Motorcycle Repair: Cluch cover repair, hot tank, pot metal

Question
I am restoring a 1968 CL175 K0 and the side cover for the cluch has a crack (a result of my only wreck with the bike 30 years ago).  Can this be professionally repaired, and if so where and what would be the @ cost?  I think the cover is "pot metal".
Thanks, Bill

Answer
Bill, the clutch covers on Hondas are cast aluminum, so any GOOD welding shop should be able to repair it, if the damage is not too great. The cover should be preheated in an oven or can be warmed up with a torch, to get the whole thing up to temperature before you try to TIG weld it. What is required by the welder will be that the part is thoroughly cleaned of paint and oil. Carb cleaner, hot tank dip or very hot water and detergent can get most of the oil out of the pores of the metal. You will have to check it on a flat surface to see if it has warped any after the repair process. I use a LARGE single cut file to help flatten out any issues like this.
Good luck with the restoration. Not a lot of this model out there anymore in decent shape.

Bill Silver