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Message started by gdrseeker on 02/15/13 at 17:43:44

Title: My New Tank with NO Speedometer (Thanks Dave)
Post by gdrseeker on 02/15/13 at 17:43:44

So I bought this tank from Dave.
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1357845594

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a521/gdrseeker/34t524z_zpsd9192d14.jpg

I am in the process painting the tank and adding a speedometer from Dime City Cycles.

I bought some 16 Gage sheet metal, made some measurements, and cut out my bracket with a ban saw using the metal cutting blade.
I used my grinder and buff out the edges. I then drilled the holes and painted the bracket. It mounted perfect.

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a521/gdrseeker/IMAG0004_zpse8f91608.jpg

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a521/gdrseeker/IMAG0016_zps6aa9c496.jpg

I was able to complete the wiring for the led lights on my new speedometer by replacing the 9 pin connecter with new male and
female ones from Radio shack. (I could have connected the wires permanently with solder and shrink tube, but decided to use the
connecters in case there is a reason to ever go back to the old tank.)

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a521/gdrseeker/IMAG0018_zpsd04c9dd1.jpg

Doing a rattle can paint job. I have completed several coats of black,
wet sanding with 1500 grit sandpaper in between coats.

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a521/gdrseeker/IMAG0022_zps7961bd0d.jpg

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a521/gdrseeker/IMAG0021_zpsd1df7d04.jpg

I will be adding some color, a design of some type, but not sure.
I was thinking either racing stripe one large and one small ..off center,
or a flame type job like this one.

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1338248877

Any suggestions........

Am I supposed to wet sand after the color design I do?
Do I wet sand in between clear coats? Won't that dull the clear?

Title: Re: My New Tank with NO Speedometer (Thanks Dave)
Post by jcstokes on 02/15/13 at 23:18:37

Like the speedo mounting, shouldn't vibrate the way you have set up. still room for a Dime City, or whatever rev counter mounted on the bars

Title: Re: My New Tank with NO Speedometer (Thanks Dave)
Post by mpescatori on 02/16/13 at 07:59:46

Wonderful, GDRSeeker ! I have the same speedo, albeit with km/h reading.

What kind of cable do you plan to use ?
I was told an old Suzuki tachometer cable from the old GS/GSX of the '80s was a good option.

Let us know if you have any speedo issues ;)

Title: Re: My New Tank with NO Speedometer (Thanks Dave)
Post by WD on 02/16/13 at 13:46:14

1500 grit between coats is way too fine. You may have some layer separation, the paint usually needs a bit more "tooth" to get a mechanical as well as chemical bond to the underlying layers. Generally, all your color coats are laid down within the working window specified by the paint manufacturer. Final coat, the thickest, wettest one, is usually the only one sanded unless you get debris in the paint. Applies to colors and clears.

My tank has been curing for almost a year. Time to sand out the dust, respray the top color coat and prep it for the final design layer... I'm going with old school lace, a light color over the dark base, kind of "ghosted" or misted on. Cream over orange...

I like that DCC speedometer, may have to use my discount and order one for my bike. I like the smooth tank look and the stock speedo is deceased anyway. I've got a high enough post count on another forum to get 10% off anything I order at DCC... ::)

Title: Re: My New Tank with NO Speedometer (Thanks Dave)
Post by gdrseeker on 02/16/13 at 14:46:58

Here is what I decided to do.

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a521/gdrseeker/IMAG0042_zps60f52b26.jpg

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a521/gdrseeker/IMAG0041_zpsb81b67b0.jpg

So now that I have the tank colors complete do I sand before adding my clear coat? or will it mess things up?

Do I sand in between clear coats, or just lay one thick clear coat down and be done?

Title: Re: My New Tank with NO Speedometer (Thanks Dave)
Post by gdrseeker on 02/17/13 at 14:38:35

So I think I researched and confirmed no sanding before adding the clear coat, and no sanding in between clear coats. I will be using the Spray Max 2k. After 4 coats of clear I will sand down the orange peel, then i will use mild rubbing compound to bring back the gloss.

Title: Re: My New Tank with NO Speedometer (Thanks Dave)
Post by Dave on 02/18/13 at 05:32:25

The tank looks great!

I have nothing to offer about spray can paint....I use a clear coat with an activator that is applied with a spray gun. The good news is that the black paint won't show fuel staining like a lighter color would.

Title: Re: My New Tank with NO Speedometer (Thanks Dave)
Post by WD on 02/18/13 at 08:36:44

Looks good. Some very minor texture, but unless you are building a show bike I'd roll with it. A very light scuffing before clear is common with 2 part paints, with rattle can it may cause the paints to react with each other and wrinkle. I stayed with one brand for primer, color and clear on my headlight, and it wrinkled 3 times before I decided enough was enough and threw the clear away. ;D

Title: Re: My New Tank with NO Speedometer (Thanks Dave)
Post by Jiggyfly on 02/23/13 at 06:13:22

Looks great! Especially for a rattle can.

