Making Motorcycle Gas Tanks Part 1
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ม.ค. 2025
- This 9-minute video shows highlights from the 2-hour 46-minute long 'Making Motorcycle Gas Tanks' DVD.
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I have lots more TH-cam videos, and here's a link to my website - which lists 20 full-length videos you can rent, stream, or download, plus the Covell line of fine-quality metalworking tools: covell.biz/
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Ron, honestly, your skills are just mind blowing. You make this amazing craft so simple. Thank you for posting.
I'm glad you enjoyed the Motorcycle Gas Tank video. Please check out some of my other videos - there are a lot to choose from, and each one has some interesting content!
@@RonCovell can u email me?
Ron you have inspired me greatly .
So informative and your teaching and trade skills are amazing.
A master craftsman and teacher!!!!
Thank you so much!
Wow. Ron, you are amazing at what you do. I have deep respect for craftsmen like you! Unlike today, where people just use a 3-d printer, you can create with your hands.
Thanks - and I have a lot of respect for those who know how to use 3-D printers!
Wow Ron, you've definitely given me confidence and inspiration to make my own gas tank. I'm in the design phase of building a chopper and I just assumed I'd buy a gas tank and paint it, but custom making one by hand is so much cooler. Thanks!
That will be a great project for you!
I've watched and read so much of your demonstration and techniques always go back to this one. Thanks Ron.
I'm so glad you have enjoyed the content I have uploaded. I plan to get more videos online soon!
Wow I'm totally blown away. I've got to say I'm star stuck that you took time to respond to my comment. Looking for to more content I've learned a lot from you. Thanks again Ron.
Ron Covell I'm fan of you.. specially the way you create some mind blowing masterpiece..
Please fabricate whole bike from starting to ending state..
Ravinder Singh - I don't know when I might make a video about a complete bike build, but I do have a video on chopper chassis: th-cam.com/video/aSAwKLiBLMU/w-d-xo.html and you can see a front fender being made on this video: th-cam.com/video/2PNl7QwURPs/w-d-xo.html
A true craftsman; makes it look easy
Glad you liked it!
Thanks for making all these resources Ron. Highly informative! You do great work!
I'm very glad you enjoy them, and there are more on the way!
Man, this guy knows his stuff, by gosh, cheers mate, thanks for the insight, very informative
Glad you enjoyed the video!
Thanks Ron, very intresting.
I'm glad you liked it!
With Tools. It's Easy.
Thank You From Brazil.🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
Glad you liked it, and took the time to comment!
@@RonCovell you are professional. Good Locky in your projects.
Excellent craftsmanship!
Thanks!
Love this Guy man He is The best.
+Tank Mccallum Thank you so much for your high praise!
Gnarly AF!!!! 😎 Great skills.
I'm so glad you liked this video, and took the time to comment!
Thank you for your time
Glad you liked it!
This is awesome. I guess now the only thing I need to do is learn carpentry, welding, metal working and buy all the equipment… gotta start somewhere I guess
You might like my newest video, where I dispense with most of the expensive equipment:
th-cam.com/video/MaZ_tdqPRAQ/w-d-xo.html
Here is a question. If you had a batch order to make say 10 tanks of the same shape. From getting your eye in and making the first one carefully what will be the difference in time between the first one and the 10th which you could will save? There are so many old bikes which need restoring but the skills needed to make tanks seem to be hoovered up by the big money classic car restorations.
deepinder cheema Great question! Certainly there are 'economies of scale' that make multiple parts more efficient to manufacture than making one part at a time. For example, all of the cutting could be done in one 'go', which is more efficient than cutting one tank at a time. Also, it would be possible to make one tank, cast some simple molds from it, and use the molds to speed the shaping of the other parts. It's often possible to make simple clamping and holding fixtures that will speed the work, too.
I've never made 10 tanks, so I can't give you a direct answer, but the more you make anything, the more efficient you get.
This video came in handy . Thanks
That's great news, indeed!
Wow what a metal worker
man this guy sure makes the process look easy
One of the beautiful things about video is that you can cut out all of the boring and slow-moving parts!
It looks wonderful, which is typical for the master.
Thanks for the kind words!
@@RonCovell this world is overloaded with people who can’t do anything useful or beautiful with their hands and their heads, and it’s always nice to see the work of an artisan worthy of respect.
Extraordinary! Very nice job! Congrats
Glad you liked it!
Holy hell. I love your website. I'm going to learn everything!
I'm so glad you found my TH-cam channel. I plan to post more videos in the future!
@@RonCovell That's awesome. I'm learning your tig welding course right now. Excellent material.
I went to a hell of a lot of trouble to get this vidio, but it was well worth the effort.
