Topic: Early Sandcast Found......

[RAFster122s]

He and his racing buddies have a motor swap to do in less than a month on the Lexus, so I would not expect much movement on bike projects for a beat…

[BenelliSEI]

Such great work John! Your attention to detail and patience is truely inspiring. I try and take a page from your book and slow down when I work on my bikes.

Honestly….. between race cars, farming, a bit of travel, and generally spending more time messing around with other stuff I enjoy, the “projects” are being a little bit ignored.  I do try and spend 1/2 day a week in the shop, but with the great weather, that’s the limit.

[BenelliSEI]

Finally……

[RAFster122s]

Nice, you're gonna have to post a photo of that expensive foam unpacked...

[BenelliSEI]

Nice, you're gonna have to post a photo of that expensive foam unpacked...

I did open it and the foam and strap trim bits look fabulous. Yamiya’s packaging is exemplary. UPS dinged me another $69 for taxes, duty and brokerage. Crooks.

Screw it. It’s only my kid’s inheritance.

I will restore my +50 year old seat pan for less than the cost of a “replica, red foam seat” and have the satisfaction of saving a few more original parts……
+95% Original is the goal. Frank would approve!

[BenelliSEI]

Weighs a surprising amount. Seems like 2 X usual material!

[RAFster122s]

High density foam

[Gamma]

Looks good

[BenelliSEI]

Looks good

Thanks, guys. The seat pan is really good. None of the sharp tabs that hold down the cover snapped off (a first for me). It’s a much thicker steel than any of my later seats, and has the “correct” number of holes! The Yamiya chrome strap ends and screws to secure it are identical to the original bits too. I managed to save all the chrome trim strips and locating pins. A neighbour of mine has a really good sand blasting cabinet, with a huge compressor and tank, so off to visit him next.

[BenelliSEI]

My wife lucked into a spectacular “rescue dog” today. 3.5 years old, perfectly trained, healthy and a real treat. Of course she is off for a Dragon Boat Festival next week, so I’ll be on duty with the dog. Truthfully, I’m delighted!

[MauiK3]

Beautiful dog! We are dog people, two Goldens, we love dogs. You will have a great shop buddy there!

[BenelliSEI]

Beautiful dog! We are dog people, two Goldens, we love dogs. You will have a great shop buddy there!

Thanks Steve. I really miss our old labradoodle, Max 2.0 so this is a real bonus!

[BenelliSEI]

Definitely not working on this project, but thought I’d check in with the “paintless dent remover” expert that has had my tank for +6 months. Yes, he’s had a look at it and might be able to do it. BUT, the first thing he needs is a proper articulated stand for motorcycle tanks. Did I care to split the +$1000 cost with him. I told him I build him one and would be down to get the tank this week. Seriously?    “See you later buddy”

[MauiK3]

For that money you could send it to Hannibal on Oahu, he'd fix it right up!!

[BenelliSEI]

For that money you could send it to Hannibal on Oahu, he'd fix it right up!!

….. and he’d be done by now!

[PeWe]

Good idea to combine holiday and a Hawaii tank job ?
Wait for the colder period.

That bike will not  have time to provide any ride this year anyway.

[BenelliSEI]

An acquaintance called today and asked me if the “sand cast was finished”. Brought him up to speed and he suggested I was getting “old and lazy”. After explaining the following:
- I just finished freshening a Suzuki RM85 for my grandson
- sold my KLR650 and replaced it with a Honda Varadero that needed brakes, tires and other numerous fixes.
- done 4 X 8 hour races in the Lexus.
-tilled, sprayed, planted and sprayed again over 120 acres of soy beans with a neighbour.
- spent six weeks in Australia and New Zealand.
- cut grass once a week since April
- entertained our entire family over the past four days and other numerous weekends.
- got a new dog, and been out riding at least every second day!
He’s decided not to ask again. Stupid Pri@k.

[BenelliSEI]

Yesterday I picked up the “wrinkle tank” from the Paintless dent removal guy. He’s had it for months and is confident he can smooth it out, without cracking any paint.

BUT……He insists it must be in a solid stand for him to be able to proceed. Next step is to lock it in a stand that he can mount in a large vise.

[HondaMan]

Now, THIS will be interesting to see!
My friend here (who brings me his CB750F0 twice a year for some TLC) had a long (20"+) crease in his new black SUV taken out by one of those guys. It looks perfect: they are magicians! No new paint, not even a mark where the other car hit that paint.

[Don R]

Yesterday I picked up the “wrinkle tank” from the Paintless dent removal guy. He’s had it for months and is confident he can smooth it out, without cracking any paint.

BUT……He insists it must be in a solid stand for him to be able to proceed. Next step is to lock it in a stand that he can mount in a large vise.

I wonder if a rusty untitled and cut up frame would mount it securely enough?

[BenelliSEI]

Now, THIS will be interesting to see!
My friend here (who brings me his CB750F0 twice a year for some TLC) had a long (20"+) crease in his new black SUV taken out by one of those guys. It looks perfect: they are magicians! No new paint, not even a mark where the other car hit that paint.

I’ve seen the guys work and he is really good. Several large dealerships in this area keep him busy just doing “shipping damage repairs” on new cars! He is adamant that the tank needs to very securely clamped down for him to work effectively.

[BenelliSEI]

Yesterday I picked up the “wrinkle tank” from the Paintless dent removal guy. He’s had it for months and is confident he can smooth it out, without cracking any paint.

BUT……He insists it must be in a solid stand for him to be able to proceed. Next step is to lock it in a stand that he can mount in a large vise.

I wonder if a rusty untitled and cut up frame would mount it securely enough?

Don…. I thought of that but not sure it would ever be secure enough? Maybe with a clamp arrangement at the back tab and even a plate bolted to the two bolts for the petcock and then a stiffener welded back to the frame?

I think it might be easier to build a jig. Will post the solution when I get to it!

[RAFster122s]

Calj does some tank repair work and he uses a big T shaped affair that engages the front horseshoe mounts and bolt the rear of the tank down. The T affair clamps into a bench vice. Big fender washers and rubber washer on rear tank hold down screwed to bench or bracket to secure the rear of tank and it is solid. The pipe used for the front is a good fit and the rubber pads aren't used, a bit of heavy cloth can prevent any scrapes at front mounts.

[BenelliSEI]

Calj does some tank repair work and he uses a big T shaped affair that engages the front horseshoe mounts and bolt the rear of the tank down. The T affair clamps into a bench vice. Big fender washers and rubber washer on rear tank hold down screwed to bench or bracket to secure the rear of tank and it is solid. The pipe used for the front is a good fit and the rubber pads aren't used, a bit of heavy cloth can prevent any scrapes at front mounts.

Thanks, good to know. I was thinking the rubber pads could be on threaded posts so I can open them up and really set them hard. Clamp at the back tab and a diagonal side brace that bolts into the threaded fasteners for the petcock?

I’m working on my K6 for now, but thinking about next steps here. Ihave a really nice K0/1 tank I can use on this bike to get it rolling too.

[RAFster122s]

Having a bar that can be moved around the petcock opening to pry against would seem to me be desired to prevent from moving any metal at the neck opening of the tank.
We don't have any access from underneath like many modern bikes with fuel pumps in tank via access panels...so all the work has to be from the fuel filler opening unless you cut a section from the tank bottom then braze or weld it closed when finished.