Maintenance and modifications, now 7 years on

^^^Your Our site needs a "Commiserate" button.
Fixed that for you. :)
If I gave you a "Like" it would almost be adding insult to injury. Just remember that this is a hobby and you do it for fun and relaxation!
I know, and I wish something more appropriate was available for certain specific situations like that. It's gotten to the point that things are working pretty damn well around here lately (touch wood, as the Brits say), but there's still a short punch list that could be addressed.

And despite my occasional yelling inside my garage when things I work so hard on go differently than you expect (or sideways), it really IS fun and relaxing.
 
I don't remember where he said he found it, but my SC buddy and Honda parts hound Chris found this Team Hansen hat and a medium t-shirt and bought them both. He gave me the hat when we visited before the Meltdown show, and sadly he said the t-shirt might have been a child's medium as it was so small he couldn't wear it.

Hansen hat.jpg

Can't be too many of these left out there
 
I suppose it had to come to an end sometime. I just didn't expect it to end this way.

A few years ago I discovered I'd left ethanol-infused fuel in my 450 tank a bit too long and some small rust spots started in the bottom of it. Quit letting it sit for any length of time with anything other than non-ethanol fuel in it and stopped that from getting any worse.

Now this. It sat outside covered overnight for a week at the cabin recently, including all day in the rain one of those days. I noticed what I thought were some little bits of plastic from the cover after putting it on while the bike was still a little bit warm one evening. But that isn't what it was.

For whatever reason, it decided the time had come for the chrome to start peeling. I took some carb spray to the 'spots" I thought would wash off, and nothing happened. So I tried some chrome cleaner very gently... and the chrome came off.

the spots:

spots.png

and the big ugly spot afterward:

20240522_160916.jpg

The centerpiece of the bike is now hosed, and the Ape 100 replica chrome tanks like mine from Tanaka Trading have been out of stock for a few years now.
 
Sad to see Tom,
Is the grey area bare metal?
If so I wonder the depth of the nickel plating which I think I can see right on the edges of the remaining chrome.

If you get the tank re chromed ask them to also do a layer of copper over the new nickel..
That should stop any future deterioration of the chrome plating.
So nickel, copper then chrome.

About the only places you don't use copper under Chrome is on Exhaust Headers.

cheers
 
Sad to see Tom,
Is the grey area bare metal?
If so I wonder the depth of the nickel plating which I think I can see right on the edges of the remaining chrome.

If you get the tank re chromed ask them to also do a layer of copper over the new nickel..
That should stop any future deterioration of the chrome plating.
So nickel, copper then chrome.

About the only places you don't use copper under Chrome is on Exhaust Headers.

cheers
Thanks Gary, but I think they may have just quickie-chromed it right over the primer because the gray area doesn't look like bare metal. It reminds me of chrome over plastic. I'm too discouraged to look closer at it right now, been spending the last half hour or so looking for another one. I'd love to get it rechromed, but around my area there are none and the last time I got something chromed in Tampa there was only one shop that would do it.
 
Well, if they chromed directly over primer ( paint?) then it was never going to last.
I used to think/assume that chrome was impervious but no. There are microscopic holes in that moisture enters and eventually will show rust spots unless regularly cleaned and waxed.
Although yours doesn't loom like rust but somehow the primer? has let go from the base metal and cracked the chrome .
The cost of chroming now means I polish and treat all my chrome. takes a while.

You may have to send it out if state to get it redone?
 
Oh man. That is wild that it totally delaminated like that. You’d think there would be something nearby with a city the size of Tampa. Maybe down towards Sanford/Deltona/Orlando? There always seems to be weird places like that. If you can find one not staffed with complete tweakers.
 
Well that just sucks. What about an aluminum tank and polish it like nuts?
I've mulled many possibilities so far, but the complication in any of them (except a replacement like I already have) is the fit. If I have to make any modifications to the existing tank mounts on the frame because of a change, the whole bike has to come apart again because the frame is powdercoated.
 
