Topic: adding a fuel sight

[wannabridin]

oh ya, i understand it needs to be at the top and bottom, or else what's the point of having it??  then it just becomes a matter of deciding if it will be vertical or on an angle, or have some sort of curve in it. 

[swellguy]

A better price $28, from a nice guy, can be found http://www.kilbydeuce.com/09/parts.php?sgauge=1

I'm still looking for pics of the frenched tank I did. Sold it some time back.

[wannabridin]

good price, yes.  but still cheap connections that are quite bulky.  and the shouldered bungs just aren't quite what i'm looking for.  if i do this, i want it to be very smooth, like the bungs were made in the tank that way.  my question to you is this.  i have a later model tank, with the flip up lid, and my stock 76k tank.  i like the longer lines of the later model tank.  can someone give me more insight into the cross sectional construction of the tank?  one layer, two layers?  i feel it's just a single layer of steel, which would be a lot better as i wouldn't have to worry about the unwelded layer getting gas behind it. 

[swellguy]

If you want a frenched site gauge you're pretty much going to have to weld a channel - an already made up piece of fabricated metal - into a hole you cut into the tank. This is the way we did it.



Sorry for the basic drawing but that gives you an idea. It's welded flush with the tank surface and normal 1/4" clear fuel line connects to the two holes. The tank gets pressure tested, resealed and you're ready for paint.

[754]

 I can make bungs, .. most of the bung inside thank, thin flange with just enif meat to tig weld around it.

 Be cool if you dimpled for fittings, and a groove in between bungs, so its fairl flush, but looks good..

[wannabridin]

no tig welding here 754, only gas shielded MIG on the lowest setting for me...

nice idea there swell!  if i had the equipment and skills for something like that i would do it in a heartbeat!

[333]

I think the french idea would be the way to go.  Even with a plastic line instead of glass, there is still the potential for ripping the line off.  Maybe some kind of guard.

And to back up a little(I'm always late to these parties)...What's so "gay" about knowing how much gas you have?  And does that mean that one might cross over when lookin' at the gauge in your car?

Just sayin'.

[Frankenkit]

I think it's just the idea of bolting on real jenky-ass ugly parts (like the crack pipe one on pg 1).  There's "doing something" and "doing something well"

[wannabridin]

well can someone give me some insight as to the construction of these tanks?  does anyone have any pictures of one that has been cut in half?  76 k model and a later F model.  i believe it's an F model, the one that has the flip up gas lid with a key.  thanks guys!!

[754]

 a lot of tanks..
 left and right sides..welded seam in middle that is ground off..
 then a 1 pce bottom added, often welded with a roll-welded seam..

 Kit, I think having a gas guage, is a bit like having a patient hooked up to moniters even on days they are doing well..
 Hmmmmm.. so that is what a crackpipe liiks like..

[wannabridin]

so does this mean that if i were to drill into the sides that there would be one layer or two?

[754]

1 layer..
Where do you want to put it? Be cool to go the front corner of tank. near the tunnel and french it. Remember it need not go all the way up..its lower 1/2 of tank level you have to worry about..

[wannabridin]

i was thinking somewhere towards the front, maybe off to the side, on the corner, i'm not 100% yet.  as for the frenching, it would be a difficult task to get the "frame" made to support the fuel tubes.  i don't think welding it in would be difficult, just getting it made.  any ideas on how this could be done?  i'd need a tall skinny box, with the threaded ends for some barbed fittings.  this would be protected and super smooth!

[754]

let me think on it..

[swellguy]

i don't think welding it in would be difficult, just getting it made.  any ideas on how this could be done?

At this point I'd go to a machine or fab shop and tell them what you want. It's not that tricky an issue. I made the site tube here without any special hardware, except a break to bend the metal. I had a shop weld it in so the tank could be pressure tested. The fuel line just slipped on, the connections didn't have ridges or nipples and we never used any hoseclamps. The new owner of the bike eventually did use hoseclamps.

[wannabridin]

i'd probably go with some barbs just to be safe.  no hose clamps, especially if you get quality fuel line.  i'd have to find a decent machine shop that could make it easily.  it it were just made of some sheet metal, i could just have someone make it out of that with the cuts then i could weld it up.  any machinists here want to help me out?  i can def. pay you for your troubles!  :-D  the next big problem is getting the profile of the tank set. 

wait.... nm, i could just have the unit stick out some while i set the depth, then grind the excess off afterward...  now to address the aesthetics of it all.  id much rather have a nice smooth 180 degree cut out on the top and bottom, with the fittings almost hidden from view.  this would look a lot cleaner and the frenched style would be in tact!

[swellguy]

Here's another recessed sight gauge some guys I know did.

Still looking for the one I did.

[swellguy]

This is really what you want to do, I can tell:

[Joel]

What does the tank this will go on look like?  If the sides are somewhat flat, you could use a window similar in style to this:  http://www.tedecoindustrial.com/level.htm

[754]

I think that last is 2 long.. 1/2 up the tank or 2/3 is plenty..
 I am thinking a short run die to push out a shape like the 750 rearaxle nut wrench..
 then 2 pcs like that, trim to length, weld in center and around edges.
 I know a way to do this (the viewpipe) without elbows and leakproof crimped hose assembly..

[wannabridin]

swell, that harley tank is EXACTLY what i want to do, except i might oval out the top and bottom of the sights, to hide tops of the tube... 

754 is right, i would only want it to go from about 2/3 or so down as low as it can.  i'm thinking of putting it on the super sport tank i have, like the one here.

i also have my stock '76 k tank.  i want to add one of carpy's gas caps to the super sport tank, after i smooth out the gas door by welding a piece of sheet metal in its place.  thoughts? 

[wannabridin]

any thoughts 754, or anyone else?

[754]

 I think that blue tank is too nice to cut..

 I like the set in look but, think it should be more dogbone or dumbell shaped..

[wannabridin]

I think that blue tank is too nice to cut..

 I like the set in look but, think it should be more dogbone or dumbell shaped..

the blue tank isn't mine.  i have one that's in good shape, but i plan on modifying it anyways, ie welding up the fuel door (with a piece of sheet metal, not the one on there) and installing my carpy flip up gas lid.  i like the longer and more squared off looks of these super sport tanks on the K bikes...