Can This Be Done This Way
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Springfield Mo
Reshaping. Thats what I would try also.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
The silicone will more than likely dull the clearcoat. Some will, some won't.
I often replace medallions on tanks I repair and paint. There is usually a position on the tank that matches the medallion fairly well. You need to find that spot. The medallion can be carefully bent to conform to the tank. Use the 3m double side tape.
I often replace medallions on tanks I repair and paint. There is usually a position on the tank that matches the medallion fairly well. You need to find that spot. The medallion can be carefully bent to conform to the tank. Use the 3m double side tape.
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
Dave ~ That Sounds Pretty Good However
Hey Just Dave 
About putting the medallion in my vise ~ No Good. Its White Metal,I use my magnet to it and no sticky. Either its plastic covered with chrome or whatever.So the bending idea is OUT.
Now the comb. of Silicone & Double Side Tape sound pretty good to me.I've used the wet finger trick with silicone before.I pretty good with this. Part of the side front of the medallion sticks good to the tank.
But as I place it dry on the tank to see how it will take.The medallion starts Openning-Up thru the middle its at its WIDENESS 1/16th.
The silicone will definetly cover-up the gaps nicely on top & bottom of the medallion.
How I will do it is: Have pan/bucket of clear water nearby.Bounty Towels & keep on cleaning my finger each time I smooth-out the silicone. Unless you have a better idea for
cleanly smoothing out the gap
About putting the medallion in my vise ~ No Good. Its White Metal,I use my magnet to it and no sticky. Either its plastic covered with chrome or whatever.So the bending idea is OUT.
Now the comb. of Silicone & Double Side Tape sound pretty good to me.I've used the wet finger trick with silicone before.I pretty good with this. Part of the side front of the medallion sticks good to the tank.
But as I place it dry on the tank to see how it will take.The medallion starts Openning-Up thru the middle its at its WIDENESS 1/16th.
The silicone will definetly cover-up the gaps nicely on top & bottom of the medallion.
How I will do it is: Have pan/bucket of clear water nearby.Bounty Towels & keep on cleaning my finger each time I smooth-out the silicone. Unless you have a better idea for
cleanly smoothing out the gap
I would put those in a vise with plastic jaws and bend the top and bottom so they fit snug and then just use 3-m tape around the edges and not worry about the hollow in the middle. That silicone is messy but if you are insistent on using it I would not let it dry before removing the excess. Practice applying it and you will find there is no need to have so much extra. Wet you finger tips with water and wipe the excess off an inch at a time while wiping your fingers clean every time you lift on a clean piece of cardboard. I would still use tape myself though.
Just keep cleaning your fingers and keep them wet. Use a piece of cardboard or something hard to wipe them every time because paper towels will want to stick to the silicone and be aggravating. I am a cabinet man by profession so I caulk every day when I work and I always just use cardboard or a scrap of wood and always wipe off my finger in a new spot. If the water makes it shrink excessively just touch it up after it dries good, usually overnight.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
Well - i don't like the project to be honest - that medalion is not designed to fit the profile. Having said that I'd probably try to make an interposer from a stiff material that can be cast and then filed/carved. Gray epoxy might work. The interposer needs to be worked on the bench (not on the bike).
Bottom line is that I din't think you'll be pleased with the results regardless of what you do.
Bottom line is that I din't think you'll be pleased with the results regardless of what you do.
Schooner,
I am doing this project as well for my 2010 FLHP Police Road King....
The Medallions are right and left - just in case you did not know this. Also as mentioned by Nearmiss, there is a "sweet-spot" of where those Medallions have to be put on the gas tank. You may have to move them more forward towards the front of the bike than you would like to.
There is also a difference in the 5 gallon tanks and 6 gallon tanks - I do not know what bike you have and what year - so certain medallions won't work on certain tanks.
And while some are suggesting you bend the medallions - some you CAN bend and some you can't. The ones you have, you can't.
I am doing this project as well for my 2010 FLHP Police Road King....
The Medallions are right and left - just in case you did not know this. Also as mentioned by Nearmiss, there is a "sweet-spot" of where those Medallions have to be put on the gas tank. You may have to move them more forward towards the front of the bike than you would like to.
There is also a difference in the 5 gallon tanks and 6 gallon tanks - I do not know what bike you have and what year - so certain medallions won't work on certain tanks.
And while some are suggesting you bend the medallions - some you CAN bend and some you can't. The ones you have, you can't.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
Good point
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 253
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From the looks of that last photo, it looks like that medallion needs to go on the other side of the tank & moved farther forward to match the decreased radius of curvature towards the front of the tank. If it has to fit the way you show it, it's not going to look right with that much filler behind it.
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 343
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From: Las Vegas
Just Dave " THANK YOU " 4 Your Expertees
Hey Just Dave 
That's expert advise Seals It For Me . . . no pun intented.
Yeah Dave I always had a very hard time cleaning-up my finger when going over the newly installed silicone.
Now thanks-2-U- Dave I'll definetly keep; cardboard/piece of wood very near by to clean my finger off; and going in the silicone again.
I'll be using the Double Sided Tape also & the silicone will close-up the gap on the top & bottom gaps on my new medallions.
I'll post pictures when I complete the project within the coming weeks.
That's expert advise Seals It For Me . . . no pun intented.
Yeah Dave I always had a very hard time cleaning-up my finger when going over the newly installed silicone.
Now thanks-2-U- Dave I'll definetly keep; cardboard/piece of wood very near by to clean my finger off; and going in the silicone again.
I'll be using the Double Sided Tape also & the silicone will close-up the gap on the top & bottom gaps on my new medallions.
I'll post pictures when I complete the project within the coming weeks.
Just keep cleaning your fingers and keep them wet. Use a piece of cardboard or something hard to wipe them every time because paper towels will want to stick to the silicone and be aggravating. I am a cabinet man by profession so I caulk every day when I work and I always just use cardboard or a scrap of wood and always wipe off my finger in a new spot. If the water makes it shrink excessively just touch it up after it dries good, usually overnight.