So, Im working on putting that sweet new alien tank on my bike and holy crap, this is difficult when you don't have the right tools. For example:
1) I started drilling 3/4" holes in the backbone to weld threaded bungs into. I center-punched where the tank tabs would be and started off with small drills progressively moving up. It went well all the way up my regular drills. I then switched over to a uni-bit and continued on until I realized that the uni-bit was longer than the backbone tube is deep. No sweat, I'll research 3/4" drill bits with 1/2" shanks. Well I found out they exist and I bought one at Home Depot. Sadly when I got home I realized my drill is a 3/8" chuck. Back to Home Depot for a new drill. Got a Black and Decker 1/2" chuck drill. Tried drilling with it and I guess I need to step up in drill sizes like the uni-bit because that fucker will not drill!!! Ok, I can run to the store on Friday and pick up in-between size drills.
2) Well, it's still early and I'm a bit depressed because I can't drill my holes. So, I'll fire up my oxy/acetylene torch and cut the footpeg mounts of my old frame. Started to cut the 1st one off. I was able to hit it with my hammer and get it to come off. At that time I realized I was out of oxygen. So it's back to Tractor Supply this weekend to refill the oxygen tank.
I'm going to bed. I have pics to post, but I'll do that tomorrow.
New parts from Lowbrow Customs...
A couple of weeks ago I ordered some
parts from my friend Kyle Malinky's website Lowbrow Customs and ordered
some parts I need for my Vegas machine. I ordered:
1) Biltwell, Inc. Chromoly
Seat Hinge
2) Solo Seat Weld-On Spring Mounts
3) 1" long 3/8-16 thread
Tophat Blind Threaded Steel Bung
4) 3/8"-16 x 1" length
Button head bolt
5) Counterbore Steel Bungs for 3/8
Allen Head bolts
6) and a few Allen Head bolts to tie
it all together
Basically these fab parts I got in
order to mount my oil tank (1" long 3/8-16 thread Tophat Blind
Threaded Steel Bung and 3/8"-16 x 1" length Button head bolt), mount
something to sit on (Biltwell, Inc. Chromoly Seat Hinge and Solo Seat
Weld-On Spring Mounts) and make my sissy bar (Counterbore Steel Bungs for 3/8
Allen Head bolts)
Shoot ahead a week or so...
I was all set to use the Triumph
tank I got from Clay at Atom Bomb Customs for picking up a donor bike for him when
I inadvertently turned it upside-down. Imagine that, I'd never checked the
bottom of the tank so I never realized that one of the threaded areas for the
front tank mount was ripped away from the tank. Bugger!
So, I went back to Lowbrow Cutsoms
and spent about a week trying to figure out what tank I wanted. I narrowed it
down to their P-Nut tank, which does have a 70's style I was
really wanting or their Narrow Alien Standard Motorcycle Gas Tank which
is a newer style tank. I finally decided on the narrow alien tank.
I also ordered their:
1) Threaded Steel Bungs 1" long
3/8"-16 thread
2) 3/8"-16 x 3/4" length
Button Head bolts
3) Bayonet / Cam HD Style Vented Gas
Cap and
4) 2 1/4" NPT Straight Mini
Ball Valve with Reserve.
New sissy bar....
Well the beginning of one - This is 8 ft of 1/2" 1018 Cold Finish Mild Steel Round Bar -stay tuned for more pics of my building it