Sometime last summer I picked up a couple of bargain Matchless/AJS tanks from a vendor in California to experiment with. Both had traces of original paint and chrome, the latter of which was the subject of said experimentation. I had dropped both in wood bleach, which cleared away a considerable amount of rust from the chrome surface however the pitting was too extreme.
I can't seem to find the photos from that specific test, however I will post them when they turn up.
I shelved the one tank for later as it had a poor repair to the bottom. The second one was a much better prospect, having few dents and a lone screw broken off in the thread for one of the badges. I decided that removing it wasn't a big problem and I needed the practice to perform the same operation to a 1966 Triumph tank waiting in the wings.
Unfortunately I was mistaken. While I started off with a small drill bit, I somehow ended up punching a hole right through!
With no welder at the time, it joined the other tank on the shelf.
As the ice storm was hitting hard outside, I needed to feel some sense of achievement inside the garage.
I fired up the old Becca Mig and began to build up some material around the hole. This was then ground down flat. I became ambitious and began to lead fill the tank. This probably would have worked out better in warmer temperatures as you fight the ambient temperature to keep the metal hot enough. I will need to add a bit more lead to finish, but overall I am pleased with the results!
With an all metal tank, this opens up to another planned experiment I am saving for the summer.
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| A true bugger up. |
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| Some build up of material |
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| After some grinding |
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| Some lead filled in |
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| After the smoothing out
Until next time!
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