it for the plate across the rails.  Might have the dimples in it but should work OK.

[fj1200]

You might want to check with Jeff as well.

[PeggySue]

Hey Dennis,
Been thinking about your aluminum conundrum. Have you tried talking to the sign-making companies?
They have to use some pretty heavy-duty material... Hazelwood, etc?
Probably not free, but I've bought stuff from the fab shops before, and it wasn't as inflated $-wise as you might think.

Cheers,
P.

[thejij]

I have a buddy at Inland Kenworth... I can ask him if they have any that you can liberate.

Jer

[benwaechter]

Where do you guys find is the best place to buy tubing and flat plate? Also has anyone on here ever used a trailer fender as a rear fender on a bobber? are they close to the right size? I know they sell some at princess auto but I was pretty sure they were all 8 inch wide, I think I need something closer to 6.

Thanks.

Ben.

[Rusty Bucket]

Agree about the trailer fender - tempting but probably too wide - and narrowing would be sort of an ordeal.  Many aftermarket catalogues at a dealer will have a range of chopper fenders.  I used a front fender on the rear of my bobber, but if I hadn't been so set on chrome, the typical builder fender might have been a better/easier choice.
  Jeff Muller in the club keeps a store of aluminum plate for machining projects that he gets from a variety of sources, including Allen's Scrap.  He is willing to part with pieces for very reasonable prices.  Not too much tubing, though, I don't think.  You have likely seen Princess has a few varieties of alloy for sale, though nothing I ever felt the need for.   I find T+S Tubing no problem to deal with - but other people's opinions vary - and I can't say that I ever tried to buy aluminum tubing there, but if it is available, I'm sure they have or can get it.  CC Industries (and probably Ali-craft) fab with aluminum and I have bought plate there in the past.

[BRUMMIEBEEMER]

CC INDUSTRIES has masses of aluminum. Plate, angle, tube. They can bend, weld, shape or form just about anything in aluminum.
How do I know this. My eldest son runs the custom shop there.

[bofud]

Dennis
 If you want something that is available for cheep - go to your local glass shop ask if they have any used scrap aluminum doors and get a push bar. I'm sure you have seen and pushed on them many times . They are about the size you want. Easy to cut as well .
 Bofud