tank denting

[Guest]

I have been looking at some how to's and I am thinking of denting my tank (on purpose) for a more cafe-ish look as well as my legs since i am a bit tall. I will also be repairing it in the near future, but I just want to get more educated on the subject and get an opinion on how it would look for my tank. I am really still just looking around for inspiration on how to style my bike.

Here's some pictures (I know, they are not the greatest and the tank does look pretty ruff)

[redstedman]

There are a few tanks out there that have an indentation in the sides. CB500T for one. I think I would look at modifying the mount vs beating up the tank. The cafe look really sucks unless done with the right bike and a solid plan. The idea of removing the fenders is wrong, cutting off frame rails is wrong, a little spring seat wrong. There are some cafe bikes done well($$) but most are done crappy by silly young men trying to reinvent cool. Not that a ratted out POS isn't a bike. It just looks rookie & performs poorly.

[wegs426]

It is very satisfying to pound your own dents and you can get a nice custom fit. I have a few buckets with all sorts of special hammers in it, and I wouldn't recommend trying it without at least a few different hammers. Make sure they have a smooth surface. I would suggest a few with different radii.

I have a few pictures here and a few more in my build thread.


Test fit before final hammering and bar clearance dents.




Just take your time and plan ahead.

[Bonehead]

There are a few tanks out there that have an indentation in the sides. CB500T for one. I think I would look at modifying the mount vs beating up the tank. The cafe look really sucks unless done with the right bike and a solid plan. The idea of removing the fenders is wrong, cutting off frame rails is wrong, a little spring seat wrong. There are some cafe bikes done well($$) but most are done crappy by silly young men trying to reinvent cool. Not that a ratted out POS isn't a bike. It just looks rookie & performs poorly.

True, I guess I'll start scrounging around for some replacement tanks. It is not like I am simply hacking away at my bike, on the contrary I am just doing maintenance and just trying to get it run. In my mind it goes: get it running, get it safe, and if I have the money make it look nice.

It is very satisfying to pound your own dents and you can get a nice custom fit. I have a few buckets with all sorts of special hammers in it, and I wouldn't recommend trying it without at least a few different hammers. Make sure they have a smooth surface. I would suggest a few with different radii.


Just take your time and plan ahead.

I think for now I will just stick with trying to repair the dents and rust for now I may get another tank that I like the look of, but TBH I think its just out of my budget at the moment.
Thanks for the pictures and knowledge though