Andy Clockwise - I'm very glad that you enjoyed the video, and don't forget that all our videos can be streamed or downloaded from our website, which eliminates the cost and delay of shipping!
@@RonCovell Thanks Ron that is very handy.
Sir can you make a video on headlight round doom for motorcycle i have some photos of it i realy want to make it plz teach me how do i do it?
Send your picture to me here: covell@cruzio.com. No promises, but I'll take a look!
Good job mr Covell!!!
Thank you kindly
you should bend the bottom edge of the tank 90 deg to add structural strength. A butt joint won't cut it.
Thanks for the tip!
Muy bien trabajo felicidades
¡Muchas gracias!
Nice video bro im looking forward to buildibg a cafe racer tank for my z650, this will definetly be a purchase
+Joe Gardiner Great - check out our website - www.covell.biz
Thanks 👍😊
Thank you too!
@@RonCovell 💯🌹
What kind of welding is better for a gas tank like that?
Robert Storer B. I prefer TIG welding, but the Harley factory MIG welds their tanks. Some people prefer gas welding.
Thanks!
are u willing to build the gas tank of 2014 Harley sportster 48 with 3.5 gallon ?thanks
+Dave 888 I don't do work for customers any more, but thanks for asking!
thanks have a good one.
Great video, amazing skills
I'm very glad you enjoyed it!
That's a Badass tank, thanks for sharing this awesome video. How much do you charge for a tank and gas cap that's not painted .. for a 1200 sportster
I don't build tanks for customers anymore. Evan Wilcox is one of the best in the business - here is his website:
www.wilcoxmetal.com/
@@RonCovell thanks I really appreciate it!
Hello Ron what kind of metal you are using and how thick it is?I am really an amateur and starting from scratch because i want to make a gas tank for my kawasaki gpz550 1981
For this tank I used 18 gauge (1.2mm) steel.
Hola, quiero hacer un estanque de 15 litros para una motocicleta HONDA XR 250R año 2004. ¿Cuál es el espesor de la lámina de metal que debiera ocupar?
Gracias.
+Miguel Gangas
Me gustaría recomendar a 1 mm o de acero de 1,2 mm .
+Ron Covell Muchas gracias. Saludos
This is art
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment!
What kind of material do you use for gas tank?
I used 18 gauge (1.2mm) cold-rolled mild steel.
@@RonCovell thank you
Thanks for the the video!
Glad you liked it!
nice informative sir! im not well good understanding in english. on what i see it looks like really can do easy handwork but with a little bit challenging while making a shape to form 3 pieces metal i guess shoud be important in build chopper bikes is to use artistic vision and good measurement. overall it same what i saw in Jesse james handwork gas tank. btw do u have a video to how make rear/front fender?
Thank you for watching, and commenting! I have a short segment on making a motorcycle fender here:
th-cam.com/video/2PNl7QwURPs/w-d-xo.html
muchas gracias por la repuesta perdon por la molestia que espesor es el acero 2mm ???
El acero que estoy usando es de 1,2 mm
muchas gracias !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saludos, admirable tu trabajo
Muchas gracias!
think you very much sir
Taghi Abdo Glad you enjoyed the video!
Question? What gauge metal did you use on this project?
Looks great, by the way!
Glad you liked it. I used 18-gauge steel sheet for this project.
question pls.. wat kind of sheet metal you use sir? or is it okey to use steel plate? thanks
I use 1008 Drawing Quality Steel.
Wow, nice work, 👌
Glad you liked it!
hello sir , can u pls tell me what is the thickness of the sheet , and is this stainless steel sheet ?
The material is 18-gauge mild steel, which is .048" thickness, or 1.214 mm.
I'm new to this and wondering what the hammers are called you are using?
+SSJREEZY The first hammer shown is a Martin pick hammer. Next is a teardrop mallet, and then a slap hemmer
Great work! what type of aluminium used? and what type of heat treatment used to make softer the sheet? Thanks a lot!
+Luca Brambilla I'm using 1008 steel for this gas tank, and no heat treatment is required.
What gauge steel is that ??
The tank is made fro 18-gauge steel.
What type of metal are you talking about in your video, I mean, is it rusty, is it processed, or is it regular iron sheet? Can you tell me please?
The material I'm using is standard cold-rolled steel sheet. It is not rusty because I buy it new, and store it carefully before use. If it is exposed to water with no surface protection, it will eventually rust.
Alright, I'm very new to this so don't judge me...
But how does the fuel on one side of the tank go the other side where I have my petcock?
Småländska Guden - If the tunnel is large, it can keep fuel on one side of the tank from reaching the side with the petcock. One solution is to have a removable cross-tube that joins one side of the tank to the other. You can see that in this video: th-cam.com/video/SvP6PGvdZ7s/w-d-xo.html
Thanks sir you and your videos are very amazing.i am a mechanical engineer I want to work with you.
