Topic: custom oil tank and chain slop clearance question...

[timdhawk]

assuming all things are to spec, how much up and down chain slop (if any) would there be in the area of the red box?

[Spanner 1]

Tim your chain is hanging on the floor.

[750goes]

IF the chain is tensioned correctly I would expect an extremely small amount of movement in that area you have shown - probably less than 1/8"...

You should measure your chain slack on the bottom side half way between both sprockets .....

[Gordon]

What do you plan on mounting in that area that may be effected by chain slack?

[timdhawk]

What do you plan on mounting in that area that may be effected by chain slack?

im working on an oil tank. during mock up, that was the one area i forgot to take into consideration. depending on how the tank mounts I have around 1/4" clearance between the tank and chain right now...
i didn't think there would be that much chain free play there, but just wanted to double check.

[Alan F.]

On the chopper sites you'll notice quite a few rollerskate wheels positioned to keep chains from rubbing on things, both above and below the chain line.  It would seem that one could make a smaller diameter solution to accomplish the same result, or maybe saw off a 1/4-moon shaped sliver from a skate wheel and bolt it onto the surface.....to take friction that otherwise would do damage.

[timdhawk]

On the chopper sites you'll notice quite a few rollerskate wheels positioned to keep chains from rubbing on things, both above and below the chain line.  It would seem that one could make a smaller diameter solution to accomplish the same result, or maybe saw off a 1/4-moon shaped sliver from a skate wheel and bolt it onto the surface.....to take friction that otherwise would do damage.

thats a good point... thanks.  hopefully i wont need them.

[timdhawk]

Tim your chain is hanging on the floor.

Yea, the ladies tell me that all the time...

[754]

1/4 inch will guarantee you get a 2 qt chainwash in your future..

You need more than that, even with struts. With shocks, remove springs, bottom out shock and add clearance, way more than 1/4 inch. You do not mention swingarm length, that will also affect amount of clearance needed..

[timdhawk]

1/4 inch will guarantee you get a 2 qt chainwash in your future..

You need more than that, even with struts. With shocks, remove springs, bottom out shock and add clearance, way more than 1/4 inch. You do not mention swingarm length, that will also affect amount of clearance needed..

....................i think i see what you're saying..................swing arm is factory...........assuming worst case scenario with shocks bottoming out and up an down travel of the swing arm, this will affect the clearance more so than sitting static without rider weight and movement........

ahhhh, i see your point!!!! thank you for that....


hummm... what to do next?.....back to the drawing table

[MilehighCB]

Tim,
I am thinking of using your excellent looking designs for a cafe tank.  I wondered if you could update the thread with any new pictures of the final tank.  What issuse you had, and how you solved them.  Also if there is anything you would have done differently.  Any problems with flow, overflow, vents, oil pressure or oil temps?

From what I gathered from several posts, you disected your stock tank and scavaged the parts like drain plug, fill neck, etc.  Did you use the stock flow tubes or did you need to alter them?

I saw on the other forum there is a thread about hiding the oil tank, but no final pics.
Thanks, Tom

[the architect]

Tim,
I am thinking of using your excellent looking designs for a cafe tank.  I wondered if you could update the thread with any new pictures of the final tank.  What issuse you had, and how you solved them.  Also if there is anything you would have done differently.  Any problems with flow, overflow, vents, oil pressure or oil temps?

From what I gathered from several posts, you disected your stock tank and scavaged the parts like drain plug, fill neck, etc.  Did you use the stock flow tubes or did you need to alter them?

I saw on the other forum there is a thread about hiding the oil tank, but no final pics.
Thanks, Tom

I know it's been posted a thousand times, and you've probably even seen it already, but I really like how the hidden oil tank turned out on this bike.  The hard copper plumbing running to the hump behind the seat is really the only give away.  And it's subtle.  I like how the copper tubing matches the character of the bike, too.

[MCRider]

In that case, it appears to me that the tire would likely hit the under hump oil tank. In fact I see lots of bikes with that style seat mounted in such a way that I just can't help but think many of them would have the tire hit the seat.

Also, how hot will that tank get on one's bum?

Granted looks great, but as a practical matter...

I like where you are putting your tank Timdhawk. It will likely need to be shorter per 754's comments. It could also become a significant gusset in that critical frame area.