I'm too discouraged to look closer at it right now, been spending the last half hour or so looking for another one.
Sorry to see the chrome failure. I can imagine how distressing that would be. That tank was definitely a cool aspect of your bike, but your bike is a lot cooler than that tank and I'm sure you'll come up with a solid plan going forward.
 
That tank was definitely a cool aspect of your bike
Yes, after finding it in chrome, because of keeping chrome fenders it basically completed the look
but your bike is a lot cooler than that tank and I'm sure you'll come up with a solid plan going forward.
Thanks. Ideally, getting it rechromed or a new replacement would be the way to go. It still runs and rides like it is, so there's that. I'll figure something out, I always do. But it still sucks.

It's been one of those months. Our 12 year old Samsung washer is about to go (and we already bit the bullet for a new but yet to be delivered Speed Queen, tired of buying big brand names that aren't made in America anymore and don't last), the dryer heating element went out AGAIN (this will be the 3rd one in less than 5 years) and we came home from our vacation to find that a couple of rogue squirrels figured out they could jump from nearby trees to get to the bird feeders we've had in the same spots for the last 8 years, so we've been fighting with them. Trapped and relocated the worst offender this morning. So it goes living rural. Oh, and the only local seller of the Speed Queen washer charges $200 for delivery and setup... without haulaway of the old one. And the delivery distance is a whopping 20 miles. Wish someone would pay me $10 a mile to do something.
 
The tank situation would get my goat. Subsonic pellet gun for the squirrels. I ain't speedy and not a queen but hand wash means I use less dishes.

I feel ya though.
 
Subsonic pellet gun for the squirrels.
Oh I've been all over them with a pump BB rifle and a single pump .177 pellet pistol, but there are a couple that aren't learning from the pain lessons.
I ain't speedy and not a queen but hand wash means I use less dishes.
I replaced the dishwasher about a year ago with a new Bosch. This time it's the washing machine and when my wife wants new tools for what she does, she gets it without argument from me.
 
Sorry to hear about so many things piling on. Hopefully the bad luck streak ends with this.
Well, just now you certainly helped make that month a lot better.

Brody was smarter than me and looked on eBay, and found this - which I ordered immediately.


Thanks Brody!
 
Well, just now you certainly helped make that month a lot better.

Brody was smarter than me and looked on eBay, and found this - which I ordered immediately.


Thanks Brody!

I was gonna say sorry for your tank misfortune.. then I too started googling the make and model to help find you one.

Wow! Good work Brody 👍

Do you think there will be any preventative maintenance you can do to keep it from peeling again?
 
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Do you think there will be any preventative maintenance you can do to keep it from peeling again?
I don't know, maybe wax it more often (I probably only waxed it once early on). I'll be looking at it closely to see if any of the little telltale signs it was chromed the same way as the one I have.
 
Well done Brody and Tom.
the description below the item a says stainless steel.?
so highly polished and that won’t peel on you. Looks almost like chrome but with a very slight champagne tinge to it.
I have two 7 inch head lamp shells on my Fraser Clubman and they still look like polished chrome since I put them on in 2008. And I the car has been out driving in all types of weather.
that price for a SS tank also looks excellent!
cheers
 
the description below the item a says stainless steel.?
so highly polished and that won’t peel on you. Looks almost like chrome but with a very slight champagne tinge to it.
You're right, the description is a bit less than completely clear so we'll see. I also noticed that the sale is only for the tank itself, no other hardware, so it looks like I'll be using my cap and petcock (and my stick-on emblems, which will give me an opportunity to add the fake screw heads this time while they're off).
 
At minimum the tank wasn't terribly expensive and provided it mounts up easily gets back riding without a huge blemish that will bug the crap out of you.
 
