Reshaping the Standard Gas Tank

[nzemke]

So I poked around on the internet a little and couldn't seem to find the answer to what I was looking for. I would like to know if anyone else has attempted to reshape the 79 standard gas tank. What I had in mind was while I have the paint stripped, to add some bondo to the back area and smooth out the edges on the second half of the tank. Looking to give it more of the midnight special look without having to go and buy another gas tank. And $10 for a Qt seems a lot cheaper then $150 on ebay...especially since I would end up stripping and repainting it anyways.

Thanks ahead of time for any images that can be shared!

[crazy steve]

Eventually any bondo you use to 'extend' the tank will crack and/or fall off, I wouldn't try it.....

[natemoen]

So you are wanting the teardrop looking tank with the breadbox tanks capacity.

Bond is not going to do it for you. Bond is not meant to he layer on thick. If you try laying on bond 1/4" thick to try and smooth things it is all just going to pop off in one big sheet at some point. Bond is not supposed to be used how most people use it. It is only meant to fill small dents, not slathered on in thick layers to fill in holes in auto bodies or do reshaping of bodies. Any reshaping needs to be done with steel and a welder.

[mrhammer2u]

Sell your tank and buy my 79 Special. All prepped and ready for paint!

[Radioguylogs]

Fiberglass might work

I've done some durable jobs with fiberglass.

Bondo is polyester resin with talc powder as a filler. Not good for strength or moisture.

The fiberglass in a can is glass strands in polyester resin.

If you use the fiberglass in a can with the fiberglass cloth, it can be reasonably durable. My repaired 1971 Nova wheel wells lasted longer than the original ones.

[jwhughes3]

I am not sure he wants the capacity or just doesnt want to spend money. Adapting the XJ tank that is swoopy and bigger is the trick.

John

[nzemke]

At current I'm not concerned with capacity, but getting into the cosmetics of it.

[DiverRay]

Then the easy thing would be to find a donor Special tank. Bolts on, but the standard petcocks do NOT fit, but I think the 650/750 ones do fit.

[Jeffintampa]

I know

At current I'm not concerned with capacity, but getting into the cosmetics of it.

I am only getting 80 miles in town driving on a tank load.

[jetmechmarty]

Then the easy thing would be to find a donor Special tank. Bolts on, but the standard petcocks do NOT fit, but I think the 650/750 ones do fit.

Ray,
You have that backwards. The XS650 petcock shares bolt spacing with the XS1100 standard. The Eleven Special might be an oddball.