It looks like someone was trying to make it a stunt tank, but didn't know how to do it. Then, to bring it back they threw a ton of bondo on it. This bike certainly lived a rough life.

I ended up using the dented piece, because I couldn't get the new piece where I needed it to be. I need a tear drop mallet to get the right crown in the piece. I'm sure someone talented could do it with fewer tools, but that's not me. I received my welding wheels yesterday, but probably won't get to the tank again until Friday.

 

I'm "amped" to see you weld on that tank. You're probably right about someone taking a mallet to it and trying to make a stunt tank out of it.

 

I actually made the first pass over 80% of the tank. I'll finish the first pass tonight (Friday), grind the welds, and look for the inevitable pin holes. The jury is still out on whether I'll use this tank or not. Although I tried to keep the heat out of it by jumping sections to let it cool, I know I didn't succeed completely. I'll get it all welded up and decide from there.

 

Is there a trick to putting the thermostat in? I can't get it to sit flush. I've double checked the part number and have the hole at the top, but it does not sit right.

 

Disregard. It appears my engine is a 97; not a 98 as I originally thought. Time to get a different Thermostat.

This is today's progress and it made me smile.

 

I put some lipstick on the pig. I'll color sand it in a couple of days and then start piecing it together.






I'll take better pics when the sun is out. It's a black base with 1/4 teaspoon violet pearl and 1/4 teaspoon frost blue pearl.

 

Well, she runs. I have four issues to address before she takes her maiden voyage. I need to pull the water pump cover off and check out the gasket. I have a small drip. I also have a small drip from the gas tank on the bottom. It's a pinhole, but a hole no less. The carbs need to be synced. Last, my temp gauge is showing very high (like 258-270 and flashing). I know it's wrong, because it's like that when I first start it. I haven't had the bike running long enough to warm up. So, I'll investigate that.

All-in-all, I'm quite happy with how things went this evening.

 

Great to hear, those sound like 4 pretty easy things to sort out. What are your plans for the pinhole? After how that tank looked, I'm surprised its just 1 little pinhole

 

Awesome job 1098!