SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Gas tank question
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1369108587

Message started by Jiggyfly on 05/20/13 at 20:56:26

Title: Gas tank question
Post by Jiggyfly on 05/20/13 at 20:56:26

I want to weld a plate where the stock gauge cluster goes.....("gauges? We don't need no stinking gauges!").....what I want to know is, if I grind down that lip on the top of the tank, will the top piece & the tunnel separate when I get it ground to flat? Obviously I'm welding a plate in, so the top isn't a concern......but it cant be easy to get that seam rewelded from the bottom...... Are ya tracking with me, here??? Lol

I know, it sounds confusing......

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/JiggyFly6/8D5231FE-930F-430A-94DA-A6E47303CD2E-2602-00000220F5F03CEF.jpg

Title: Re: Gas tank question
Post by Jiggyfly on 05/20/13 at 20:59:22

yes, 1387 pics on my phone.....lol

Title: Re: Gas tank question
Post by Dave on 05/21/13 at 04:58:32

I have done one tank like you want. If you grind the lip down the inner piece does seperate - then you end up with a thin edged top that is hard to weld. It would be better to take a jig saw and cut around the outside of the vertical piece first - then remove some of the top of the inner speedometer hole. That way the top remains full thickness and is easier to weld. Cut a piece of shet metal and lightly shape a compound curve in it before welding it in and you won't need as much filler. Before you weld the top in, hold a piece of metal on the bottom and mark it for cutting - the bottom welds in much easier than the top as you don't need it to be butt welded. Drill a few holes in the side of the speedometer hole at the top and bottom before you weld the top and bottom shut......then it will add capacity to the fuel tank.

Title: Re: Gas tank question
Post by gdrseeker on 05/21/13 at 08:42:37

Dave did a good job on his tank. It looked like this when he sold it to me.

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

Now it looks like this

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a521/gdrseeker/IMAG0281_zpsac253980.jpg

I have a couple spare tanks and I want to have a friend who knows how to weld give it a try, he hasn't had the time yet.

Title: Re: Gas tank question
Post by Jiggyfly on 05/21/13 at 09:59:41

darn you, Suzuki, for putting a hole like that in an otherwise nicely shaped tank!!!!

Prolly cost them a bunch extra, too!!!

That looks like a complete pain.

Title: Re: Gas tank question
Post by Dave on 05/21/13 at 10:41:36

The only other way that may work, is to cut a piece of metal that fits inside the metal lip.....and have someone tig the metal lip and melt it down onto the top. I don't own a TIG.....but if I tried that with a torch I believe the top would warp pretty badly from the heat.

Title: Re: Gas tank question
Post by Jiggyfly on 05/21/13 at 11:50:23

I can TIG weld.....& that's a difficult approach.
Not impossible, but difficult.
I suspect pounding that lip down some would help.
Unfortunately I think either leaving the hole, or buying a tank to try it in are my options.

Anyone have a dented to unrecognizable tank they want to donate????? ;D

Title: Re: Gas tank question
Post by DieselBob on 05/21/13 at 16:32:43

I've got a tank you can have for practicing. The left half is beautiful. The right half - well................. take a look at the thread below for the pics. If you don't mind practicing on just half the circle, it's yours for the shipping, unless you live close by.

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1360467904/1#1

Title: Re: Gas tank question
Post by Jiggyfly on 05/21/13 at 20:15:49

perfect!!!

PayPal work? Tell me what it costs.....well, before you ship it, lets make sure it's not $50! Lol :D

Title: Re: Gas tank question
Post by Jiggyfly on 05/21/13 at 20:16:03

29229

Title: Re: Gas tank question
Post by DieselBob on 05/22/13 at 03:26:28

I have to get in town to the shop to get the size and weight (unless you know it) and then I can get you a rough estimate on shipping. I'll try to have it by tomorrow.

Title: Re: Gas tank question
Post by Dave on 05/22/13 at 06:50:25

This might seem a bit bizaar.....but what about a "sculptured" tank approach? Just go ahead and weld a plate onto the raised lip, and then just blend the edges in with body filler. The speedometer section would just be raised up a bit.....and you could paint or stripe the tank in a way that could work with the raised portion. Or do something really strange and weld in some hole punched metal or expanded metal if you don't want the tank to have extra capacity and aren't going to weld the bottom closed.

Title: Re: Gas tank question
Post by old_rider on 05/22/13 at 08:54:29

03383522333F242239313C23500 wrote:

Sounds kewl....you could use the surface to mount a plaque or badge, or perhaps some other guages like temp, rpm etc.....

Title: Re: Gas tank question
Post by DieselBob on 05/22/13 at 08:57:22

Or weld the plate on and then punch a hole in it big enough for the cup holder to carry your drink.

Title: Re: Gas tank question
Post by old_rider on 05/22/13 at 09:01:25

724B4756474C524D4E220 wrote:

Or weld the plate on and then punch a hole in it big enough for the cup holder to carry your drink.

Uh oh....the wife likes that idea....which speedo do I have to get to replace the current one?.....sigh....
::)

Title: Re: Gas tank question
Post by Jiggyfly on 05/22/13 at 13:42:19

.......or tool kit......or an extra place to put luggage, or the massive amounts of cash I have......maybe donuts?! Yeah.....I love donuts!

:D ;D

Title: Re: Gas tank question
Post by Dave on 05/22/13 at 14:09:31

[quote author=60434D4D534C46532A0 link=1369108587/15#15 date=1369255339......maybe donuts?! Yeah.....I love donuts!
:D ;D[/quote]

And with the rising engine heat........Warm donuts!

Title: Re: Gas tank question
Post by Jiggyfly on 05/22/13 at 17:08:06

nice........ ;D

Title: Re: Gas tank question
Post by DieselBob on 05/23/13 at 19:17:34

Hey Jiggerfly. My son was supposed to bring the tank from the shop last night and forgot, so I ran in this evening and picked it up. I rounded up a bit when I figured the size and weight just to be safe and the cheapest (as well as slowest form - USPS) came out at $16.85. And I won't be offended if you decline the offer. I should note also that nearly 3/4 of the seam is unmolested and thus would be great for practice.
That said, if you'll recall this tank was the victim of a sledge hammer artist who did a very nice job of rolling the seam into the opening at one point, leaving me to believe that with something a bit more refined than a sledge hammer, one could could roll the seam into the opeing without disturbing the weld. Obviously, the work would need to be backed with a dolly.
I'd be happy to post a pic of the seam if that would be of interest. And I'd be curious as to other's thoughts on such a proposal.

Title: Re: Gas tank question
Post by gdrseeker on 05/23/13 at 19:36:44

I used this speedometer from Dime City Cycles. It worked great.

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-electronic-parts-mini-chrome-black-face-led-speedo-speedometer-15-0032b.html

There is a post here from someone I think in the Tech Section about using this speedometer and the tachometer etc.

I made a custom bracket to mount mine between the DIY risers i made out of sockets.

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

Title: Re: Gas tank question
Post by gdrseeker on 05/23/13 at 19:44:34

Here is the posting about the Speedometer and Tachometer.

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1345772898

Title: Re: Gas tank question
Post by Jiggyfly on 06/10/13 at 23:31:49

DieselBob- sorry it took me so long to get back to this!
I'm up for it if you still have it?

Title: Re: Gas tank question
Post by DieselBob on 06/11/13 at 19:15:38

PM sent.