Topic: Hello from new member!!!

[ohiocaferacer]

Just thought i'd drop in real quick.....just registered with the site....looks good!!!

Heres a pic of my 1972 Honda CB350 Cafe Racer....CR350


Also building a CB350RR project with GSXR750 inverted front forks(tank on bike is from my CR350....had to check tank clearances)


Started hammering out a new alloy tank for it.....same style as the CR350. The learning curve is still on going.....but I hope to have a few on the shelfs in the next few months. More pics at the my website.



Later,

[dusterdude]

welcome,looks good

[Hondalubr]

Welcome Ohio!
Hope to read some of your posts. From the looks of it you are pretty good at body work. Of all of the subjects I have read about and know the least about, it is bodywork. Your input to the forum would be of great help. There are only a few things to be completed on my '78 CB750F, new seat cover, tail light lens, (Both on order) and bodywork. New paint and a few dings and one small dent in the tank to clean up. That's it.

Have fun on the forum and ride safe. 

Mike

[seaweb11]

Sweet ride.

My 750 Cafe project from last winter is on my link below
I'm doing a new resto on a CL350 this winter.

[heffay]

nice!  welcome. 

let me know where those shelves are... k.

hef

[ohiocaferacer]

Thanks for the welcome guys!

As far as bodywork.......just a rookie. Although I did hang out at a bodyshop owned by my best friends father, as a teenager(back in the 80s).......more goofing off than anything. They actually did the paint work on my CR350(tank, seat & fairing)......I did the paint on the frame. Bodywork is so time consuming......I actually hate doing it.

Now the aluminum shaping is a new venture.....never done it before. A friend who owns a vintage race shop in Cincinnati, Ohio built the aluminum tank on my  CR350.....and after looking at it....thought....."I think I can do that"?? The raw aluminum tank in the pictures above is my first one.....and its turning out really good. There have been some hurdles....but nothing major. The biggest demon is the fact that i'm using a MIG welder......trying to weld thin aluminum and its a major pain!!! A TIG welder would make life so much easier......hope Santa is listening. LOL! 

Does anyone have any experience in welding thin aluminum with a MIG welder.....any helpful tips???

I'd like to have 3-4 tanks finished by spring........as I try and finish the CB350RR project bike.

Later,
Greg
www.OHIOCAFERACERS.com

[dusterdude]

all i can tell you and i might be wrong,i think you of course use aluminum wire and i believe straight argon gas insted of the argon/co2 mix.

[ohiocaferacer]

Yep....have the proper gas and wire setup.

The biggest problem is the burn thru and I dont think there is anyway to get around it....using a MIG welder. I have heard of people using a backing plate on the underside to help slow the heating.....but that is almost impossible on some of the tight radius bends and the plate will get welded to the underside, if you do burn thru.

Think I need to bite the bullet and get a TIG.....

[dusterdude]

yep i hear ya