At minimum the tank wasn't terribly expensive and provided it mounts up easily gets back riding without a huge blemish that will bug the crap out of you.
By description and the pictures, it looks to be the same exact tank. The original came from the Web!ke website in Japan by way of Tanaka Trading, but they've been out of stock for at least 5 years and probably didn't make the tank anyway. It will be a couple weeks before I see it but hopefully it lives up to what the ad shows. And amazingly it was only about $20 more than what I paid for the original going on 8 years ago.
 
By description and the pictures, it looks to be the same exact tank. The original came from the Web!ke website in Japan by way of Tanaka Trading, but they've been out of stock for at least 5 years and probably didn't make the tank anyway. It will be a couple weeks before I see it but hopefully it lives up to what the ad shows. And amazingly it was only about $20 more than what I paid for the original going on 8 years ago.
Are you considering having the tank you have now properly chromed if you can find a good shop?
 
I was wondering if you had also considered getting a larger tank for your bike ?
I guess you didn't see this part below in previous comments.
If I have to make any modifications to the existing tank mounts on the frame because of a change, the whole bike has to come apart again because the frame is powdercoated.
I suppose I could find a tank that the mounts could be modified to fit the existing frame mounts, but that would be just as tricky and of course, it would blue the chrome. And using a painted tank on my bike wouldn't look right as it currently sits.
 
Are you considering having the tank you have now properly chromed if you can find a good shop?
I don't know, maybe. But I can only imagine how pricey it might be considering the rear fender cost about $150 to get chromed roughly 7 years ago, and I have no idea if that guy is even in business anymore. I know there are places outside my area that do chrome, I'd have to get some prices before deciding to do it.
 
I guess you didn't see this part below in previous comments.

I suppose I could find a tank that the mounts could be modified to fit the existing frame mounts, but that would be just as tricky and of course, it would blue the chrome. And using a painted tank on my bike wouldn't look right as it currently sits.
You might need to set your bike up with a reserve fuel tank when you take a long ride.
 
I don't know, maybe. But I can only imagine how pricey it might be considering the rear fender cost about $150 to get chromed roughly 7 years ago, and I have no idea if that guy is even in business anymore. I know there are places outside my area that do chrome, I'd have to get some prices before deciding to do it.
I just got a quote to do the headers and front/rear fender here in TX. I'll go back to scrubbing what I can out with some scotch brite and WD-40 and live with the love taps and character. It was north of $500
 
I just got a quote to do the headers and front/rear fender here in TX. I'll go back to scrubbing what I can out with some scotch brite and WD-40 and live with the love taps and character. It was north of $500
Sounds about right, actually a bit cheaper than what I paid for just a fender before if you look at 4 total pieces, 2 of which are exhaust. If the new tank works out as it seems it should, I'll certainly have time to ponder it.
 
I don't know, maybe. But I can only imagine how pricey it might be considering the rear fender cost about $150 to get chromed roughly 7 years ago, and I have no idea if that guy is even in business anymore. I know there are places outside my area that do chrome, I'd have to get some prices before deciding to do it.

Sounds like what I am going through here in Memphis. There is one place here, but they have a 1 star rating due to not returning customers parts. People have had to hire attorneys to get them back. No thanks. There is no one else in a 200 mile radius that does re-chroming.

I’ve also submitted quote requests to places across the country, via their websites. Haven’t heard anything. I’m wanting to get that NOS CL450K4 exhaust done. I’m considering using WD40 and then high temp silver spray paint to hide the light rust that’s on them. I think I saw someone here do that once.
 
After doing some more searching, I believe I found the place I’m gonna use. They are a 1 hour and 50 min drive from me. They accept parts being shipped in as well.


They quoted me $500 for the NOS exhaust. The lady on the phone said if they receive exhaust pipes that have been used, it’s about a 4 month cleaning process to get them absolutely spotless for their tanks.
 
After doing some more searching, I believe I found the place I’m gonna use. They are a 1 hour and 50 min drive from me. They accept parts being shipped in as well.


They quoted me $500 for the NOS exhaust. The lady on the phone said if they receive exhaust pipes that have been used, it’s about a 4 month cleaning process to get them absolutely spotless for their tanks.
Thanks, I'll check them out to see what they have to say about the old tank.
 
