replacement for C1095 rod

[buell2000]

Hello
I am restoring a 29 Indian Motorcycle. The seat hoop was originally made from 5/16" C1095 rod, was trying to stay true to original however cannot find any unless I want 1000 feet. What would be a good equivalent? I was told by someone that has made a few years ago with C1095 locally heated area to be bent and did not heat treat after and did not have any issues. The sharpest bend is 90 degrees.
Thanks for any assistance

 

[swall]

I would suggest 4140, annealed drill rod or annealed O1 tool steel. You can buy these in small quantities in 5/16 diameter from McMaster-Carr. The drill rod will be the closest, composition wise, to 1095. Another possibility, if you have a spring manufacturer close by,would be to ask them to sell you some oil tempered wire or hard drawn wire. Is the '29 a 101 Scout?

 

[dbooker630]

If the C1095 was microalloyed with vanadium or niobium, then it is possible to air cool from bending temperature and develop properties similar to quench and tempered material.

 

[buell2000]

Hi Swall
Thanks for info. Yes it is a 29 101 scout.
What bikes are you into?
Have already been to the local spring guy here. Smalltown answer "yeah we can order something"
With the 4140 annealed would it have to be heat treated? I have worked a little with 4140 found it to be brittle in the heat treated condition.

 

[swall]

If you get the 4140 in the "as-rolled" condition (rather than annealed as I implied) , it probably would not need to be heat treated. In bending, heating to red hot always helps.In heating and bending 4140, it would tend to revert to the same strength as the as-rolled rod you started with.