Topic: Tanks without Emblem Holes?

[skynnr]

Hello everyone,

I'm working on a bike right now and I would like to do a bare-metal look on the gas tank. I am even thinking about getting it chrome plated, as seen in this vid:

The problem I run into is that most of the tanks have those holes on each side where the original Honda Emblem was mounted. The only one I have found so far that doesn't have them is the 400F tank, as it used stickers for emblems instead of plastic emblems. Unfortunately 400f tanks seem to be few and far between, as well as really expensive when you can find them. I'd like to find a way to cover those up, obviously when you are painting a tank you can just use body filler, but with the bare metal or chromed look, they will be visible.

Do you guys know if there were any other models or years that used a tank with sticker emblems instead of plastic emblems? Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

[calj737]

What bike are you trying to match the tank to? (Knowing that helps a lot actually...)

[skynnr]

I am going to be using it on a 1976 CB550, but I have no problem fabricating custom mounts/moving petcock for any tank that I may need to (done it once or twice before).

[alacrity]

If you are gonna paint the tank, just fill it in and smooth em over.  Looks fine if done right.  Here's one in progress

[Trad]

If you are gonna paint the tank, just fill it in and smooth em over.  Looks fine if done right.  Here's one in progress

He's going with bare steel. 

You should always have a skilled welder fill the emblem section and work smooth.

[Retro Rocket]

Flux and lead, just like the good old days....   Its not as hard as most think... Google or You tube and have a look...

[alacrity]

Slightly off topic, But I think "Flux and Lead" is a great title for a futuristic cop show with android detectives.

[skynnr]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I guess I never even thought of just welding them up and smoothing them out. Duh. I will look into the flux and lead as well.

[Powderman]

Don't think there is any answer for what you want. No matter what you fill the holes or recess with it won't look like it hasn't been filled. If you paint the tank I have the Honda emblems in a chrome and black vinyl decal that replicates the original badge.

[skynnr]

I will probably get the tank nickel plated. If I weld up the holes and smooth it out, then get it plated (which involves a lot of polishing), wont the polishing blend everything to a mirror finish?

[na3s]

Know anyone who can braze?

[alacrity]

that's gonna take a LOT of nickels... and check with your plater before you do your metal work.  The OEM steel has a diff melt point obviously than flux/lead or whatever other metal you might weld in there.  They have different properties as metals and "take" the plating differently, as I understand it, which can effect plate thickness, adhesion, and even the cast/hue.

If you are gonna plate it, prob better to weld with steel rod and so you have one coherent metal to deliver, but again, ask the plater.  Also there are apocryphal stories of people welding gas tanks that they were CERTAIN were completely dry and empty, and then blowing themselves up.  Something to do with fuel permeation or some such.  Weld is hot and fiery. Fuel is... fuel, even if reduced mostly to errant dried out clumps of it.

[calj737]

If you do have the plates welded out, cut out the existing, make new skin plates, and use stainless rod to weld the pieces back together.

I would not fill the plates with lead as this will forever be an issue if you needed to weld in that area. Not to mention the hazards of smelting lead...

[Retro Rocket]

If you do have the plates welded out, cut out the existing, make new skin plates, and use stainless rod to weld the pieces back together.

I would not fill the plates with lead as this will forever be an issue if you needed to weld in that area. Not to mention the hazards of smelting lead...

Use lead in an open space and its fine, I've made my own lead sinkers for fishing for years...

[70CB750]

Actually Eastwood carries it, lead or lead free.

http://www.eastwood.com/autobody/leading-body-solder.html

Lead does not kill on sight, unlike what the most of Americans think 

I cast my own bullets, not a biggy, the lead exposure has to be long to have an effect - like in old days when clowns used lead based face paints.

[thirstforspeed]

dear alacrity: i want to see that show. please get on that. i will help crowd-fund 

[greenjeans]

If you can fabricate mounts and move petcocks, just cut out the frame tunnel, cut out the badge area and make patch panels.  With the tunnel out, you can use a hammer and dolly to get the shape back and metal finish the tank.   Much, much easier said than done, but very, very doable.  The plating result will depend completely on the metal finishing.  I don't think you be able to see anything once plated.   I've filled many a bolt hole in car bumpers and replated with good results.   Granted, it is much easier working on a bumper that is 5 times as think as the metal from your gas tank.