Author Topic: petrol tank repairs and chromeing  (Read 5798 times)

Offline bob flashman

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petrol tank repairs and chromeing
« on: 25.03. 2010 22:28 »
Hi I have a few dents in my petrol tank and i was wondering if any body could recomend some one ideally in the north west area as i live in cumbria, but if there is nobody in this area i am willing to go further afield p.s. sorry should have also said in uk thanks in anticipation Bob.

Offline Stu55Flash

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Re: petrol tank repairs and chromeing
« Reply #1 on: 26.03. 2010 01:11 »
I live in North West Cumbria, Cockermouth area. I use Cumbria Plating Services at Carlisle. Ring Alastair on 01228 819324. I can recommend them. I am taking my Golden Flash Tank tomorrow to have the side panels chromed he also fills dents and did a great job of my Fanny B bits and pieces.

Stuart
"Keep a distance from lady "L" drivers in cars. Some are not mechanically minded, are slow to acquire road sense, an are apt to panic..." The Pitman Book of the BSA Twins.
Golden Flash Plunger 1955, Francis Barnett Falcon 67 1954, Ferguson TEA Tractor 1951. Looking for another project!

Offline Josh Cox

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Re: petrol tank repairs and chromeing
« Reply #2 on: 26.03. 2010 09:39 »
Quote
he also fills dents

How does he do that and still be able to chrome over it ?.

When I had my tank done the guy cut a hole in the bottom of the tank and then heated and panel beat them straight.

Was under the impression that you could not chrome over silver solder ?.
Black 1953 Golden Flash Plunger

Offline Rusty nuts

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Re: petrol tank repairs and chromeing
« Reply #3 on: 26.03. 2010 10:05 »
I used Hartlepool Radiator Company, not too far from you.
 http://www.fuel-tank-renu.co.uk/
Speak to Stan, he has a guy who can pull dents without cutting the tank or using self tapping screws/weld etc.
Got 18 dents out of my tank for £110 several other quotes were all in excess of £250.
 He's a genuine nice bloke to boot!
1949 A7 Plunger
1947 A7 Rigid Star Twin
1969 Triumph T120R
1972 Triumph T120V

Online olev

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Re: petrol tank repairs and chromeing
« Reply #4 on: 26.03. 2010 10:56 »
I've heard that you heat the area up then apply dry ice or liquid nitrogen.
The dent is supposed to pop out magically.
There is a lot on the internet about this.

I was alcoholicly challenged when I tried it. the only result was frost bitten fingers.
cheers

Offline bl**dydrivers

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Re: petrol tank repairs and chromeing
« Reply #5 on: 26.03. 2010 13:09 »
dont they use lead to fill the dents up first?

Online trevinoz

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Re: petrol tank repairs and chromeing
« Reply #6 on: 26.03. 2010 23:16 »
Josh,
            It is possible to plate over silver solder and even soft solder.
Depends whether the plater wants to.
Trev.

Offline MG

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Re: petrol tank repairs and chromeing
« Reply #7 on: 27.03. 2010 09:48 »
I've used brass solder on several occasions to fill up dents. No plater ever has a problem with chromeing over brass.

Another nice way to get dents out of a tank is to pressurize it with compressed air and carefully heat the dented area with the oxy-acetylene kit. With a bit of care and practice this works very well.

Cheers, Markus
1955 A7 Shooting Star
1956 A10 Golden Flash
1961 Matchless G12 CSR

www.histo-tech.at - Restoration, Repairs, Racing

Austria

Offline Josh Cox

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Re: petrol tank repairs and chromeing
« Reply #8 on: 27.03. 2010 10:10 »
Thanks Trev.

MG, that sounds like a grand idea.
Black 1953 Golden Flash Plunger

Offline muskrat

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Re: petrol tank repairs and chromeing
« Reply #9 on: 27.03. 2010 10:25 »
G'day all,
             about 25 years ago I had my original '51 A7 tank lead wiped and re-chromed. Came up really well but if you looked real close the wiped bits had a goldish hue. 2 weeks later tank met big rock due to my very wobbly boot ( too drunk to walk ossifer ). I swore I'd never do it again. That's why it's just painted black.  *beer*
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR, '78 XT500, '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
Australia
Muskys Plunger A7

Offline dpaddock

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Re: petrol tank repairs and chromeing
« Reply #10 on: 27.03. 2010 15:11 »
Rusty, I checked the Hartlepool site. It states that they cut the tanks into two parts.

There is no need to cut the tank or to fill dents. A skilled beater can work through the filler opening and produce a superb product. I had such work done here in the US for my Gold Star tank which had seen a dreadful beating.

David
David
'57 Spitfire


Offline Stu55Flash

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Re: petrol tank repairs and chromeing
« Reply #11 on: 27.03. 2010 17:55 »
The problem with some old tanks is that they rust from the inside as well. After the plater has pickled the tank there is often not enough thickness to stand up to heating and filling. The thin metal just sags with heat. I am having this problem now. I may just paint the thing.

Stu
"Keep a distance from lady "L" drivers in cars. Some are not mechanically minded, are slow to acquire road sense, an are apt to panic..." The Pitman Book of the BSA Twins.
Golden Flash Plunger 1955, Francis Barnett Falcon 67 1954, Ferguson TEA Tractor 1951. Looking for another project!

Offline MG

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Re: petrol tank repairs and chromeing
« Reply #12 on: 27.03. 2010 18:07 »
Stu, what about a repro tank?
For 250 pounds you get a brand new, chromed one (made in India, of course). If you are interested, I could give you the phone number of a guy in Hertfordshire. He made the tank for my A10, based on the original one I brought him as a template, the repro came out pretty good.

Cheers, Markus
1955 A7 Shooting Star
1956 A10 Golden Flash
1961 Matchless G12 CSR

www.histo-tech.at - Restoration, Repairs, Racing

Austria

Offline alanp

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Re: petrol tank repairs and chromeing
« Reply #13 on: 27.03. 2010 18:46 »
Watch out for the Indian tanks, I bought one for my Goldie and found that the underside channel which fits over the frame was too wide causing the tank to wobble from side to side and also it was shorter from front to back. However, they are significantly cheaper if the above doesn't matter to you.  Another word of advice though, don't part with your money until you've actually seen the tank, the chrome sections are not always as good (i.e. even surface) as you might want.
Member of the 'Last of the Summer Wine Club - Jennycliff'.

Offline Rusty nuts

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Re: petrol tank repairs and chromeing
« Reply #14 on: 27.03. 2010 19:50 »
Rusty, I checked the Hartlepool site. It states that they cut the tanks into two parts.

There is no need to cut the tank or to fill dents. A skilled beater can work through the filler opening and produce a superb product. I had such work done here in the US for my Gold Star tank which had seen a dreadful beating.

David

No, that's another service they offer.
They did not cut my tank.
1949 A7 Plunger
1947 A7 Rigid Star Twin
1969 Triumph T120R
1972 Triumph T120V