Triumphrat

Mancha · 05-04-2006

Not much to report, but the fabricator actually got a little done over the last, um, three weeks. Indents for the cam covers have been scooped out, and the petcock plate will be added next. We're getting there (SLOWLY but surely):

Still to finish on the pan: the cam cover indents; the ears for the rubber tank mounts (in front of the cam cover indents); the petcock plate; and the rear mount (which will be similar to the one on the stock tank, allowing the seat to slide in). Once the pan is firmly welded together, he will break the spot welds holding it to the tank, knock out some small dings in the tank, get rid of the rust on the inside, smooth the outside welds, and throw on the fuel cap. Then we'll check to see that all the welds are tight and no air is escaping, then seal the tank and do any last-minute bondo work on the outside. Wow, still a lot to do!

The stock tank has a breather hose exiting out the bottom of the tank. The hose connects to a steel tube that runs through the tank, poking its head up in the gas fill neck. The gas cap I've bought is vented to allow some air in. Do you guys think that will be sufficient, or do I need a breathing tube similar to the stock one?

ratcat · 05-04-2006

stock vent system is better I guess. On vented gas cap you can often find spot of fuel. I watch your interesting reports 'couse I try to fabricate some Thrux parts by myself too. Good lack, you need some more applause from us not to slow down :upthumb: .
Ratcat

Pete_Twizz · 05-04-2006

You mention getting rid of the rust on the inside. Any reason why you didn't make the tank from Aluminium? Since I discovered 'Lumiweld' (low temperature aluminium fusion welding) I've successfully repaired and fabricated several parts for my Panther project. Also a polished alloy tank looks the part.

Pete.

Thrux-ton-up · 05-04-2006

So....Close.... :hammer: Almost... finished...

JCW

blue-thrux · 05-04-2006

i know you cant wait till that tank is done!!!! im excited too. iseem to be fixated on changing my tank but the 1200 bucks just seems so expensive for a N.H. tank. have you guys ever seen a meca twin style tank for sale anywhere???

Mancha · 05-04-2006

Quote:

On 2006-05-04 03:23, Pete_Twizz wrote:
You mention getting rid of the rust on the inside. Any reason why you didn't make the tank from Aluminium? Since I discovered 'Lumiweld' (low temperature aluminium fusion welding) I've successfully repaired and fabricated several parts for my Panther project.

Hi Pete,

I had, in fact, actually intended this guy to make me a tank, and had even bought a sheet of aluminum for the project. The sheet, however, turned out to be too thick, and I sort of back-burnered that idea. Good thing too as if I'd had this guy start from scratch, it wouldn't be finished for ten years, and he'd have died before completing it anyway.

What we've done here is start with a stock Suzuki tank and make a new pan for it. The guy is making the pan from steel that he has lying around. I suggested my aluminum, but he said something about the difficulty of welding the resulting aluminum pan to the stock steel tank, and because he was actually making progress with the steel he had lying around, I didn't press him on the matter.

In effect, we're making do with what we have.

Thanks ratcat and T-Up for the encouragement.

With respect to my projects, I've always operated on the assumption that others might benefit from seeing the process. So I like to post pictures showing not only the end product, but the steps leading up to the end product as well.

sweatmachine · 05-04-2006

That's gonna be cool Mancha, I like how it will sit so close on the cam cover!

Keep the pictures coming!

THX1138 · 05-04-2006

It is looking good. Cant wait to see when it is done. :clap: :upthumb:

Mancha · 05-04-2006

Quote:

On 2006-05-04 16:24, THX1138 wrote:
Cant wait to see when it is done. :clap: :upthumb:

There's an optimistic assumption :wink:

Pete_Twizz · 05-05-2006

Good effort Mancha. Like so many home workshop projects, the motivation behind selection of material and process is often driven by what is available in the required time.

Keep it up, and I look forward to seeing the finished product.

Pete.