For Motorcycle buffs getting psyched when they spot old iron, do not forget that probably it didn't look that nice when the bike was being built. A lot of classic motorcycle fanatics must complete some sort of renovation to their classic steed before allowing the motorcycle to run the road. Today, we will take a quick look on what it takes to add some new life to a vintage tank that has been battered after years and years of dependable service.
Now you may have heard old wives' tales regarding filling tanks with water and freezing them to take out dents or similar to it, however, there is a proper way to accomplish this task and there's no smarter way than to take the fuel tank apart and treat the exact issue. Actual experience shows that you may commit about as much time or alternatively conserve time, by carrying out the right way the first go-around.
Below is a short overview of the procedures below:
1. Obviously, this gas tank is afflicted with a very common ailment. Notches, scratches, and file marks left behind from the '60s and '70s when it just wasn't cool to put those standard badges and fancy trim. In those days, the hipster needed a "smooth" bike. Out came the concepts and sugar canes which were followed by the bondo and sleek slimmed necks. To fix this challenge and have the fuel tank back in prime shape, you would reincarnate bondo. But wait how about adding brand new badges to it and turning this old tank to its former stock glory? You simply can't simply keep all the screwdriver dents and pry marks! Well, why not just get all of the dents using a slide hammer? Sounds like lots of highs and lows. Say, freezing water in the tank? It will most likely transform it right into a form of a football. So, what can you do?
2. The solution is relatively easy. Just, work the back welds down on a 45-degree angle, and separate the fuel tank sections similar to the factory made them. You might discover the two halves were built on tooling and there is a lip pressed on the internal gas tank section for contour and weld penetration on the inside pattern. It's a good habit to tighten up and leave through the petcock before taking your good old fuel tank separated from each other. If you take the petcock without care, your effort may take the alignment out and your petcocks will no longer seal, resulting in leaks.
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3. Next, you must do a quick run through over the English Wheel, simple and raw equipment that pushes the sheets from the two dies to shape the metal. It is possible to create round, bent, or complex figures into metal with this straightforward wheeling machine. You may also create sheets with it. Understand that you are stressing the metal as you roll and it gets thinner and thinner the more you work it out. In addition, it will likely become denser. Considering this, if you have a manufactured stock piece, you should ensure not to change its sizing. So go easy over the amount of time in the wheel. The objective is reconstructing the gas tank to what it was before, and not something new.
4. Defects that cannot be removed include grind scratches and an old fix down the middle of the fuel tank where the tack was taken out through the metal. You won't be able to get rid of grind marks in steel until you stretch out and thin the metal past the deepness of the grind scar, this will significantly change the form of the gas tank. You may also notice that there are several little blemishes around the rear of the gas tank where the English Wheel couldn't reach.
5. Next, it is advisable to make sure that your tank is still retaining its shape, so it is best to fit the inside pane back in and check for faults. With this, the work was done properly and the outline of the gas tank has not been changed. Also notice that fuel tank's installation tabs were not removed. This is crucial, since it would produce additional work and potential problems.
6. Then, carry out the small dents with a rounded hammer and dolly that you regularly use. It doesn't matter what you decide on. An experienced guy in metal craft can use everything to knock with. It's more or less like a feeling rather than utilizing tools with cool names. When you're hitting, you can feel and push your dolly (on the on the rear of the metal) across with your hammer. In this fashion, you may fix lines, dings, etc. with any shape dolly. The metal will appear marred once done but this certainly will emerge with an abrasive disc, sand paper, or quality made paint primer. Notice that the dings at the backside of the gas tank are gone.
7. Finally, weld the inside section back on ensuring to weld on the inside edge of the half tank and not the top. Factory welds were placed on the interior edge and the top side was clean. Try to simulate the "fish scale" look of the stock weld.
8. After you have checked for leakages and proven you're done with the repairs, you can include on the stock tank strips and any other things which were hacked off long ago.
9. In the end, you will have a good and very straight factory fuel tank to give to your painter.
This season, motorcycle runs are ready to begin from around the country. Countless riders will be gathering for roughly a week of festivity all for the love of bikes. There will be a lot of stories and building tips to trade with new friends as you go along with the rally. Be sure to ride protected and equip the required safety gear like DOT certified carbon fiber helmets. Good luck and happy riding.
