De-stinking Penelope

[tkent02]

E

This part I like. Where are all of the other electrical bits going to fit?

I'm doing the same thing to '80 1000E, it won't fit easily. The SSPB is pretty big too from what I hear.

[Guest]

Yeah size matters right? I just installed my new SH775 the other night, couldn't believe how big it was compared with the SH532!

The only way I could fit mine was with the fins perpendicular to air flow... no other way to do it unfortunately but at least it's under the seat where it should get some air...

[rustybronco]

It was a nice day outside for once so I decided it was time to spend some time on the skunk and a few other projects that have been languishing around.

Made a pick out of a 3 ft piece of metal rod by heating the rod with an oxy-actylene torch and bent to fit my needs. Rounded and polished the end.



Used it and a body hammer to 'lessen' a couple major dents in the fuel tank. I was able to get about 75~80% of each dent removed.
Would have had to reshape the end of the pick to try and get more of the depression out but as it was I was struggling to hold the tank, apply effort on the pick and swing the hammer at the same time.

Called it good enough instead.





Unfortunately I won't get the chance to de-rust and reline the tank until two weeks from now.

[Nessism]

Yeah! Penelope's getting dusted off again. Looking forward to more updates!

BTW Dale, how the heck did you make the handle on that dent tool?

[rustybronco]

I made the handle by heating it, bending it while being held by a pair of vice grips and whacking it around with my snap-on body hammer. It came out rather nice if I do say so myself. Should have made the end a little more pointed but I made up that end sometime last year.

[Flyboy]

Yeah! Penelope's getting dusted off again. Looking forward to more updates!

'bout bloody time too, put everything on the back burner because of a little cold and white stuff...phaaaaaa, sissy 'muricans.

Actually,
Damn good job on those dings, Doc.

[Guest]

Called it good enough instead.

Good to see some progress, Dale.

For comparison, see what some of us had to work with and I'm sure you'll be pretty happy with your tank!

[rustybronco]

Ivor, I'd be calling in some favors and borrowing a stud gun to use on that tank. That or drilling a hole on the underside and pounding out those dents with a rod.

[Guest]

Ivor, I'd be calling in some favors and borrowing a stud gun to use on that tank. That or drilling a hole on the underside and pounding out those dents with a rod.

Thanks Dale... but I was speaking in the past tense...

The underside had ALREADY been opened up by a PO so all the dents in the photo are from after that surgery - must have had a hard life that tank, eh?

Anyhow, I used the putty only...

[rustybronco]

Today's project is to remove the old clutch backing plate and install the new H.D. backing plate nessism gave me.

[Nessism]

Today's project is to remove the old clutch backing plate and install the new H.D. backing plate nessism gave me.

Hey Dale, please don't cuss me for passing off that back plate on you while you go through the install. There is definitely a technique necessary to getting the springs compressed and the back plate seated, but I can't tell you what it is. I struggled when doing the "insert a washer" mod with a stock backplate and springs, and those HD parts may be worse yet. GOOD LUCK.

[rustybronco]

Ed, I was planning for a tough time when I get around to installing those springs.

That's the easy part. What worries me the most is when 'I' go to weld it.

[Flyboy]

hahahaha, says he who could not be dragged away from the Lincon stand at Oshkosh.

[rustybronco]

If I was using a TIG where I could add filler as I went along, I'll give you that.

Not using TIG and this isn't a trailer.

Everything hangs in the 'BALANCE' as it were.

[rustybronco]

Come to find out the new rivets appear to be made from stainless steel. Looks like 309L-16'ish is the rod to use to join stainless to mild steel.

I don't recall ever having welded stainless before.

Anyone have any tips on welding stainless that you can pass along?

***EDIT*** Sent a note off to big Jay inquiring about the HD backing plates metal composition. If it's mid steel we're all set to rock.