1963 BSA | Fender Mounting

by with No Comment FabricationFender FabricationRear fender strutWelding
  • I needed the tabs to contour the rib in the fender.
  • I heated the tab up and bent it around a piece of round stock.
  • It worked out so the raised part of the tab was able to be welded to the frame.
  • I bent additional tabs and tapped and welded them to the inside of the fender.
  • This is where I was able to weld to the frame.
  • Starting the fender strut.
  • I set it up in the vise so I could bend the tab around the round stock.
  • I welded only the back side leaving the front clean.
  • I bent some flat strap to the shape of the fender. This is where the strut will bolt to the fender.
  • Meeting the strut ends to the fender mout.
  • I added some extra weld then ground it down for a nice finish.
  • Final fender mounted.

Custom mounting of a Wassell style rear fender and making a custom fender strut. I found this Fender on the TC Bros web site. Joe, the owner of the bike, like it so I needed to get it mounted. The original fender was a flat fender which didn’t look bad but the ribbed fender really matches the BSA gas tank. Also the Wassell style fender is not as wide as the flat fender was, so it contours the tire better for a tighter cleaner look. Making the front mounting tabs I matched the ribbing of the fender. I backed the fender with tabs that I drilled and tapped for easy removal and installation of the fender. I made a strut for the back portion of the fender. I bent, drilled, and tapped flat strap to mount to the fender. Then I used 3/16″ solid round stock to join the fender to the frame of the bike. I bent tabs around the stock for a clean simple look.

https://www.tcbroschoppers.com/

KZ750 Four | Exhaust Header Repair

by with No Comment RepairWelding

I was taking apart the KZ750 and got to the exhaust. The exhaust wrap I had on there was in bad shape. It was unraveling and losing its color. So I took it off. The bottom two pipes on the header had some dents. I decided to fix the dents by cutting them out and hammering them back into shape. Then I simply weld back in the pieces. After some grinding and paint the header is back in shape.

KZ750 Twin | Rear Hoop Tail Light Pocket

by with No Comment FabricationsubframeTail light pocketWelding

Ok, let’s put a rear hoop on this KZ 750 twin. Charles came to me needing a little work. He wanted a rear hoop and tail light installed on his bike. So I said, no problem! Charles was also wanting the tail light to be set into the frame.

I first started out concentrating on the rear hoop. Measuring the distance between the frame rails I knew it was going to be wider than my dies diameter. I have run into this in the past and found that making smaller bends and bringing them together to make the right size hoop is the answer. The side effect is more of a pitched shape to the hoop rather than the conventional U shape, which I dig. I attached the hoop with solid slugs that are plug welded as well as welded at the seam.

Now on to the tail light “pocket”. This is all sheet metal work and I’m using 20ga steel. I made what I call the “backing plate” first. I trace an elongated oval and cut it out. Then I radius my piece to the same curve of the new hoop. For the “pocket” I bend 20ga around a piece of .5” OD round stock, making sure it’s a 180 degree bend. Then using the “backing plate” I trace out the excess material to be removed. After it’s removed the backing plate will take its place. At this point the tail light pocket is made and needs a place to go. I cut out a section of the new hoop to make room for the pocket.

Once I weld the pocket in it’s just a matter of cutting the protruding material to leave a clean profile in all directions. The light will be contoured to the hoop and set in the pocket. Now, Charles has a sweet custom hoop and more over his tail light is set in the frame!! I dig it and so did Charles!!

Customer Project | Honda CB Gas Tank Mod

by with No Comment FabricationGas Tank ModificationWelding

Ok, so Sean came to me with a little project. He wanted to flatten the sides of his Honda tank, “the flatter the better”. I started out by making really rough cuts, just to get some material out of the way. Then I started to map out my final cut with 1/8″ fine line tape. This was working well, but in the back of my head I was remembering Sean saying “the flatter the better”. So, I noticed that the bottom seem of the tank was nice and flat. I was able to use that as my guide line to making a nice flat cut.

After I had my final opening I needed templates. The easiest way to make those is a set of dirty hands. I placed a piece of paper atop each opening. Then using my hands I rub the edge of the openings. This leaves a outline of the shape I need. When transferring the template I add a 1/8″ all the way around to make sure its oversized. I will latter trim it down to an exact fitment.

After I had the templates trimmed down it’s time to weld them on!! Sean also wanted a new gas cap and bung so I welded the one he provided in place. I was happy with the end result, at first I wasnt to sure about the flat sides. But seeing the finished product my opinion was changed. I ground down my welds, pressure tested for leaks. Oh yeah, Sean liked it too!!

I forgot to take photos of the finished tank so next time I see Sean hopefully Ill remember to take some.

KZ440 |”Black Beauty”

by with No Comment Custom SeatFabricationFender FabricationPaintSeat PanTurn SignalsUncatagorizedWelding

before-after-kz440

 

Well, I finished Aaron’s Kawasaki 440 twin. I can say that I am stoked on the end result and Aaron was smiling when he rode off, so I think he liked it too. I thought the stock look was good, it just needed a little cleaning up. So in no particular order I shortened the subframe and hooped it in. I also made a new seat pan to match the new subframe, getting rid of the bulky stock seat. I shortened up the original fenders, cleaned and painted everything. Aaron designed the seat stitch pattern and polished the center of the gas tank. This was a fun bike to transform and a definite head turner!!