Elite 200 tank weld pics

[ajleone]

Thanks to the responses from my other post about dented tank repairs. I am still not sure what direction I will take on this. One consideration in the restoartion that I am starting to plan is to end up with tank welds that look like the factory welds. If someone has an Elite, or Supersport 200 and can shoot some pics of the weld lines from the front ears, I would really appreciate it. The Scrambler, Monza and Diana tanks all have a seam along the front ears where the bottom was attached to the top. The ELite 200 tank I have may have been repaired and there are no seams, just a weld bead and I am not sure that was the way it came from the factory. I can provide detailed pics of the tanks I have if anyone is interested.
Tony

[DewCatTea-Bob]

____ I-myself wouldn't go this way (just mainly to fix a fillable dent) unless.....
If I were a top-expert at this kind of welding work and also knew I could be successful from past only positive results, THEN I might consider also trying to do such an irreplaceable tank. _ But otherwise, I sure wouldn't trust it in the hands of anyone else, (mainly due to it's advanced age). _ Unless such an old tank has been forever stored in a drum full of oil, I'd worry that there just may not be enough metal left to be welded on, (at all locations of the intended welding).
__ I wouldn't have bothered to add this post of concern if we were talking about some Honda-tank, cuz ya can always get another one of THOSE.
I think that without having two of these (rare!) tanks, it's a too risky venture.
I'd just live with the dent, or fill it in IF the tank also NEEDS repainting.
__ Just a thought of cation.


Hopeful-Cheers,
-Bob

[ajleone]

Bob,
I hear what you are saying, but the Elite tanks are much heavier gage steel than any other of the tanks (at least the ones on my other bikes) which presents a bit of a problem in that it will be hard to pound out the dents from the inside of the tank than it would be if the steel was thinner, just using small hand-held tapping tools. FIlling the dent is not an option if I am going to have the tank chromed, which is something I am considering.

I still would like to see some pics of the front ear seams for the Elite tanks - I am curious as to how the factory delt with this heavier steel.

If anyone needs 2.5mm x 6mm screws for holding the side badges, I have 96 of them and will be happy ot share. I needed 4 and had to buy a bag of 100 !
Tony