For Motorcycle fans getting thrilled when they spot vintage iron, understand that most likely it was not that pretty when the owner took on the project. Most vintage enthusiasts have to complete some form of restoration with their vintage steed before allowing the motorcycle to hit the road. Here, we will examine what it requires to put life to an old tank that has been battered after several years of reliable 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 affected with a very common ailment. Notches, grinds, and file marks left behind from its time when it was uncool to put those stock insignias and fancy fit. In those days, the hipster needed a "smooth" motorcycle. Out went the designs and sugar canes and in came the bondo and sleek slimmed necks. To treat this challenge and get the tank to its ideal appearance, you could re-introduce new bondo. But wait, what about putting all new badges on and making this old fuel tank into its former stock glory? You can't simply leave all the screwdriver bruises and pry scars! Well, why not simply take all the dents using a slide hammer? Seems like a bunch of ups and downs. What about water and a freezer? It will most likely turn it into a shape of a football. The question is, what do 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 brief run through about the English Wheel, simple and crude equipment that pushes the metal from the two dies work with the metal. You can create concave, convex, or compound curves to metal utilizing this straightforward wheeling device. You may also create sheets with it. Understand that you'll be stretching the metal while you roll and it gets thinner and thinner the longer you work it out. Additionally, it can also become denser. That said, when you have a factory drawn piece, you might want to ensure never to change its measurements. Take it easy over the amount of time in the wheel. The vision is bringing the gas tank back to original 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 be sure your fuel tank remains to be retaining its profile, so it's best to fit the inside pane back in and check for faults. With this, the task was completed properly as well as the outline of the fuel tank hasn't been changed. Also observe that fuel tank's mounting tabs were not taken out. This is essential, as it would most likely produce more work and potential issues.
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 confirmed you're done with the repairs, try adding on the factory tank strips as well as other things which were hacked off many years ago.
9. In the end, you should have a nice and very straight stock fuel tank to send to the 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 affected with a very common ailment. Notches, grinds, and file marks left behind from its time when it was uncool to put those stock insignias and fancy fit. In those days, the hipster needed a "smooth" motorcycle. Out went the designs and sugar canes and in came the bondo and sleek slimmed necks. To treat this challenge and get the tank to its ideal appearance, you could re-introduce new bondo. But wait, what about putting all new badges on and making this old fuel tank into its former stock glory? You can't simply leave all the screwdriver bruises and pry scars! Well, why not simply take all the dents using a slide hammer? Seems like a bunch of ups and downs. What about water and a freezer? It will most likely turn it into a shape of a football. The question is, what do 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 brief run through about the English Wheel, simple and crude equipment that pushes the metal from the two dies work with the metal. You can create concave, convex, or compound curves to metal utilizing this straightforward wheeling device. You may also create sheets with it. Understand that you'll be stretching the metal while you roll and it gets thinner and thinner the longer you work it out. Additionally, it can also become denser. That said, when you have a factory drawn piece, you might want to ensure never to change its measurements. Take it easy over the amount of time in the wheel. The vision is bringing the gas tank back to original 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 be sure your fuel tank remains to be retaining its profile, so it's best to fit the inside pane back in and check for faults. With this, the task was completed properly as well as the outline of the fuel tank hasn't been changed. Also observe that fuel tank's mounting tabs were not taken out. This is essential, as it would most likely produce more work and potential issues.
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 confirmed you're done with the repairs, try adding on the factory tank strips as well as other things which were hacked off many years ago.
9. In the end, you should have a nice and very straight stock fuel tank to send to the 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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Bear in mind that it is necessary to always make sure you cruise with your motorcycle with caution. Always make sure you wear real motorcycle helmets.
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