Tank S-T-R-E-T-C-H (or just stretch)
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
Tank S-T-R-E-T-C-H (or just stretch)
OK so here is what I've been doing in my not-so-much spare time lately due to working out of state and then on vacation in Utah:
I have been wanting to stretch my gas tank for some time, so
I scored a decent FI gas tank on eBay a few weeks ago as a donor, complete with hot pink lettering by artist "Sonny 2004".
Apologies to "Sonny 2004" wherever you are, fantastic brush control but pink just isn't my gig. Here I added cardboard for making the initial template.
Then on to the sand blaster to strip paint from the lower quarter.
And,actually tacking on the final sheet metal. Cut the sheet metal out from the template, and rolled into shape by use of large PVC pipes I had laying around.
I'm actually after a long stretch of about 4", and of course I'll have my seat redone which is part of the big plan overall.
More welding to do, bodywork, sealing the tank, all ahead...
I have been wanting to stretch my gas tank for some time, so
I scored a decent FI gas tank on eBay a few weeks ago as a donor, complete with hot pink lettering by artist "Sonny 2004".
Apologies to "Sonny 2004" wherever you are, fantastic brush control but pink just isn't my gig. Here I added cardboard for making the initial template.
Then on to the sand blaster to strip paint from the lower quarter.
And,actually tacking on the final sheet metal. Cut the sheet metal out from the template, and rolled into shape by use of large PVC pipes I had laying around.
I'm actually after a long stretch of about 4", and of course I'll have my seat redone which is part of the big plan overall.
More welding to do, bodywork, sealing the tank, all ahead...
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 561
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
RE: Tank S-T-R-E-T-C-H (or just stretch)
I think that stretch will look really good along with that sweeping rear fender. The right seat will carry that flowing line all the way through. Nice!
RE: Tank S-T-R-E-T-C-H (or just stretch)
Very nice, chops! Have you done this kind of work before, or is this a first attempt at sheet metal fabrication? It looks very professional at this point!
Good luck and keep us posted!
Steve
Good luck and keep us posted!
Steve
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
RE: Tank S-T-R-E-T-C-H (or just stretch)
Thanks guys,
I'll be doing some bodywork to it this weekend I think.
This is my first tank, I'm not a pro byany"stretch" (rimshot.. lol)but enjoy doing design.
The seat is the last part of the puzzle as I stated above, the seat I'm using now is made for a stock setup. There's a guy in town that does custom seats for everybody around here, I'll have him make up a custom to fit my setup now, just haven't finalized the skins I want to use but leaning towards a croc/ostrich combo.
More later..............................
I'll be doing some bodywork to it this weekend I think.
This is my first tank, I'm not a pro byany"stretch" (rimshot.. lol)but enjoy doing design.
The seat is the last part of the puzzle as I stated above, the seat I'm using now is made for a stock setup. There's a guy in town that does custom seats for everybody around here, I'll have him make up a custom to fit my setup now, just haven't finalized the skins I want to use but leaning towards a croc/ostrich combo.
More later..............................
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Gold Coast, Australia.
RE: Tank S-T-R-E-T-C-H (or just stretch)
It's going to look one sweet ride when it's finished... well done!
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Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
RE: Tank S-T-R-E-T-C-H (or just stretch)
Last installment of the tank project.
After much thought and dry fitting, I decided to do a mild tank lift, but in a much different way. With all that inaccessable OEM chrome on the heads, why keep it hidden under the tank? Made it impossible to clean that is for sure.
So, I toyed with it enough to decide on a 1" lift, butin FRONT AND BACK. This way, no fuel goes unused due to a tilted tank, and the rear jug is completely visible just like the front is now. Since I had a project tank to work with, and instead of using a tank lifter kit, I cut out longer tank mounting tabs that look identical to the OEM tabs by design, and welded them on. I am using a 1" spacer for the rear tank mounting tab.
Here are what the front tabs looked like before I welded:
And here is the finished tank. The pictures suck and don't do justice. This is the design I carried to the painter. Wonder where I got those pinstripe flame lick designs from??
(Actually I ripped them off from Willie G)
And a detailed shot of the stretch:
I have an appointment with the seat guy this week, I didn't upload any pictures of all this mounted b/c it is incomplete without the seat. I've already hacked up my seat to fit the new tank now, and it's not a pretty seat without a covering.
I think I'm going with atan leather sided seat with double stitched (red or black)pinstripe licks down the side, with cognac alligator belly for the seat top.
That was a good project to do. I'm running out of bike projects but the riding weather is great.
After much thought and dry fitting, I decided to do a mild tank lift, but in a much different way. With all that inaccessable OEM chrome on the heads, why keep it hidden under the tank? Made it impossible to clean that is for sure.
So, I toyed with it enough to decide on a 1" lift, butin FRONT AND BACK. This way, no fuel goes unused due to a tilted tank, and the rear jug is completely visible just like the front is now. Since I had a project tank to work with, and instead of using a tank lifter kit, I cut out longer tank mounting tabs that look identical to the OEM tabs by design, and welded them on. I am using a 1" spacer for the rear tank mounting tab.
Here are what the front tabs looked like before I welded:
And here is the finished tank. The pictures suck and don't do justice. This is the design I carried to the painter. Wonder where I got those pinstripe flame lick designs from??
(Actually I ripped them off from Willie G)
And a detailed shot of the stretch:
I have an appointment with the seat guy this week, I didn't upload any pictures of all this mounted b/c it is incomplete without the seat. I've already hacked up my seat to fit the new tank now, and it's not a pretty seat without a covering.
I think I'm going with atan leather sided seat with double stitched (red or black)pinstripe licks down the side, with cognac alligator belly for the seat top.
That was a good project to do. I'm running out of bike projects but the riding weather is great.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 5
From: Oregon
RE: Tank S-T-R-E-T-C-H (or just stretch)
Sweet....
Still got my original tins the dealer pulled off for me... for an 07 fatty...
Wonder if I should try to fab something.. its not like I don't have access to some of the best sheet metal shops around heh.. I do HVAC for a living
Keep us updated on the seat for your lifted stretched out masterpiece on that beautiful bike
Still got my original tins the dealer pulled off for me... for an 07 fatty...
Wonder if I should try to fab something.. its not like I don't have access to some of the best sheet metal shops around heh.. I do HVAC for a living
Keep us updated on the seat for your lifted stretched out masterpiece on that beautiful bike
