The Yamaha Road Star Warrior Forum

I agree with Old Man, the done bike is more pronounced and longer point....my 2 cents

How can we fix the issue? Can you remove the welded sheet without damaging the tank? When I sent the tank to Florida, I noticed how thin is the actual wall. I'm really concerned that removing the sheet will just do unrepairable damage. On the other hand, applying a new sheet on top of the current one will thicken the metal layer. Unless you cut the end tip and weld a properly stretched one? I need your advice, because I plan to call BMS and suggest them what you advice here. It does not hurt to have them informed, especially that there are many experienced welders and metal guys among us.

I think the bad angle sheet starts where the original tank wall ends.

Mightysatchmo:

I agree with Old Man, the done bike is more pronounced and longer point....my 2 cents

+1 

My 2 cents. ( you now have 4 cents )   

I dont think your tank looks bad at all , but if you ask for (A) and get (B)  then it looks bad. They can most likely grind the welds down and start over without messing with integrity of your tank.  But nows the time to speak up and have it corrected. Next time they send you an image/ picture of the tank tell them get the clutter out of the picture...will help visually see the product better.

BMS sent me this picture as example for me to see what they did to a customer bike to stretch the tank in a pointed shape. I told them that I'm interested to get the exact tank design like in the picture. They confirmed all details and sent me a price estimate. I paid upfront and shipped my tank to their shop. Today, I got an email from them showing me what was done to the tank. The tank is still in their shop, I'm just informing you guys what was discussed and done so far.

When I emailed the pictures, I stated that the the tank is not properly stretched and the metal sheet is too short, creating an angle with the rest of the tank body (based on your opinions). Jared was very nice and courteous on the phone, he said he will look at my pictures (that I also posted here) and let me know what is going on.

it looks to me that the painted tank has had alot more work done to it and probably was a real stretch and not a cosmetic stretch,the tank itself narrows like the tank was opened and narrowed and then stretched also and the bms tank has a rolled flow on the bottom and the shell also looks english wheeled to flow the contour down the entire shell of the tank, just what i see in the pics but i feel i see the most important part and that is the tanks a very different from each other .have it all cut off no the welds ground down because if they grind the welds and the wheel falls off either side ,that will thin the area around the work and create bigger problems for the welding that will be done. tell them to tig weld it and you will for sure end up with a nicer job and more sound welds ,when tig welded the welds dont need ground down and a basic coarse scotch brite wheel will clean and ready the welded area for dura glass . but have the tank tested with a few lbs of pressure for leaks first, that will save a lot of wasted work, then to be safe if you want coat the tank with a product called REDCOAT nothing else (REDCOAT) period . just for a good piece of mind on leaks ,good luck ,cya btk572

They may just be able to weld some more material to the end of the tank and smooth it out which will in turn stretch it to the point you want if your worried about damage from weld removal. Let us know how you make out, love the tank on the bike in pic...very sharp

btk572:

it looks to me that the painted tank has had alot more work done to it and probably was a real stretch and not a cosmetic stretch,the tank itself narrows like the tank was opened and narrowed and then stretched also and the bms tank has a rolled flow on the bottom and the shell also looks english wheeled to flow the contour down the entire shell of the tank, just what i see in the pics but i feel i see the most important part and that is the tanks a very different from each other .have it all cut off no the welds ground down because if they grind the welds and the wheel falls off either side ,that will thin the area around the work and create bigger problems for the welding that will be done. tell them to tig weld it and you will for sure end up with a nicer job and more sound welds ,when tig welded the welds dont need ground down and a basic coarse scotch brite wheel will clean and ready the welded area for dura glass . but have the tank tested with a few lbs of pressure for leaks first, that will save a lot of wasted work, then to be safe if you want coat the tank with a product called REDCOAT nothing else (REDCOAT) period . just for a good piece of mind on leaks ,good luck ,cya btk572

Thanks for the advice, they said they plan to coat and pressure test the tank, once done. I just want to confirm that BMS send me the original tank picture in email as an example how they can stretch the tank. They said this is a tank that had a cover, it was not cut or modified. When I placed the order, I asked for the exact same tank stretch. I will contact them again and let them know what you posted.

