Topic: Old Emblem... New Tank... How?

[Pain]

ok... i like the look of the honda tank emblems of the 60's... but i believe they are inset into the tank... how would i put them into my new bcr tank? if this is not a job i can do myself, would there be anyone on the forum who could do it for me?

...also, i know different honda's had these emblems in different sizes, so which bikes had the biggest ones?

here's the emblem and my tank...

[hondaface75]

I beleive people have glued in just screw heads into the holes and then 3M double sided tape the badge on. I can vouch for the 3M.

[Pain]

i was thinking that... but i would expect the emblem to not lay flat as the tank body is curved..

[Stev-o]

What material is the emblem made of? Maybe it could be formed to match the tank??

[Pain]

idk... i didn't get one yet.. i was trying to consult sizes before purchasing one..

[Toxic]

The larger the emblem the more difficult it is going to be to get it lay flat on the curved surface.  Start with the smallest you think you can live with and them make a "dummy" out to flat steel and see how it conforms to the tank.

[johnrdupree]

Have you asked BCR about it?  The "correct" way would be to have indents in the tank to accept the emblems.  Maybe they can fab the indents, cut holes in the tank, and weld the indents in.

I don't think you'll be able to form the emblems to the tank.  The emblems are die cast aluminum (I think) and enameled.  I'd guess they will crack before they bend.

Good Luck,
~john

[johnrdupree]

Umm...that tank is aluminum, right?  Not fiberglass with some swanky finish.

~john

[Cundalini]

ok... i like the look of the honda tank emblems of the 60's... but i believe they are inset into the tank... how would i put them into my new bcr tank? if this is not a job i can do myself, would there be anyone on the forum who could do it for me?

...also, i know different honda's had these emblems in different sizes, so which bikes had the biggest ones?

here's the emblem and my tank...

That bike is gonna look nice when finished!! What you modelling it on ? An old Norton Cafe Racer? CB 550 engine I assume?

[Pain]

Have you asked BCR about it?  The "correct" way would be to have indents in the tank to accept the emblems.  Maybe they can fab the indents, cut holes in the tank, and weld the indents in.

I don't think you'll be able to form the emblems to the tank.  The emblems are die cast aluminum (I think) and enameled.  I'd guess they will crack before they bend.

Good Luck,
~john

yeah... i don't think i wanna go the adhesive route.. i think that will look tacky.. and i really don't want to cut corners on any part of this project. i emailed benjie, will see what he says...

here's a shot of a honda dream tank without the badge..

[Pain]

That bike is gonna look nice when finished!! What you modelling it on ? An old Norton Cafe Racer? CB 550 engine I assume?

yeah it's a 550.. here's a link to my build thread: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=88788.0

i had a few things in mind for styling... the polished norton cafe...  i don't want to paint honda on my tank in norton font... no disrespect to anyone who's done that.. it's just already been done.. and i really think the honda emblems of that era were really cool..  also a big part of my design will be brushed aluminum stripes... borrowed from the polished shelby cobras...

[johnrdupree]

How about a brushed aluminum emblem?  Have a sign shop cut a mask out of vinyl, apply it to the tank, brush the exposed areas, and remove the mask.  Of course, you'll have to get the artwork to begin with.

Just a thought,
~john

[hondaface75]

I also dig those emblems, especially with your tank and seat setup. I dont think 3M is skimping on quality. It wont come off. Id see if you can get a backside shot of those emblems, mayhaps they are recessed enough that the 3M will let it sit flat. I did my honda badges and they looked factory installed. That is if they can be bent or find a flat enough spot to mount them. Plus the 3M isnt perminant like most of the other solutions.

[Stev-o]

How about a brushed aluminum emblem?  Have a sign shop cut a mask out of vinyl, apply it to the tank, brush the exposed areas, and remove the mask.  Of course, you'll have to get the artwork to begin with.

Just a thought,
~john

This may be a good idea. Ray [MyHondas] owns a sign shop and does custom work such as this.

[Kanticoy]

Like was stated before, those emblems are cast aluminum with enameled color.  They cannot bend at all, the enamel will crack and chip out.  There are a few guys around doing laser etched emblems.  They basically etch the design into the emblem with a laser, and then the emblem can be curved to fit the tank.  I do like the etched emblem idea.

[Pain]

ok. back to this idea. benji said he can do it, but he'll have to cut the tank open to press the sides for the indents where the badges go. he said if i ship him my tank he'll do the changes for $250.

"If the location where you want the badges to go isnt flat, we'll need to cut a hole and make seperate panels just for the badge."

is this reasonable? is there anyone else who can do this type of work? local would be great - i'm in north east ohio / western pa.

[phil71]

 I have a pair of those badges on my old cl90, and they're pretty flat..  The tank has a recess stamped into it, and then a spot welded little wing with two screw holes.
I would go with the 3m emblem adhesive.. so many new cars use exactly that to hold their badges on, and it lasts for years. Stamping that beautiful tank and spending that much $ seems.... nuts