I hope we can meet someday!
Good job
pasi rotti - Thank you so much!
Hi dear
very good video, thanks for sharing your experiences.
What kind of steel use?
What thickness you recommend?
greetings from Chile...
+Jesus Monzoncillo I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I use 1008 steel, because it's a bit softer, and easier to form than the 'normal' 1018 or 1020 cold rolled steel. The 1008 (Drawing Quality) steel is pretty hard to find in small quantities, so most people use regular cold-rolled sheet. The range of thicknesses is usually between 16 ga and 18 ga (1.6 mm and 1.2 mm). Some motorcycles vibrate more than others (Harleys, for example) and these bikes require thicker metal. Rubber mounting of a tank is always a good idea, to help prevent cracking from vibration.
hola ron .... que metal es este ,es chapa blanca 1010 ??? o aluminio ??soy de argentina gracias .
El metal que estoy usando es de acero 1008 ( calidad dibujo) .
beautiful tank...
Thank you!
Hey Ron..Thanks for you very informative videos,with no needless trash...i've made the english wheel for myself lately and gonna make my first gas tank..so how much time does it take to make this gas tank?
I would figure about 3 days to make and mount a tank like the one in the video. I have two more motorcycle tank videos on TH-cam, which you might find interesting, too.
that tank is sick where can i get one
I'm very glad you like my tank! I don't do work for customers anymore, but lots of other people do this type of metalworking.
ok thanks, its the perfect custom chopper gas tank
Hallo. Was würde ein 25 l Tank für eine vn1500 bj 1994 kosten? Aus Alu
Mfg
Danke, dass Sie gefragt haben, aber ich arbeite nicht mehr für Kunden.
Eres todo un artesano 👍👍👍
Muchas Gracias
hi what kind of metal is that???
I'm using steel to make this gas tank.
Ron Covell What gauge?
TheNewNoise7 I'm using 18-gauge steel sheet
Pomo podria hacer el modelo de la plantilla aki en saludos de Ecuador
Gracias por tu comentario. No hablo español, así que estoy usando Google Translate. Mencionas que Pomo podría crear el modelo. ¿Puedes explicarme eso, por favor?
Ron, how do you make the buck, can I buy one online or do I have to make one?
Most people make their own bucks. This video is a highly shortened version of my 2 hr. 40 minute video that shows a lot more detail on how this buck was made.
You can see a good online article on making a gas tank buck here:
www.hotbikeweb.com/how-to-create-gas-tank-buck
what kind of welding??
This is TIG welding.
que calibre de lámina es y tipo de lámina sr Ron ?
The material is 1.125mm steel.
Humberto Salazar calibre 18 carnal.
What kind of tool did you use to sand the tank? I've been looking and can't find one that looks like yours or does the same thing anywhere
The rough sanding is done with a 50-grit disk on a 3" right-angle sander. The final finish is done with an 80-grit disk on a 6" air sander. I use a DA-style sander, which I lock to use as a disk sander. Last, I went over the welded areas with a flap wheel.
Sir please tell me how to do professional welding in gas tank please reply me I am Indian
It takes a lot of practice to get good at welding. TH-cam has a lot or educational resources. Here are two that I have made, and there are many more:
th-cam.com/video/Clg6e_c7Ua4/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/3sp1BP29J4E/w-d-xo.html
Hi, i checked the site for this DVD but it was not available under the DVD tab?
***** Go to www.covell.biz, click the DVD tab, and scroll WAY down to the 'Making Motorcycle Gas Tanks' DVD - it's second from the bottom.
Thanks Ron, found it.
I’m just gonna say it.. bob ross of metal fabrication
do you make them to sell? I would like you to make one for me.
Thank you for asking, but at this stage in my career, I enjoy teaching others to do this work, but I do not do work for customers anymore.
Hi, Ron. Thanks for the amazing job. Which radious do the round-over dies have? greetings from argentina!!
Cristian, I'm using the 1 1/2-inch (38mm) radius Round Over dies in this video. www.trick-tools.com/Covell-1-1-2-inch-Round-Over-Die-304-7880
@@RonCovell thanks !!
Is the material 1.125mm or 1.6mm? I see both quoted. I'm considering hydroforming some tank parts. Is this a method you've ever used?
I used 18-gauge steel for this tank, which is about 1.15mm. Some people prefer 16-gauge, which is about 1.6mm. Yes, hydroforming is a great process to use for forming sheet metal, but I have never used the process.
Thanks Ron
SUPER RON, CAN YOU DO THE SAME FOR MY SHOVELHEAD?