Title: Re: My New Tank with NO Speedometer (Thanks Dave)
Post by Jeff Jopling on 02/23/13 at 14:22:36

If anybody has another tank like this I would love to buy it off them.

Title: Re: My New Tank with NO Speedometer (Thanks Dave)
Post by teabowl13 on 02/23/13 at 14:39:25

313E3D3D31342B5B0 wrote:

If anybody has another tank like this I would love to buy it off them.

I'm pretty sure that guy made just one of these; i don't think it was too complicated; cut out the stock speedo sleeve, and weld it over. Then patch the bottom of the tank too. Only the top part needs to be pretty. I'm willing to bet that if you found a tank; especially one that's cheap and not pristine to begin with, you could find a body shop guy willing to do the welding pretty easily. Then it's just bondo and sanding....

Title: Re: My New Tank with NO Speedometer (Thanks Dave)
Post by Jeff Jopling on 02/24/13 at 09:58:32

well I guess off to ebay to find a cheap tank then haha

Title: Re: My New Tank with NO Speedometer (Thanks Dave)
Post by gdrseeker on 03/01/13 at 00:53:37

Update:

I sanded the tank again to get rid of more orange peel before doing my clear coat.

This is part of the way through, I continued to sand until all the specks were smooth.

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a521/gdrseeker/IMAG0054_zpsb3770dae.jpg

I used 1500 grit wet sand. I would have used 2000 as a final if I could have found it locally.

I applied 4 coats of clear SprayMax 2k. after it dried a few days I sanded again using the 1500 grit wet sand.

I then buffed using rubbing compound, then polished with a high gloss.

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a521/gdrseeker/IMAG0063_zps181a8551.jpg

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a521/gdrseeker/IMAG0065_zpsb4ca1c59.jpg

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a521/gdrseeker/IMAG0066_zps3ef62f7c.jpg

Title: Re: My New Tank with NO Speedometer (Thanks Dave)
Post by Dave on 03/01/13 at 06:22:52

You did a great job....Glad the tank got a good home and a dedicated owner.

It will be interesting to see how much extra fuel the tank has.....and if you can now go farther than the 100 miles that most of us plan on between fuel stops.

Dave

Title: Re: My New Tank with NO Speedometer (Thanks Dave)
Post by teabowl13 on 03/01/13 at 13:19:18

Yeah! That looks great!
All that sanding is a lot of work, but it's what really makes the difference. I'm sure that looks totally professional in person.
Are you going to paint the fenders to match? It would be cool to see that red strip carry through across both of the fenders...

Title: Re: My New Tank with NO Speedometer (Thanks Dave)
Post by KennyG on 03/01/13 at 22:31:48

What risers and handlebars are shown in the pics?

Title: Re: My New Tank with NO Speedometer (Thanks Dave)
Post by gdrseeker on 03/01/13 at 22:47:35

For now I painted the front fender balck only. I plan on doing a bobber rear fender and seat probably next winter. I will probably do the red stripe on both fenders at that time. My wife said I gota stop spending money on the bike for a while LOL. :P

Title: Re: My New Tank with NO Speedometer (Thanks Dave)
Post by gdrseeker on 03/01/13 at 23:18:48

The Handlebars are

Khrome Werks Black Standard Drag Bars
http://www.jpcycles.com/product/404-949

The Risers are

DIY Risers for $15
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1306027682

Title: Re: My New Tank with NO Speedometer (Thanks Dave)
Post by RAVAGE-SAVAGE on 03/03/13 at 19:45:47

Really like the color combo, it makes it your own. Very good job for shaker paint. Is this tank any larger than stock? If so, by how much gal wise?

Title: Re: My New Tank with NO Speedometer (Thanks Dave)
Post by mikey2004 on 03/03/13 at 20:34:38

beautiful bike. great job with the tank. now your moking me wish i had bought that from Dave.. question though. what are you doing with your old tank.? if you still have it and its in good shape let me know a price. mine has a few dents in it from the P.O. punching it. i dont care about the paint. im having my bike painted soon enough anyway.

Title: Re: My New Tank with NO Speedometer (Thanks Dave)
Post by gdrseeker on 03/06/13 at 08:26:37

I think I am going to take it to a body shop and have them modify it like Dave did. Not sure what they will charge, if it is under $100 I might do it. If it is too much I might strip it down and just paint it with the spedo intact. I was thinking of trying a two tone flame design now that I have some rattle can experience.

@ RAVAGE-SAVAGE

I think it is only a little bit bigger. I would guess it holds about a Quart or so more gas. That plus the Raptor petcock I would say I can go about 30 more miles on a tank ......thats a guess I will try to test it soon and let ya know.

Title: Re: My New Tank with NO Speedometer (Thanks Dave)
Post by mikey2004 on 03/06/13 at 08:51:24

If u wanna sell it let me know. Mine has a huge dent