Now you may have heard old wives' tales regarding filling tanks with water and freezing them to take out dents or similar to it, however, there is a proper way to accomplish this task and there's no smarter way than to take the fuel tank apart and treat the exact issue. Actual experience shows that you may commit about as much time or alternatively conserve time, by carrying out the right way the first go-around.
Below is a short overview of the procedures below:
1. Obviously, this gas tank is afflicted with a very common ailment. Notches, scratches, and file marks left behind from the '60s and '70s when it just wasn't cool to put those standard badges and fancy trim. In those days, the hipster needed a "smooth" bike. Out came the concepts and sugar canes which were followed by the bondo and sleek slimmed necks. To fix this challenge and have the fuel tank back in prime shape, you would reincarnate bondo. But wait how about adding brand new badges to it and turning this old tank to its former stock glory? You simply can't simply keep all the screwdriver dents and pry marks! Well, why not just get all of the dents using a slide hammer? Sounds like lots of highs and lows. Say, freezing water in the tank? It will most likely transform it right into a form of a football. So, what can you do?
2. The solution is relatively easy. Just, work the back welds down on a 45-degree angle, and separate the fuel tank sections similar to the factory made them. You might discover the two halves were built on tooling and there is a lip pressed on the internal gas tank section for contour and weld penetration on the inside pattern. It's a good habit to tighten up and leave through the petcock before taking your good old fuel tank separated from each other. If you take the petcock without care, your effort may take the alignment out and your petcocks will no longer seal, resulting in leaks.
-
3. Next, you must do a quick run through over the English Wheel, simple and raw equipment that pushes the sheets from the two dies to shape the metal. It is possible to create round, bent, or complex figures into metal with this straightforward wheeling machine. You may also create sheets with it. Understand that you are stressing the metal as you roll and it gets thinner and thinner the more you work it out. In addition, it will likely become denser. Considering this, if you have a manufactured stock piece, you should ensure not to change its sizing. So go easy over the amount of time in the wheel. The objective is reconstructing the gas tank to what it was before, and not something new.
4. Defects that cannot be removed include grind scratches and an old fix down the middle of the fuel tank where the tack was taken out through the metal. You won't be able to get rid of grind marks in steel until you stretch out and thin the metal past the deepness of the grind scar, this will significantly change the form of the gas tank. You may also notice that there are several little blemishes around the rear of the gas tank where the English Wheel couldn't reach.
5. Next, it is advisable to make sure that your tank is still retaining its shape, so it is best to fit the inside pane back in and check for faults. With this, the work was done properly and the outline of the gas tank has not been changed. Also notice that fuel tank's installation tabs were not removed. This is crucial, since it would produce additional work and potential problems.
6. Then, carry out the small dents with a rounded hammer and dolly that you regularly use. It doesn't matter what you decide on. An experienced guy in metal craft can use everything to knock with. It's more or less like a feeling rather than utilizing tools with cool names. When you're hitting, you can feel and push your dolly (on the on the rear of the metal) across with your hammer. In this fashion, you may fix lines, dings, etc. with any shape dolly. The metal will appear marred once done but this certainly will emerge with an abrasive disc, sand paper, or quality made paint primer. Notice that the dings at the backside of the gas tank are gone.
7. Finally, weld the inside section back on ensuring to weld on the inside edge of the half tank and not the top. Factory welds were placed on the interior edge and the top side was clean. Try to simulate the "fish scale" look of the stock weld.
8. After you have checked for leakages and proven you're done with the repairs, you can include on the stock tank strips and any other things which were hacked off long ago.
9. In the end, you will have a good and very straight factory fuel tank to give to your painter.
This season, motorcycle runs are ready to begin from around the country. Countless riders will be gathering for roughly a week of festivity all for the love of bikes. There will be a lot of stories and building tips to trade with new friends as you go along with the rally. Be sure to ride protected and equip the required safety gear like DOT certified carbon fiber helmets. Good luck and happy riding.
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Remember that it is very important to always make sure you travel with your bike with safety. Make it a point that you wear authentic carbon fiber helmets that are certified by DOT.