I'll give you a call the next time I'm in France!
@@RonCovell ha!ha!ha! I have good wine
Lindo trabalho Mister Covell !! Poderia fazer um de uma Cafe Racer ? Jorge Luiz Ubatuba Brasil
Obrigado! Eu não faço o trabalho para os clientes mais.
Thank you Mr ron for your videos but i have a cuestión Is that stainles steel?
I'm using mild steel for this tank. The number for the material I'm using is 1008.
Thank you Mr ron when i finish the tank i gona show it to you un a picture un a coment here.im sorry about my inglés im learning thaks thanks t
I look forward to seeing your picture!
On the bung you welded for the gas cap, did you sand the welds smooth? I've never done this before, just curious
I left that weld unsanded, so it would require a touch of plastic filler before painting.
awesome work :D
Thanks a million!
Amazing work bro! Can u tell me how much does it cost??💵
I don't do work for customers anymore, so I don't quote prices. You can find a LOT of reasonably-priced tanks at Lowbrow Customs.
@@RonCovell ya bro! I know that, I saw Ur replies on other comments.👍🏻.I'm just asking suppose, what will be the cost u will ask for a fuel tank made by U.🙂
Wow , his hands don't even get dirty !
Well, sometimes they do!
Excelente
Well, so far you seem to like 3 of my TH-cam videos. I have 40 uploaded, so I hope you find some more you like!
Could I possibly get you to build me a gas tank for a bike that I have? The bike is a 1982 Honda and I cannot find a gas tank for it. I'm trying for a restoration for this bike. Thanks.
Brandon, Sorry, but I don't do work for customers anymore, so I can focus on my own projects.
and for yor aluminim tank?
+Luca Brambilla I use 3003, H-14, and I usually anneal it (soften the metal by heating it to around 800 degrees Fahrenheit) before shaping with hand tools.
If you only buy one Covell DVD buy this one.
Thanks so much for the recommendation! This is definitely our longest video program, running over 2 hours and 45 minutes, and showing how to make two different tanks - one steel, and one aluminum.
@@RonCovell I had to go to some trouble and experience to get this poticuar DVD. But it is totally worth it. Thanks giving 100 percent.
Thanks, and if anyone else is interested, the DVDs are available on our website:
covell.biz/making-motorcycle-gas-tanks/
You can also stream the video here:
covell.cinevee.com/making-motorcycle-gas-tanks
NO HABLO INGLES PERO SE APRENDE MUCHO. BUEN VIDEO
Carlos Cerna Me alegro de que te haya gustado !
This job is not wide-spread, today all motorcycles are factory-built
Well, certainly the vast majority of motorcycles are factory-built, but in many countries there is an active network of artist-crafts persons who lovingly hand-build motorcycles.
Ron Covell I realize that this is what you said, of course, they work very artistically and beautifully, these motorcycle makers, and probably their product is also very expensive.
nice
Thanks for watching, and commenting!
english wheels are amazing
+K. CHAN Yes, English Wheels are great machines, and you can get a benchtop model which is relatively inexpensive
picking one up today
That's a great step - it will open a lot of doors for you!
I hope so
Muito bom
muito obrigado
Subscribed.
Thanks for the content.
Keep up the good work.
בס'ד
Thanks for the sub! I have over 100 TH-cam videos, so I hope you find some more that you enjoy.
@@RonCovellI was wondering if you have a video on restoring an in-tank moped frame; a good number of these frames are considered to be a loss if the integral tank is compromised. It seems from this video as if you have the capability to cut out and re-fabricate the fuel tank in a situation like that?
Thanks for the excellent suggestion. It has been over 60 years since I have owned a moped, and I have never repaired/replaced the tank on one. If such a job does come my way, I think it would make a great video.
Let me know if you have any other good ideas!
@@RonCovell OK, if I find one I'll let you know. They're not uncommon. What kind did you have? Did you have a Puch before?
It's been so long, I don't remember if mine was a Puch, or some other brand.
Love that he uses tools i can afford....look i would like ww II tools worth 20 grand but ...lol
You can do a lot with simple tools - in fact the only benefit of most expensive tools is that they can speed the work.
44 People have never built anything in their lives
Hmmm - maybe MORE than 44 people haven not built anything - yet!
sorry mate you are not trying to teach us how you are just promote your company ,, no no more interesting videos than this
I have 39 TH-cam videos posted. I suspect that you would learn some worthwhile techniques from most of them.
What kind of sheet metal do you use for the tanks? Thanks!
I use 1008 Drawing Quality Steel, which is hard to find in small quantities. If you can't find the drawing quality steel, you can use regular 1020 Cold Rolled Steel Sheet.