The new tank arrived today. Very discouraging. They packed it in a "box" (read: folded cardboard FROM a box) that was basically the same size as the tank, and somehow thought a layer of the small bubble wrap would be enough to protect it from the demon shippers of the world.

foUdm8z.jpg


oyGhTkz.jpg


This end is where the mounting bracket sticks out from the back of the tank, hence the reason for the bulge. I'm amazed that part of it wasn't bent.

u9iZGu1.jpg


W2r03oD.jpg


0ZlUGFH.jpg


3cYJzYZ.jpg


8hDKjl2.jpg


YeY3FC4.jpg


and the obligatory chips of chrome that came off the tank

LyJtgf7.jpg


I internally emailed them through eBay and sent these pictures. Can't wait to hear what they have to say.
 
That looks like it got drug across the warehouse floor on the way to the box. Hopefully they're upstanding folks and take care of that.
 
Yeah, me too guys. Seems I'm on a roll of sorts lately.

Our washer died after 12 years, not complaining. Decided to spend more for an American made Speed Queen. Meantime the dryer also quit getting hot, so I ordered another heating element for it since the last 2 over a 3.5 year period have failed. Got the new one, installed it, still cold. Figured it was the main board or another sensor, dryer is the same age so I decided we'd look for a good used older one that is simpler. Seller of the washer (who charged a ridiculous delivery fee of $199 because their warehouse is in Lakeland, a ridiculous 80 to 90 miles from us) said the delivery driver couldn't haul away the old one. Not happy. Washer delivery driver arrived a few days later, said he was an independent contractor and would be happy to take both old ones off our hands. Tipped him $20 for doing so, tickled to death. Found a good used (2003) timer-style dryer, bought it and it was delivered. Plugged it in, did not run. Nothing. Called them and they said they tested it before delivering it that morning. Talked to my oldest friend who knows electrical and he asked if I checked the voltage at the plug. Got my meter, turned out one leg of the 220 outlet was low. Flipped the dryer pigtail wires opposite and then the "new" dryer ran but was cold.

You know the rest of the story.
 
Talked to my oldest friend who knows electrical and he asked if I checked the voltage at the plug. Got my meter, turned out one leg of the 220 outlet was low. Flipped the dryer pigtail wires opposite and then the "new" dryer ran but was cold.
I hate to even add anything here the way this is going… I’m sick seeing your tank, literally, and now the new one also.

Our last power outage, when I talked about the generator, fried our 30A dryer breaker in the main panel. I thought it was from me messing around in there installing the generator breaker. Our dryer did the exact same thing the day after; turned on and spun, but no heat. Turns out, one leg (wire) powers the panel and drum motor, and the other powers the heat. Test results; only one side hot at receptacle, and only one side hot at the breaker. Put in a new 30A breaker, runs fine now. Maybe check your breaker unless a new receptacle fixed it, that’s where I was going to start.

Hang in there, we’re all pulling for you.
 
Maybe check your breaker
That's what ended up happening, and when I said above "You know the rest of the story" it's because that's all that was wrong - but like an idiot, I let the delivery guy haul away my old one before realizing it was only a bad breaker. Already fixed, new-to-us used dryer working fine.
Hang in there, we’re all pulling for you.
Thanks, I appreciate it. I really can't complain, we had a nice long run of reliable stuff despite a bit of a short life from the replacement dishwasher I put in right after we moved here. But even that wasn't too horrible, it went almost 7 years. But I can't help feeling stupid for not doing enough troubleshooting and just going straight for the likely suspect.
 
You know the rest of the story.
Well, I didn’t actually… but I’m glad at least now you have a working dryer. But still, darn it. Sorry, Tom. I wish I’d thought to post our dryer mishap with the other generator info. 🤷‍♂️
 
Well, I didn’t actually… but I’m glad at least now you have a working dryer. But still, darn it. Sorry, Tom. I wish I’d thought to post our dryer mishap with the other generator info. 🤷‍♂️
Thanks, but of course you had no way of knowing. It wasn't a very expensive lesson learned, but a lesson nonetheless. Be more thorough next time.
 
