welding a bike petrol tank

[BrokenBiker]

What thickness steel is likely to be used on a bike petrol tank from around 91.

the original zephyr tank I have has rotten around the petrol tap area and it also needs altering in order to clear the carbs of the cbr engine that is in the frame so the plan is to get a flat sheet and make a new bottom for it, keeping the majority of the original tunnel as its still solid.

 

[pedrobedro]

It dents pretty easily, the shape gives it strength. I would go for 18g or 20g at the least. 18g would be easiest to weld with the bit more thickness.

 

[cumbriasteve]

They varied a fair bit, some were wafer thin simply because the finished form provided the strength rather than relying on thickness.

Only a semi educated guess but I would imagine 1mm would be classed as a good quality one.

 

[BrokenBiker]

cheers. Guess i will have to wait until i can cut the bottom off it and measure it.

was supposed to be picking it up today but my father has decided to go overtime in work and his bandit is in the way and i don't know where his keys are

 

[norlander]

cheers. Guess i will have to wait until i can cut the bottom off it and measure it.

That would be my plan too, its probably crimped at the bottom edge which might give you a decent thickness to weld up to if you use the crimped bit as a guide for the cutting out .Crimped bit often adds rigidity to tank possibly.

You probably won't need anything from here but link bunged in for info if you want a fancier petcock or somethin
http://www.wwag.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/WebSite.woa/wa/DirectAction?navi=1&page=!40612 parts often cheaper from the other big custom sheds like Zodiac if you do see something.

 

[BrokenBiker]

cheers. I think i have a new petcock for a bandit here somewhere so will probably use that but that's a good site to browse through

 

[CompoSimmonite]

The tank on my old Z250C started leaking around the badge fixing points. I sandblasted and lead loaded the recess before painting. If the Zephyr tank is basically sound with just pinholes around the tap then have you considered flooding the area with a layer of solder ?

Paul H

 

[BrokenBiker]

The tank on my old Z250C started leaking around the badge fixing points. I sandblasted and lead loaded the recess before painting. If the Zephyr tank is basically sound with just pinholes around the tap then have you considered flooding the area with a layer of solder ?

Paul H

unfortunately it has fully rotted away. And there a hole i can fit my thumb in and a lot of rusty patches too. It has to be modified anyway to accept a plenum chamber for the carbs, probably will be homemade but at the moment there is no air filter at all and tank if fouling the top of the carbs