I am with BTK572. It looks like the tank in the first photo was squeezed on each side and maybe from the bottom before it was streched lengthwise. Its hard to tell from one photo. If the lines of the stock tank are followed, the point might end up way too long. Be careful you dont end up sitting on the pointed end of the tank if you strech it further.

I see. My goal is to get the same tank as displayed in the original picture. That's the reason why I hired BMS to modify my tank. I really hope things will not get complicated. Knowing how lucky I am, it will. Honestly, I don't mind spending few extra dollars, just to get the job done perfect. I will see what Jared says about the modified tank and let you guys know. I really appreciate your help on this issue.

Hi Loren, I feel you're in a bit of a panic there.

TECK:

My concern is that the weld is already performed on the paper thin aluminium tank.

If it's your original Warrior tank, it won't be aluminium. 

If you look at the photos I took, the shape you are looking for won't work that easy just like btk572 suggests...

btk572:

it looks to me that the painted tank has had alot more work done to it and probably was a real stretch and not a cosmetic stretch

to keep the shape going even all the way it will end up a very long tank.

you can see the original tank shape through the white outline Loren.

as for sealing the inside, I would not go there...IMO...  There is no room to see if ALL the surfaces inside the tank will be covered.... If you miss an area, the whole lot will peel in stages and clog the filters for months, even years after. Then it's cut the base off the tank and blast the gunge out. ....Ive seen it happen a few times on tanks I've had to paint.

Gav.

TECK:

btk572:

Have the tank tested with a few lbs of pressure for leaks first, that will save a lot of wasted work, then to be safe if you want coat the tank with a product called REDCOAT nothing else (REDCOAT) period . just for a good piece of mind on leaks 

Thanks for the advice, they said they plan to coat and pressure test the tank, once done. I just want to confirm that BMS send me the original tank picture in email as an example how they can stretch the tank. They said this is a tank that had a cover, it was not cut or modified. When I placed the order, I asked for the exact same tank stretch. I will contact them again and let them know what you posted.

They're probably telling the truth, but the cap had to be more extensive to get those lines. Or another possiblity is there was some fiberglass work done before paint to achieve the look (Very common). Given that your tank is done, I would opt to go the fiberglass route or start from scratch. The last thing you want to do is to cut and reweld your tank. Nothing good will come from it. I'm actually suprised you went back with bms, since your track record with them has not been good.

Second bit of advise, don't recoat the tank, even with "redcoat". All the tank sealers eventually break down and get clogged in the fuel system. Good for a show bike or if you plan on getting rid of the bike in a few years, but if you plan on keeping it for years, I wouldn't recommend it. If the tank was purged with argon during welding, a good pure weld would have been achieved and you shouldn't have to worry about leaks.

Good luck.  

I believe they are the exact same. I think it is a visual effect from the combination of paint, body work, and seat  on the Tribal Tusion bike.

If you follow the exact lines of the warrior tank straight back till they intersect at a point like you are wanting you wouldn't have a seat. You would be sitting on the tank. If BMS would have done more work to the other tank why wouldn't they tell you? They could make more money. Don't sweat it. It is going to look great. You are going to end up pissing them off with the nit picking. Just my 2 cents.

Thanks Gav. So what do you think it was done to the tank you see in the original picture? Was it just cosmetically enhanced, or it was actually cut and worked to fit the new stretched look?

EDIT: Thanks Eric and Brandon for the input, you are way too fast for me.
I got a complete set of pictures, with the stretched tank:





Let me know what you think... Personally, I believe Eric and Brandon are right. Probably BMS worked a little fiber glass on the sides to make it fit better. Now that you have pictures from all angles, it is easier to see what was done. Here are the pictures of my currently modified tank:




I circled the areas where I think the tank is sticking out to much... Probably with a little shaving done to the metal in that area it will look very elegant. As I said, I'm no expert, but I trust your opinion guys. Thanks.

Teck, I truly believe it is the same as yours. The painter will put a thin coat of mud on it to smooth out the lines and when you get it on the bike with the custom seat butted up to it it will look just like the one pictured.  I think the tribal graphics on the bike just camoflage it and makes the point look smoother. I have seen other Warrior tanks stretched by BMS and they all look just like this.