Columbia 1937 board tracker real gas tank

I normally don't build on ~$150 wally world type bikes but this caught my eye.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/39801995?...7321352&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=105949407872&veh=sem

The 'tank' is two pieces of pressed formed sheet metal that butt together in the middle via 2 struts attached to the frame via cut outs, two screws on each side plate, and top mounting hole to strut between the split top bar.

I thought I'd see if I can make it wide enough to get a filler and petcock on it and seal it up like Sportsman does.

I made new inner struts to widen the front 7cm wider and the rear 3.5cm wider.
NOTE: flattening the front struts V mount out straight gives you the back strut.

That leaves me enough room for the petcock, and with the wider front enough room for the filler I hacked off an old kit tank.

I found a spiffy thinner steel filler and venting cap that that is pretty darn cool.
If the bike falls over all you get is a little drip from the tiny vent hole as the cap is threaded with an O ring seal.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Custom-Fuel...h-weld-in-Bung-SMALL-CUSTOM-NEW-/191495380281


For the petcock I'm going with the new MB kit one with the threaded collar so you can orient the valve lever and it has a double long inner screen with a Normal and Reserve setting.
http://www.gasbike.net/gasoline-tank-switch-for-2.5-L-gas-tank.html

Reserve on this flat tank should be enough for 10 miles or more.

I got some poster board to cut out the templates for the sheet metal and thinking I'll just pop-rivet it on because I found this to seal up the tank.
http://www.caswellplating.com/restoration-aids/epoxy-gas-tank-sealer.html

A gas-proof liquid 2 part epoxy that creates a solid tank inside the shell.

Under $100 to NOT use a peanut tank is worth it, and the bike itself has potential for handlebars down board tracker feel or sit up nice beach cruiser.
Worth exploring for me ;-}

 

[panmines]

Ohhh my.

It is generally good to mount your engine as low it can go, but not so low that it creates problems!!!

Yeah, I envisioned having to offset the jack shaft in planning stage of the build. It's really an improvement rather than a problem because I have absolutely no chain rub between the jack shaft chain and the pedal chain. I actually recommend doing the offset modification even on a normal bike because one could easily accommodate a second chainring with a front derailleur and still have no chain rub problem.

 

[KCvale]

still have no chain rub problem.

Probably not but I see you throwing chain because the output sprockets are not square.

 

[panmines]

Probably not but I see you throwing chain because the output sprockets are not square.

I am not sure what you mean by "throwing chain". All sprockets on this bike are perfectly aligned and true. I've never had an issue with braking chains or having them fall off the sprocket.

 

[KCvale]

I've never had an issue with braking chains or having them fall off the sprocket.

Welcome to motorized bicycles ;-}

 

[KCvale]

You're talking just money-wise right? I can build the tank myself.
Like I stated earlier, I am basically interested because of the steel frame and I like how well the motor fits in the one you built.

Thanks KTOKTO ;-}

I have a new GT2A Grube allumn gas tank frame decked out a shift kit and an HS-142F 49cc 4-stroke engine.