Cafe tank mod progress

[TajMan]

first try with torch and solder no good it seems, I'll try some different flux now..

[Ivan]

You'll want to be sure and use acid flux and acid core solder. Rosin just won't cut it on steel, which is a bitch to solder anyway. If you have access to an oxy-acetylene or oxy=propane torch, I have always found brazing with brass much easier on steel, but not everyone has that available.

FWIW, I like your design. I am looking forward to seeing the end result.

One other question, why not fill the pinholes with some gas tank repair epoxy from Autobone and then use some normal body filler to fill the large stuff. That has to be cheaper than buying JB failed by the gallon, I would think. Just wondering...

[TajMan]

I have some JB weld lying around, didn't/don't use very much of it..

I've just got a Mapp gas torch, I'll look for acid-core solder..

[TajMan]

I've got just a small bit of acid core solder, about to try..

Here are pics of current state, you can see metal welding should be done and its all sanded down.
If I weld on a little more steel (in the top leading edge of my side indents), it will be to assist in my bondo shaping that comes next.

[exquized1]

I love the look. I want to make my special tank bigger so people don't have to wait while I fill up twice to their once.

[Cobia]

Those indents are starting to look like shark gills.... call it MAKO!!!!!

[Ivan]

I have some JB weld lying around, didn't/don't use very much of it..

I've just got a Mapp gas torch, I'll look for acid-core solder..

Well, that's definitely cheaper than buying new stuff. hehe.

[Bigfoot]

That is looking pretty nice. Thanks for the pics and updates. It is nice to watch custom work in progress.

[jmnjrpa]

What did you use to cut the tank? I am working on one myself. Trying to keep the basic original shape but enlarged. Was trying to use cutoff wheel on a air die grinder but it seems to take too long.

[jmnjrpa]

Here's pics. I hope! The tank is an extra. Bike is almost finished. Have black gloss ceramic paint that is going on the pipes and am going to gold plate the slides on the forks. Also have a high back seat to install. Will reinstall the K/Q seat ,bags and windjammer for touring.

http://s561.photobucket.com/albums/ss60/jmnjrpa/

[Wildkat]

I don't know if I reduced the mileage that much with reducing tank size, but I fixed the big dent first and THAT was reducing size a bit.

I'm guessing you're going to lose around a 1/4 gallon capacity by doing that (a little more than the crease you had) but if you aren't looking for long range... no biggie... it looks cool (and MUCH better than the crease)
and as has been already said... is definitely unique...

Here's pics. I hope! The tank is an extra. Bike is almost finished. Have black gloss ceramic paint that is going on the pipes and am going to gold plate the slides on the forks. Also have a high back seat to install. Will reinstall the K/Q seat ,bags and windjammer for touring.

http://s561.photobucket.com/albums/ss60/jmnjrpa/

That sounds awesome and the bike already looks REALLY good!
John had thought about enlarging a tank as well... but one thing that came into play was the bottom of the tank... What's your plan for working around the tunnel?

[latexeses]

Have you tried the petcock clearance in the tank??

[jmnjrpa]

Not changing the bottom of tank at all, Kat. I am expanding the top. The dimensions on the tank is where and how much I am expanding it. Yeah, I talked to John about it and he showed me his tank he had worked on. Thought he was headed where I wanted to go. Thanks on the bike. I hope to have it completed within a couple of weeks. Added powder coating to my arsenal and just purchased a sand blaster and oven ( allright, a used 30" kitchen oven but it will do most parts). One of these days I am going to post pics of my shop. I might have to remove my address when I do.
Just kidding!! I would be glad to share! Hell, my whole family borrows (???) it.

[jmnjrpa]

Tajman

The tank looks really good. You can sure see you have put a lot of elbow grease into it. What are you going to use to clean it out with? Did you coat the innards? I was wondering if that might be a good idea? Don't know what to use but I know fresh welded steel rusts like a SOB. I am going to have the same issue if it does.

[xs11head]

That tank looks cool like the others said(the shark).