Been slowly putting together a nostalgic inspired bike that is really not replicating anything, but borrows heavily from the early days. I really admire the builders on the forum that make the fitted built up tanks. I have the skills and equipment but not near the patience. So Am building a tank in the style seen on some of the earlier bikes of the last century that were built from tubing. 3" PVC(actually 3.5"OD) seemed a natural. Its bonded with JB weld which I have used for years around gas, patching tanks etc. Has an .040 aluminum plate on one end an a top off an old coffee pot on the other. Wanting to make it look more realistic I added rivets. Had a bunch of aircraft rivets left from various past projects. Set up a drill bit with a model airplae wheel collar as a stop set at 1/8", thats half way through the PVC. Layed out my patterns, drilled the holes, and clipped the rivets to length. Put a dab of JB in the hole and drove em in. Gave a "metal" look to the tank. Going to run a fake copper vent tube from the filler neck to the aft end of the tank next. The tank will be mounted in a cradle with a leather strap to complete the look. So far excepting the fuel valve, I have less than tens bucks invested. Should paint and age out pretty well.