Hang in there, we’re all pulling for you.
This was for ALL of the BS/crap you’re dealing with, stupid chrome AND the dryer. Is it weird we both had similar generator preparedness issues, and appliance issues… wait, don’t answer that.

I’m done, back to the thread at hand. Carry on, Tom…
 
Yeah Tom, it's pretty cool that you've done so much with both the bike and the home. Your sharing sure helps me with challenges.
 
Yeah Tom, it's pretty cool that you've done so much with both the bike and the home. Your sharing sure helps me with challenges.
I try to do as much as I can to save money, and we've been fairly fortunate with only minor repairs needed in the 8 years we've been here. I just try to save money where I can, I know you do the same.
 
Yeah, me too guys. Seems I'm on a roll of sorts lately.

Our washer died after 12 years, not complaining. Decided to spend more for an American made Speed Queen. Meantime the dryer also quit getting hot, so I ordered another heating element for it since the last 2 over a 3.5 year period have failed. Got the new one, installed it, still cold. Figured it was the main board or another sensor, dryer is the same age so I decided we'd look for a good used older one that is simpler. Seller of the washer (who charged a ridiculous delivery fee of $199 because their warehouse is in Lakeland, a ridiculous 80 to 90 miles from us) said the delivery driver couldn't haul away the old one. Not happy. Washer delivery driver arrived a few days later, said he was an independent contractor and would be happy to take both old ones off our hands. Tipped him $20 for doing so, tickled to death. Found a good used (2003) timer-style dryer, bought it and it was delivered. Plugged it in, did not run. Nothing. Called them and they said they tested it before delivering it that morning. Talked to my oldest friend who knows electrical and he asked if I checked the voltage at the plug. Got my meter, turned out one leg of the 220 outlet was low. Flipped the dryer pigtail wires opposite and then the "new" dryer ran but was cold.

You know the rest of the story.
So it's true, even in the laundry, carb problems are electrical problems :D
 
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The new tank arrived today. Very discouraging. They packed it in a "box" (read: folded cardboard FROM a box) that was basically the same size as the tank, and somehow thought a layer of the small bubble wrap would be enough to protect it from the demon shippers of the world.

foUdm8z.jpg


oyGhTkz.jpg


This end is where the mounting bracket sticks out from the back of the tank, hence the reason for the bulge. I'm amazed that part of it wasn't bent.

u9iZGu1.jpg


W2r03oD.jpg


0ZlUGFH.jpg


3cYJzYZ.jpg


8hDKjl2.jpg


YeY3FC4.jpg


and the obligatory chips of chrome that came off the tank

LyJtgf7.jpg


I internally emailed them through eBay and sent these pictures. Can't wait to hear what they have to say.
You will have no problems getting a full refund. That's one good thing about eBay and there is no grey area with this example.

A do a fair amount of business on eBay both as buyer and seller and I would have to say 85% of what I receive is insufficiently packed for protection.
 
You will have no problems getting a full refund. That's one good thing about eBay and there is no grey area with this example.

A do a fair amount of business on eBay both as buyer and seller and I would have to say 85% of what I receive is insufficiently packed for protection.
Here's what their initial response was:

"Thank you for your message and so sorry case this trouble to you .we just check found this item now only one but still have blemish.so could your try repair this item .we'll give you US$15 refund or you can return to our .we'll full refund is that ok ??
Look forward for your reply
have a nice day"

There was no offer to cover shipping with a return label, and I'm not paying to ship something back to someone because the way they packaged it meant it was not usable on arrival. So the 'discussion' continues.
 
I am honestly beyond words with how poorly that tank was packaged especially compared to some other things I have ordered such as the shift drum neutral stopper which was packed like a Fabergé egg. If they give you very much grief just reach out to E-Bay.
 
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