Topic: Joker Machine-- tank badges

[mrbreeze]

Has anyone bought the tank badges from Joker Machine? I just got a set in the mail and they look very cool however.........Their instructions say to consult with a craftsman to put the contour in to fit the tank. Why can't they do that themselves? For $60 a set, I would think they could have done it themselves if you told them what model you have. Has anyone used these yet? How do you bend them? They are pretty stiff and I don't want to ruin them.

[FunJimmy]

Very cool tank badges, but according to Joker Machine’s web site, you may have to bend them, but perhaps you may not either. I guess you could just tape them on and leave the ends hanging out in the wind.

•  Fully CNC machined from 6061- T6 aluminum into a super lightweight configuration.
•  Available in your choice of our "HARD BLACK" or Clear anodized finishes.
•  Easily mounts with double sided tape.
•  You may have to bend the gas tank emblem into required shape.
•  Lettering can easily be painted to match any color scheme.


Good luck fitting them. It’s not going to be easy to get the exact contour right.

[mrbreeze]

I got the black ones and yes......they are nice but will have to be contoured to fit properly. Anyone have a way to do it without messing it up? I didn't think they were as rigid as they are.

[y2kc0wb0y]

Heat them

[mrbreeze]

I thought of that but would it mess them up? I paid $60 and would be totally pi$$ed if it didn't work. Stuff like this irritates the hell out of me. You look at their ad and it says "may have to be bent to fit". You get it in your hands and it says you need a craftsman. Hell.....how much more could that cost? I ASSumed these were more pliable but they aren't. They are hella rigid. I am going to call them Monday and see what they suggest. They damn well know they have to be bent to fit.......for the price they should come ready to install. Just a heads up to anyone thinking of buying them. They also have the side cover badges (for like $90) and I'm thinking they will also have to be bent to fit. Oh well.........live and learn. They are really nice but Sheesh!!!!

[Dyrden]

Maybe get the files and sander out to relieve the back side?

[Retro Rocket]

Maybe get the files and sander out to relieve the back side?

I wouldn't do that to a 60 dollar badge set. I would look for something with a similar curve and either use some gaffer tape or weight to hold the badge in the required shape, you may have to leave it a while before it "relaxes" into the right curve but it would be worth a go....

[jamesb]

retro rocket has the right idea.you might be able to get a rubber mallet and tap it to configuration  cover it with something so you don't scuff the face of it.take your time and don't rush.like you said 60 bucks it should have came with some instructions besides getting a craftsman to do it.good luck

[Doctor_D]

Sheet metal forming tools, like sand bags, tear-drop hammers, and dollies are what's usually used for a task like this.  http://www.faybutler.com/bodyhammer.htm  Not hard to do, but you'll have to be careful with the aluminum as it is fairly brittle.

Aluminum needs to be annealed to reduce the prospect of it cracking.  While I use an acetylene torch for annealing, the poor man's method is done with bar-soap and a propane torch, as explained here: Annealing Aluminium

[mrbreeze]

Thanks for the ideas guys. Heat came to mind right away but I still feel leary of foking it up!!!! I will see what Joker says on Monday and do some more research on my own. I would have been keen on paying a bit more and having them already formed and ready to install.

[Retro Rocket]

Heat will screw up any paint thats on them....

[y2kc0wb0y]

So will any cold bending really. Heat will soften the metal and the paint. Touch the back side with a flame for a couple of sec's and test it against a hard curved surface for shaping.

[Retro Rocket]

So will any cold bending really. Heat will soften the metal and the paint. Touch the back side with a flame for a couple of sec's and test it against a hard curved surface for shaping.

For the small amount it needs to bend i doubt it will effect the paint at all, in saying that, your method may just work....

[mrbreeze]

I was thinking the same thing with the flame lightly on the back and using one of my old tanks to get the form. The lettering is engraved and the painted part is flat. With a propane torch on the back...I don't think it would hurt anything on the front if I don't get carried away with the heat. At the worst....I would have to repaint. I'll get some more opinions at work on Monday but I think I'm goin' in!!! .....wish me luck!!!

[Danno]

you can use a dead blow hammer and a shot bag to bend them or a ball peen and a shot bag but I prefer the dead blow hammer because there is less chance of deforming the emblem

[mrbreeze]

you can use a dead blow hammer and a shot bag to bend them or a ball peen and a shot bag but I prefer the dead blow hammer because there is less chance of deforming the emblem

I think what you are describing is what Joker is calling a craftsman and that will probably cost money. I wouldn't attempt that method because I have no idea if I were doing it right or wrong but thanks for the suggestion.