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my thoughts were its not the drain plug at all if it was it would be an easy fix good to see you found the problem. i cant understand why the damage never seen that before
My only hypothesis is that the tank was on some kind of custom bike, maybe an open belt or something Frankenstein like that, and something was banging into the underside of the tank. In stock configuration the tank and primary do not touch, in fact the rear heat shield goes between them so I know there is a space.
Dropped off at tank guy, he said no problem and should have it for me before the weekend. Also finally got my powder coating dropped off, he is only 1.5 miles from the radiator shop, so that worked out.
Picked up the tank, all fixed. Tank guy thinks it somehow rusted from the inside, never saw that on an oil tank. He didn't think it looked like it rubbed through. Either way, all fixed. I used the Permatex High Heat thread sealant on all fittings and drain plug, let it cure for over 24 hours. Filled the tank yesterday after work then went for a chilly shake down ride. All is well with the tank, no oil anywhere, pleased with the outcome. Black tank does look better than the chrome one, so we shall consider this an upgrade.
But right after I took these pictures, I went downstairs and coming back up the ramp I noticed the right side muffler hanging about 1-2 inches lower than the left. you guessed it, muffler bracket cracked right after the bolt to the frame!??!?!?!?!?
Fun with old bikes.
Leaving Thursday for the weekend at Oley, if I can't get her welded today, I will be adding a very ugly piece of steel to get me to Oley. I feel confident that there I can easily find a replacement.
Just trying to get the riding season started!??!!? And it supposedly snowed in Oley yesterday, but 70's for the weekend.
I will consider the thread complete, the oil leak which started as the drain plug, then evolved to a cracked tank, then a hole in the replacement tank is finally finished. Now I have a structural problem, but that should be an easy fix. Thanks for all the support and advice.
Looks great! Must be fun getting that bike up and down the cellar stairs! But seriously, I imagine there is a pin in the saddlebag latch, it's hard to see. Enjoy Oley!
Looks great! Must be fun getting that bike up and down the cellar stairs! But seriously, I imagine there is a pin in the saddlebag latch, it's hard to see. Enjoy Oley!
Ramp not stairs, you get used to it, after 20 years!!!!!
Repop bags, no pin, they are not going anywhere. Not saying better than factory, but they are definitely not flying off.
OK, I am pretty sure this is the final post and update.
Since I had the one exhaust bracket in my hand, I remembered Panz had a post a while ago that there was a left and right bracket, picture below stolen from his '65 Build thread:
I measured the "right" bracket in my hand and sure enough it was for the left side. Removed the left side, you guessed it, for the right side. At least I didn't have two of the same. Also having quickly painted my "left" side piece after being welded it was funny to find the right side one with a matching weld.
Fresh weld:
Old weld
I now have a matching set!?!?!??!?!?!
All bolted back up last night, took some effort to make it all right but back on and ready for Oley. Still need some alignment work but they seem a little it more even than before.
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