Author Topic: Pictures of my fibermold tank! (old thread) Now a Petcock issue, (Read 4139 times)

Don R · « **on:** May 04, 2015, 01:14:56 PM »

I finally got one for the drag bike! I've had two bikes that once had one but they both got lost before I got the bikes.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/motorcycle-gas-tank-fiberglass-/321736291576?nma=true&si=bVUymnRNQihNJpbzhWPFEmNL8e4%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Don R · « **Reply #1 on:** May 04, 2015, 01:18:48 PM »

Now what to clean / line it with? It won't ever see alcohol, but I'll still worry. The dragbike tank was black, It will be a shame to paint it.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 04, 2015, 01:33:56 PM »

As far as I have found, the Caswell tank liners are the only ones to even claim that they work on fiberglass...Caswell kits include instructions with specifics for cleaning/prepping fiberglass and plastic tanks...
I just got done lining a regular old steel cb750f tank as sort of practice for the main event, a fiberglass Read Titan tank. These F tanks are an extra pain in the ass due to the recessed filler cap, plus that Caswell epoxy is very THICK and slow moving. It seems to have worked fairly well...cured up rock hard. If you don't have lots of supply's on hand, you will spend over $80 to use Caswell-in addition to the $50 kit you will need Acetone, some way of stopping up the petcock and the filler, plastic shrink wrap and tin foil to protect paint, duct tape...#$%* adds up!

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #3 on:** May 04, 2015, 02:06:07 PM »

Caswell is the only liner I know of that works at least to a degree with fiberglass. Benji is now selling glass that is lined with something (likely Caswell).

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #4 on:** May 04, 2015, 02:24:25 PM »

The absolute best way to garantee a great bond when using epoxy over polyester or vinylester fiberglass, is to sand the surface being epoxied, I know thats impossible inside a tank, but that gives the best bond... What type of etch comes with the Caswell kit...?

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 04, 2015, 03:38:31 PM »

nothing...the instructions ask for a very quick swish with acetone, then wash with dawn dish soap and shake it about with added drywall screws to attempt to abrade the interior...

754 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 04, 2015, 03:41:42 PM »

If you repaint that we sit talking to you no more..

Don R · « **Reply #7 on:** May 04, 2015, 04:18:32 PM »

I know, the pinstripes are so cool and done by a known striper. I needed it to restore a drag bike that lost it's fibermold tank. There has to be a way to maintain the karma. I hear there are those that can pull a mold and do no damage. There's a race car shop near here that does Carbon/fiberglass anything. That'd be too perfect.

We just installed a carbon/kevlar/nomex helmet shroud on a funny car. Now that's some tough stuff. I have a scrap, I really want to shoot it with a .22.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #8 on:** May 04, 2015, 04:53:03 PM »

My painter buddy just got the gig to paint the bodywork for Troy Bayliss' Ducati Scrambler (he's racing the AMA mile events only). Very high quality fiberglasss gas tanks and tracker seats from First Klass Glass.

Fortunately, they won't have to worry about ethanol as the bikes will only use race gas.

Don R · « **Reply #9 on:** May 04, 2015, 10:04:49 PM »

Hey Frank, both 750's that had these tanks once had the front rubber donuts cut part way to reduce the diameter. As in, the top or bottom was flattened.
I'm wondering if that was to adjust height of the tank or the fiberglass u channels are narrower than a stock tank? I remember you telling me who made these once, I was hoping you remembered this too.
I guess I'll know in a week or less.

750K · « **Reply #10 on:** May 04, 2015, 10:56:02 PM »

Who did the striping, is there a signiature anywhere on the tank?

faux fiddy · « **Reply #11 on:** May 05, 2015, 01:26:06 AM »

Looks like the other bidder decided he didn't want it. Did you only bump him two fiddy or did you plan to pay more? I mean, it wasn't a last minute snipe...

Don R · « **Reply #12 on:** May 05, 2015, 10:15:28 AM »

I decided I wanted it and bumped to my max. One occasion I was willing to pay more than I thought it was worth. Afterwards I hoped the extra bid would help my cause. I've been looking for over a year and this one was too nice to let get away. One of the rare times when the part and the money to buy it were available at the same time. I admit, I was delighted when he didn't bid again.

I bumped it to twofiddytwofiddy. There has been a not as nice one for $300 for a long time. I would have bid on it but it was a buy it now deal and I wasn't willing to go that high not knowing if it held fuel.

Don R · « **Reply #13 on:** May 05, 2015, 10:25:15 AM »

It was reportedly striped by the Englishman. not sure if he's famous or anything. Roth or VonDutch of course would put it beyond my budget as an art work. I'm not seeing a signature so the stripes probably only add the value of being from the time period.

The best known pinstriper from fifties - Ken Howard (Von Dutch), the guy who, they say, gave birth to the whole culture. Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, Tommy The Greek, Dean Jeffries, Larry Watson, Franky Bird (The A-rab), The Englishman and others play an important role at forming and shaping Kustom Kulture.

found on google, he is from Long island.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #14 on:** May 05, 2015, 11:39:10 AM »

"The Englishman" -- sounds less like a pinstriper's handle than a nickname for a covert operative.

The Limey would have been better!

754 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 05, 2015, 10:39:22 PM »

Those Ducati tanks are the same as the one I got coming..aluminum, and they hold 9 litres

Don R · « **Reply #16 on:** May 06, 2015, 07:16:19 AM »

I'd like to see the ducati tank when you get it, I'll be sure to post some pictures of the fibermold.

754 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 06, 2015, 07:58:57 AM »

The Ducati tanks shown are Storz racing XR 750 tanks.. I like the whees they are using...very light..

Don R · « **Reply #18 on:** May 09, 2015, 09:02:38 PM »

It came today. It's a great tank for the price and the age, you can see light through the inside of it, it's that clean inside. I'll try to get a picture of it on the drag bike tomorrow.
Alas, the striping isn't signed.

Don R · « **Reply #19 on:** May 26, 2015, 12:46:39 PM »

finally pictures,

Don R · « **Reply #20 on:** May 26, 2015, 12:50:05 PM »

It needs a little polishing but is in awesome shape for it's age. the petcock,

The mount, now I know why the bikes that had these tanks had the rubber cut off one side

Don R · « **Reply #21 on:** May 26, 2015, 12:54:54 PM »

The gas cap view, look it's a wrinkle tank!

Don R · « **Reply #22 on:** June 04, 2017, 08:02:09 PM »

I did the caswell job, washed it with drywall screws and followed the instructions. I ended up using the entire kit just to be sure. I'm entirely satisfied with the results. Until the drag bike is running I dropped it on my K0.
The petcock leaks past no matter what I do. I've tried different ones, replaced multiple 4 hole washers and bought new screw washers. it still doesn't hold. If I loop the hose back to the other nipple it doesn't leak so I'm sure it's flowing slightly into the carbs and at least one is seeping and it's not leaking externally.
My only other idea is try a known good petcock from one of the running bikes. At least I'd know if it's somehow related to the tank.

And Frank, it won't be painted ever just to re-create the original drag bikes looks.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #23 on:** June 06, 2017, 01:04:25 AM »

Don, K&L is making a repro petcock of the original 750 and 550 petcock ('74 had that petcock design). Am told it is a decent copy.

David

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Author Topic: Pictures of my fibermold tank! (old thread) Now a Petcock issue, (Read 4139 times)