Beer can Master Cylinder reservoir

[petersenj20]

I have had a new lathe for almost two years now and finally made my first project. I melted down beer cans and rough cast a slug which went to the lathe.

It came out pretty good albeit imperfect. Maybe when I get the bike charging again, I can focus on making other parts.

[Agemax]

looks pretty rough, would be better and easier to machine one from a solid bit of ali bar or buy one from a specialist

[bobthebiker88]

not bad. you're makin me want a lathe now man. really making me want one.

[Texas Don]

Why not machine a sight glass window in the side of it to verify fluid level?

[trippivot]

fantastic!

[Nicholaschase29]

Very cool! Did you cut threads for the top to screw on? Did you put an O-ring or something on the lip to seal? Good conversation piece.

[Charlie G]

It looks great and I like the beer can recycle story line.

cg

[gsryder]

I personally think the fact that you made it and made it from beer cans is just AWESOME!!! Maybe it could use a little refining, only to be taken as constructive criticism but again AWESOME!!!!

[landshark]

I like it, anything homemade (especially from beer cans) is great. It is even better when it works!

[bwringer]

Very nice!


Is that beer all over the bike? You're supposed to drink it...

[petersenj20]

When I cast the slug, in my haste I forgot to add flux so it had all kinds of air pockets. I had hoped these would be minimal when I started cutting but not. I intend to recast it at some point and get a better polish.

The lid is attached with two countersunk screws. I haven't made the tooling for thread cutting, nor do I have the knowledge at this point. I like making the tools since they are cheeper, and it teaches me the use of the tool. Same reason I cast the stock in the first place. Very expensive to buy 3" aluminum rod.

I am looking to make Cam end caps and for certain a highway bar.

We went for a ride this weekend and I wound up with a dead battery half way out, so that takes priority before decorative parts. It's just not as fun

[Agemax]

When I cast the slug, in my haste I forgot to add flux so it had all kinds of air pockets. I had hoped these would be minimal when I started cutting but not. I intend to recast it at some point and get a better polish.

The lid is attached with two countersunk screws. I haven't made the tooling for thread cutting, nor do I have the knowledge at this point. I like making the tools since they are cheeper, and it teaches me the use of the tool. Same reason I cast the stock in the first place. Very expensive to buy 3" aluminum rod.

I am looking to make Cam end caps and for certain a highway bar.

We went for a ride this weekend and I wound up with a dead battery half way out, so that takes priority before decorative parts. It's just not as fun

great for a first effort. you can buy off cuts from ebay of ally rod, really cheap. i made my own cam end caps with a lump of ally that cost me £3.
keep practising and you will soon get the hang of it

[Matchless]

I like that! A beer label on it to verify its source would attract attention!

Dont change it at all. You do not want some one to confuse it with a common part i.e. #xxxxxxxxx "Front master cylinder reservoir turned from billet aluminum, polished to a high gloss" on page 5714 of the HD after market parts list manual for brake parts!
Yours is unique!

[Nessism]

When I cast the slug, in my haste I forgot to add flux so it had all kinds of air pockets. I had hoped these would be minimal when I started cutting but not. I intend to recast it at some point and get a better polish.

What about porosity causing leaks? I'm all for home built parts but not so sure in this particular case.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

I dig it. That's a good effort for a prototype. With a few process and materials improvements you could have a nice product. Let us know how it works and please show us the next one you fab up. Cool.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff