Tank idea

OpTiCz

Coast to Coast
Has anyone tried cutting our symmetrical shapes on each side off the tank, then welded the cut outs in on the opposite side, essentially inverting the panel? Seems cleaner than pounding in knee dents. I'd like to see any pics or write ups if anyone has done this....

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Swivel said:
On a similar notion,I'm amazed people don't go to junk yards and cut out complex curves like bits of 50's cars bodies and VW beetle fenders to make tanks and fenders.Older cars would have panel metal that is a least as thick as Jap tanks.'59 Caddy tailfin and light cafe seat hump anybody? VW beetle bike fender made from VW fender bits with a 50's VW tail light?


??? you apparently haven't been to a junk yard in a while...... those cars are long gone! you find a yard w/ 59' Caddy parts you call me!!! ;D
folks have been chopping tanks like that since the 60's. long before the "aftermarket" was born.
 
Sheet metal is pretty cheap, surely that's an option too? Most knee cut outs seem to be only bent in 1 plane, especially the squarer tanks.
 
As far as welding the tank, I was going to try that. Then I has to repair a small hole on the side with a piece of metal that I had formed into shape. Boy was it a birch getting the tank water tight with a MIG welder and not warp the steel. If I had a tug or was a better welded, then maybe I would try the cut out method. Till then my hammer is my friend. On another note, I just purchased a spare tank off eBay for $30. I may play with some ideas for practice.
 
I wouldn't want to attempt welding a tank with MIG. TIG is the only way to go, IMO. TIG is slower, but you can get much more consistent welds that don't require a lot of dressing off afterward.
 
Swivel said:
On a similar notion,I'm amazed people don't go to junk yards and cut out complex curves like bits of 50's cars bodies and VW beetle fenders to make tanks and fenders.Older cars would have panel metal that is a least as thick as Jap tanks.'59 Caddy tailfin and light cafe seat hump anybody? VW beetle bike fender made from VW fender bits with a 50's VW tail light?


Ive always wanted to take half a rear end of a 59' Caddy and stick it on a bike....for no other reason than ....hmmm i wonder what that would look like???...
 
I still gas weld.
TIG wasn't available to mere mortals in the 70's (at least not at prices most shops could afford)
 
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