black pipe for 4 link bars?

You have to love the people who "have done it" or "know people who have done it" and that makes it ok. Are the bars load bearing? Hard to say without seeing his setup, maybe he's planning on putting the bags on the upper bars maybe not. I do know that the bars are in tension and there are tensile strength numbers to shown that ERW and DOM are superior. As far as welding nuts in the ends of tubes goes, will it work? Sure, but why not spend $5 and get a weld in bung? You've already spent atleast $1 on the nut what's $4 more to do it right. We use a general rule of thumb that you want 1 and 1/2 times the diameter of the bolt engaged in the thread. So if your using a. 1/2" bolt you want 3/4" of. thread, 1" bolt you want 1 1/2" of thread and so on. Now they are adjustable ends so they are going to move but it gives you a place to start.

Edited: 2/9/2010 12:55:20 PM by 1lowdiesel

i've built plenty of traction bars set ups for 400+ hp diesel trucks and never once had a problem. not saying i would use it for link bars but...

seamless schedule 80 (or extra heavy wall as its often called) or maybe even shedule 40 is plenty strong for tensile strength. if it's only going to be non load bearing. but use tube like everyone says because i have no idea what your setup will be like.

---------------------------------------------Originally posted by SledNeck91604Edited: 2/8/2010 10:10:20 PM by SledNeck91604One is measured in ID, the other is measured in OD... There is a difference for a reason, be cheap but don't be dumb..--------------------------------------------- correct, because pipe is used for plumbing water and gas to go in ground and in buildings, in the construction field they dont have time to paint it or prime it for protection so its coated from the foundary,(so the condisation and elements dont rust it.also for the size diff. has ALL!!! to do with the "FITTINGS" that are used to connect everything, elbows, 45s, Ts, ect., you cut your pipe to length throw it in the threader and continue working. being i work in the construction field and know many "pipe fitters" by trade, they weld this sht all day long, holding more PSI of water/gas than you might know, they cap all lines at there jct. with pressure guages.    also i do not believe DOM is stronger than HREW, as i have tested them with a "SPECRO" when i used to do metal analysis and they are exactly the same, only diff. is DOM is extruded and the HREW is hot rolled and then welded, so you see the weld seem.   and FYI chris, when i first started my fab shop, people like SD was not around to just order up bungs, and going to the machine shop and having them built was alot more than 5 bucks, meerly cause they had to build quantity to make it worth while for them, thornbeck has saved alot!!!! of time for both amatures and advanced builders.  so for this guys OG question. yes you can use pipe, shd 40 or 80, 40 is about 3/16 thick wall and 80 is about 1/4 wall.. . and if you are confident in welding....have at it, make sure you do your good "V" grooves and make sure you get good hot penatration with the weld and you will be fine.