Ironhead Stainless Gas tank?

[Rev. George]

Hi guys-

Trying to get a starting point on my "grand project"- a 71 sportster semi-basket case (only the tins and tanks were in a box). I got to looking at the tank, and yeah, there's some surface rust inside. And yes, I could remove the rust electrolytically and then put some coating in it, but I was thinking of doing something "cool", maybe even a custom tank. Of course that means some custom work, but if i didn't like to do that kinda stuff I wouldn't have gotten an engineering degree OR a sportster. But I was thinking- why not use stainless. I happen to have a good bit in the scrap pile, and have access to a full on metal shop. So I decided to look if anyone else made them, and I found like 1 vendor (in the states). Is there some reason other than cost that no one does this?

-+G

[Bozinski]

Originally Posted by Rev. George

Hi guys-

Trying to get a starting point on my "grand project"- a 71 sportster semi-basket case (only the tins and tanks were in a box). I got to looking at the tank, and yeah, there's some surface rust inside. And yes, I could remove the rust electrolytically and then put some coating in it, but I was thinking of doing something "cool", maybe even a custom tank. Of course that means some custom work, but if i didn't like to do that kinda stuff I wouldn't have gotten an engineering degree OR a sportster. But I was thinking- why not use stainless. I happen to have a good bit in the scrap pile, and have access to a full on metal shop. So I decided to look if anyone else made them, and I found like 1 vendor (in the states). Is there some reason other than cost that no one does this?

-+G

Sounds like it would be a great idea. Stainless would make a nice looking natural polished finish even without paint. I know Storz has a couple of aluminum tanks for Sporties...not really sure why no one does stainless. Unless someone does. Now I'm curious too.

[snowman]

What's it take to weld it, TIG?

[racerwill]

I would think that stainless is a good material for the tank...... especially if you have a full service metal shop and an engineering degree....add a couple of fenders and you're on your way to a very unique bike.

Ww

[Kobo]

Sounds really cool.

[roadtrip]

Originally Posted by snowman

What's it take to weld it, TIG?

That is the best,you can also use stick with the rods for stainless..for the big jobs.

When it comes too body work..lets say to add a small curve or an effect on a piece lead free solder works real nice..its sand able and you cant see it when painted...nice finish too it.

[racerwill]

Originally Posted by snowman

What's it take to weld it, TIG?

stainless steel is a generic term for a family of iron based steel alloys containing chromium..... for the most part they can be MIG welded much like other steel products......it's easier than welding aluminum but trickier than mild steel

Ww

[Shevieman]

Stainless doesnt hold paint very well also. I have alot of stainless sheetmetal background and about the best you can do as far as finish is to leave it with the grain (like your kitchen sink) or mirror finish it......these both can be very time consuming. not to mention that if you are not proficient at tig welding stainless you can overheat it and it will crystalize and leak. you definately wanna find a pro to handle this task. another downside to stainless is that it is EASILY scratched. now if it has the grain in it this is fairly easily fixed on small scratches but on deeper scratches it will need to be welded to fill it then refinished, on polished stainless there is alot of work to be done just to take out the normal scratches you would get from just washing it.

so i would think chrome is better in this case. its a great idea and would look good for a while but i think you would get tired of the maintainence involved. besides it does like to oxidize. one good day of rain and blah! of course you can wax it to keep that away but your back to the tiny scratches that would eventually make it look like crap.

once again chrome would work much better.

just my .02 cents (with this economy isnt worth anything like my advise..he he)

Shev

[tat2d2dope]

not to mention stainless is very hard to work with.

[Hopper]

Originally Posted by tat2d2dope

not to mention stainless is very hard to work with.

Big +1 on that.
That is why bike manufacuters have rarely used it for gas tanks etc. It is real hard to get it to bend and flow into curved shapes, partly because it is very strong and partly because it work hardens as you shape it, requiring heating with an oxy and slow cooling to anneal it back soft again. Normal gas tanks are pressed, or in the case of customs hand beaten, out of soft ductile mild steel that is made specially to be easy to work.

But I have seen a post, on either this forum or another someplace, where a guy was hand making stainless fenders, annealing them as he went. So it certainly can be done, with enough dedication.