During the disassembly process for Project 18 I discovered something I can't really explain. The fuel tank I refinished for this project came from another bike. When I went to fit it onto Project 18 it was...too wide.
The rear portion of the tank slips between the subframe rails and this tank simply wouldn't. After taking measurements from four other bikes, I determined that this particular tank and it's subframe were actually wider than the others.
The rear portion of the tank slips between the subframe rails and this tank simply wouldn't. After taking measurements from four other bikes, I determined that this particular tank and it's subframe were actually wider than the others.
The larger tank (on the right in these photos) measures a whopping 1 1/4 inches wider at the rear and 5/8 inch wider at the mid point.
The subframes measure the same at the front (frame) mounting point but 5/8 inch wider at a point near the tank's rear mount.
I've never encountered this before, but then I've never had an occasion to measure tanks, assuming they're all the same. Did Honda get a batch of "Fat Boy" tanks from a supplier and just build a wider subframe to accommodate them? Are these tanks for a different market? There's nothing special or different about the bike this came off that I can determine; it's a 1986 750F, RC24, production number 651.
The subframes measure the same at the front (frame) mounting point but 5/8 inch wider at a point near the tank's rear mount.
I've never encountered this before, but then I've never had an occasion to measure tanks, assuming they're all the same. Did Honda get a batch of "Fat Boy" tanks from a supplier and just build a wider subframe to accommodate them? Are these tanks for a different market? There's nothing special or different about the bike this came off that I can determine; it's a 1986 750F, RC24, production number 651.
In any case, I'm fortunate that I still have the bike with the proper subframe in my possession. This will require a subframe swap, of course, so yesterday I removed the part from Project 18. This gives me better accessibility to the shock area for shock removal and general detailing, though this low-mileage bike is amazingly clean.
I'm sending the original shock off to Jamie Daugherty for rebuild and upgrading. In the meantime I've mounted a shock from the stash so I'm able to move the bike around the shop.
In the background of this photo are visible the repainted wheels which are part of this build. They will get fresh rubber mounted up today. This project is moving right along.
I'm sending the original shock off to Jamie Daugherty for rebuild and upgrading. In the meantime I've mounted a shock from the stash so I'm able to move the bike around the shop.
In the background of this photo are visible the repainted wheels which are part of this build. They will get fresh rubber mounted up today. This project is moving right along.
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