Sweaty palms - tanks transfers......

[Sprunghub]

The replacement tank for my F1 is all painted up ready for the application of the lines.  I've bought the blue vinyl lining from Sunrise Graphics.  I'm sure it's the 'northern' sense of humour, but I love the way my precious delivery came with an A3 sized slip saying it's nigh on impossible for a DIY'er to do !!  Pity I didn't know that before I outlayed the dosh !  Given that little bombshell, it would definately have been cheaper to have had it done commercially - especially if I cock it up !

I have measured the 'lines' across the widest part & they're about 19 & 1/2" wide. My reference for applying them are some 1976 "Motor Cycle" Mag's which have loads of large, colour Promo pics of the F1's when they came to the market.....but.....if anyone out there has an original tank, I'd be really grateful for an indication of the height of the straight, bottom line above the lower edge of the tank.....I appreciate it's "stepped"......but anything would help......& an idea of the distance of the rear blue corner, from the back of the tank, so I can try & mark up the points with masking tape.   A measurement from the front edge of the tank to the front 'blue' corner may be useful, but the big 'curve' will probably make that difficult to measure & mark up.

Tears before bed-time I reckon.............ham-fisted isn't in it !!! .....good job you can't see both sides at once

[Spitfire]

Got my original (red) tank from my 76 F1 up in the loft (see below), if you still want measurements I'll have a crawl around up there for you, let me know.


Cheers

Den

[Sprunghub]

To be honest - if it's not too much trouble....it would be a great help.

My previous experience is with old Brits & Nortons in particular.  Everyone, being done by hand was unique....sometimes, radically so !!

Looking at yours.....& others, & the original 1976 photos'......I'm not convinced all the Honda 'factory' ones were identical either ?  Certainly the heavy 'blue' lines look broader on some & the distance between the 'badge' & the vertical seem to differ to.

Not that I'm 'anal'.......!

[Spitfire]

I was quite surprise at how rough the finish was on the original tank when I restored the bike, didn't really notice it when I bought it new, just shows how standards are higher now (or my expectations) . Will pop into the loft now and do some measuring.

Cheers

Den

[Spitfire]

OK, I measured at various points on the tank and to make it clearer marked what I had measured with tape.
Here's where I measured:

Top of the tank 8.3 cm, measured from the bolt location of the filler flap.

Bottom of tank, front 2.5 cm and rear 1.5 cm.


Front of tank, 9.3 cm, note not including seam (same as rear of tank)

And lastly tank rear, 1.6 cm, this is where the join is.


Cheers

Den

[Sprunghub]

Brilliant.....exactly what I needed ........thanks for that.

All I need now is a pair of steady hands !

[Sprunghub]

Hmm.....done it.....marked it up with 'low tack' fine masking as recommended, to Den's dimension.

Modern vinyls are VERY different in dimensions to those originals.

Have them on......bl**dy awful experience.  Don't think I'll need to wopry about what the wife thinks for a few day as I doubt she'll be speaking to me !  Probably should'nt have asked her to help

Daren't look to see how they balance up.....I think I know !  Good job you can only see one side at a time.

Going to have a lie down.......

[Spitfire]

Great to hear that you have done it, the important thing is that the finished article pleases you.

Cheers

Den

[Sprunghub]

Well, it's finished......had some difficult moments with the transfers & the lacquer, but, all in all, now it's done, I'm pleased enough.

It sounds 'naff' but having had some bikes I spent so much time & money on I never wanted to risk taking them out, I'm glad it's "good" & not superb, otherwise I could see it sitting in the garage  

Respect to those firms who do 'Show' quality work..........
 



Just need to sort a 'tail' & some side panels now.....

[Spitfire]

That's looking good, if I remember correctly there is a Halfords Ford colour that is a great match for the original side cover colour, used it on mine.
Just had a look and it is Ford Graphite Grey.

Cheers

Den

[Sprunghub]

Den, it's funny you should mention that ? because when I did my research into the original colours it said "Black"......& yet it "often" looks like a dark Graphite grey in some of the pics of the bikes "from the day" ?......so........I take it, from (your) personal experience - they were a dark 'grey' ?

Nigel

[mick]

Looking good Nigel  , can't wait to see the finished bike, cheers Mick.

[Spitfire]

Hi Nigel, yes the side covers from new are a very dark metallic(ish) grey, Honda called it Phantom Grey NH-43, the closest I came to it was the Ford colour. Foolishly I resprayed my covers Black to match the F2 tank that I fitted around 1986.
Here's a photo of my bike circa 1977 with the original colour cover that's not me sitting on the bike it's a very good neighbour.

Cheers

Den

And here's my side cover factory.