Product Review

In this two-part series, Ron Covell goes through the process of making two very different motorcycle gas tanks. Part 1 shows a chopper-style tank being made from steel. Design, layout, patterning and buck construction are shown in detail. Hand shaping is demonstrated, as well as the use of a manual shrinker and the benchtop English Wheel. Part 2 shows a comma-shaped tank being made from aluminum. Design, layout, and patterning are shown along with annealing, hand shaping, and metalfinishing. Both the benchtop and full-size English wheel are demonstrated, and both TIG and gas welding are utilized. The tank is leak tested, and a method is shown for making hidden rubber mounts. Each step is clearly detailed, and described in a manner that is easy to understand. The techniques shown in this program can be used to make motorcycle tanks of any shape.