Topic: Oil tank question!

[Silverback]

Here's the cutaway.

[ColinMc]

Sweet! Thanks Silverback...that's a lot less complicated than I thought...no weird baffles or anything.

[the architect]

It is pretty simple, actually.  And it can be even simpler if you don't need all your fittings on the bottom of the tank.  For example, it's completely kosher to route the oil return line just to the top of the tank or a high point on one side.  For the next one I build, I think I'll try a vented cap, so I won't need a visible vent line. 

There's a million ways to skin this oil tank cat, and I'd say you're off to a good start by thinking about every aspect and asking lots of questions.

Cheers!

[Silverback]

I had thought about just doing a vented cap. This would be great if it only vented air, but as we know these SOHCs like to send a bit of oil through the vent every now and then, and in both directions(both from the motor and from the tank). I just didn't like the possibility of oil spewing out of my vented cap or my motor case being constipated. Yes the return line can just be plumbed to the top of the tank, but then you have to route that big oil line up through your clean triangle area. Just some food for thought.

[the architect]

I agree with that!  If you're going custom, though, you can plumb your return away from the vent and even use an internal splash shield/baffle if you're really worried.

I'm trying one of these on the oil tank I'm about to start fabricating:



http://www.bungking.com/tanks/filler-caps/filler-cap-and-bung-vented.html

It's vented via a tiny 0.040" hole and threads a baffle in from the backside to help control oil splash.  We'll see how it works . . . I'm optimistic, though.

[jwk1414]

Retro- that bike is beautiful. Any link to a build report or more details?

Mate, i have that many pics i'm not too sure, i think it belongs to a member here.....If i come across the builder or thread i'll post a link....

It was definitely a member...I used to track his build thread for that bike.  If I remember correctly, i was interested in buying a clone of that oil tank and he wanted around $600 to make one for me.  I passed...

Yowzers.  Fair play to him, but that is some hefty coin for an oil tank.

[754]

 If you do not run a started, run your vent down into starter cover, put a catchcan under that..

[diirk]

Here's the one I was looking at on WM's site. They have a battery box in the triangle, but I don't see anywhere they could have put an oil tank.

[ColinMc]

That beast has a dohc motor!

[OneWheelDrive]

Did the DOHCs have an external tank?

[diirk]

Good eye, I totally overlooked the DOHC. I don't know if they had an oil tank. Hmmm.

[MCRider]

DOHC=wet sump motor, no tank.

[timdhawk]

This bike has a great oil tank set up and you still get most of the triangle visible....

Well #$%*!!!! I thought I had an original idea... Oh well... great minds think alike I guess.

[anotherCB]

Very nice! Do you by chance have some newer pics of that oil tank setup? I am on the same path but still in the idea phase.....
Thanks a lot.

[lucky]

If I was you I would sell that highly sought after CB450 gas tank for $1000 and put the money towards a metal cafe tank.
Hopefully you have the knee pads and Honda emblem for that CB450 tank, but even if you do not, it is a valuable asset as long as the inside is not completely rusted.

As far as the oil tank I would keep it in the stock location because it makes the most sense.
You have a silver frame and if the tank was the same color and the seat was the same color a black oil tank would make the "triangle" look empty now wouldn't it?

Well it looks like you built that oil tank. Looks good.


Another idea I had was to make the oil tank a light color to make the "triangle" look empty.
Like this:

[nokrome]

another option