Making a tank cover while in lockdown

[husoi]

As we still can't go anywhere I decided to make a tank cover.

I know, I can get it cheaper on Ebay, but what's the fun in it?

I would spend less money and time but having nothing better to do...

I started a couple weeks ago when I ordered the leather hide.

A great shop with one of the best customer service.

I don't think anyone is crazy enough to try this so I won't be posting the website

These are the steps:

1 - Order the leather, the guy didn't had red so I went for black, got black thread and 2 free needles at same time

2 - Order the 2 tonnes of tools needed to work with leather

3 - Order the beewax, apparently you need it to burnish the leather.

4 - Start making the templates for the cover, I'm using a design similar to Bagster, a central piece from the handlebar down to the bottom.

fuel opening with 3 layers of leather, then 1 section on the upper side, a small middle section and a lower section with a cushion for the legs.

5 - After cutting the templates in paper, cut the leather

6 - Water moulding the cushion bits to accommodate the foam, I'm using some foam from an old sofa.

6 - I'll be using some red polyester ribbon I have lying around and will need to buy some locks to fix the cover at the front and at the back.

7 - Considering adding the Honda wings in silver ABS, can get them off Ebay for around £10.

Because this is an ongoing project I'll be updating the information as I progress.

I'm using yellow insulating tape for the marking of the tank, this is a very flexible tape, easy to peel and you can write on it.

Also using paper masking tape for the marking and duct tape for proofing the templates, this is stronger and holds better the paper

Tape marking

Tape marking

 

Paper template for the different sections

Making the paper template

Top side paper template

 

Proofing the templates.

You know the saying, measure twice and cut once.

In this case, measure 10 times, then measure again so you don't end up stitching bits or getting more leather because you f**ked up

All templates are marked to make sure I know where they go

Proofing the paper templates

 

This is the leather I'm using, a 1.5mm thick flexible and strong.

Because I had no idea what to use I followed the advise from the shop owner.

Leather hide

 

Cut leather parts, I've taped all sections, even the obvious central part, because they are all symmetric they are marked as left and right for each side.

Masking tape on back of leather cuts

 

The foam used for the cushions, I've used a wood saw for the larger cuts and the japanese chisel for the leather.

I only saw 1 other blade as sharp as this and is also Japanese

Cutting cushion foam

finished foam cushion

 

The wet molding, some experts say you should do it by hand and spend an eternity molding it while others say that you can used this kind of molding. Life is too short...

Wet moulding

 

Leather tools, the Japanese chisel on the right.

The wet moulding was done yesterday (Sun) and it will take 24hrs to set.

Once the beewax arrives (Royal mail takes even longer to delivery than usually...) Will start the fine cutting and burnishing.

For those wondering what burnishing is.

Burnishing is the finishing on the edge of the leather, it will need to cut the sharp edge and then rubbing the beewax and use one of the tools to round it. Youtube is full of videos if you want to have a look.

Leather tools

[dynax]

Nice one, leather working is great fun but time consuming

[husoi]

That isn't an issue with a lock down

[Ian Frog]

What a great project.

looking good so far [mention]husoi[/mention] keep us posted of progress.

Cheers

Ian

[husoi]

Thanks [mention]Ian Frog[/mention]

Will do. Forgot to mention that you can see the finished fairings This was on another post

[Stu]

Thats brilliant

Where do I send measurements to

[husoi]

Thats brilliant

Where do I send measurements to

 

You better wait and see how it goes..

Alternative you can come up and do one yourself I'll let you borrow the tools

Free tea and coffee available

[skyrider]

i still have two bagalux tank covers for sale a black and a blue one they have cbr on both but i dont know what model they will fit

[fullscreenaging]

I’ve just bought a Bagster tank cover from a user on another forum for my Versys. It doesn’t even look like it has been used. I got it for a steal at £50.

I’ve been after one for a while as I picked up a couple of stone chips within a month of owning the bike and I had it respayed last year.

Enjoy your project!

[raesewell]

Keep the pictures coming

[husoi]

Cushion sides.

Just got them out of the mould.

Next steps are to cut the extra bits around, make the edges and burnish.

The problem now is that RM is still to deliver the beewax. Would have been quicker if I had walk there.

[husoi]

Speak of the devil...

Just through the letter box.

 

I wonder what the 48 means... maybe the number of people handling it.

.

[Ian Frog]

hour service lol.

I feel your pain I am still trying to track down my package that Hermes cant decide if they have lost or stolen !

Cheers

Ian

[Ian Frog]

48 hour lol

[husoi]

Update on this.

Juggling between 3 projects this will take a wee bit longer

For the last 2 days I've done more accurate cutting of the different parts.

Opted for a one side first approach so any small tweaks will be done on opposite side, with a bit of luck the top central part will stay in the middle

Whoever said that leather working is an easy and enjoyable hobby must be on heavy relaxing pills...

The damn needles are always on the lookout for your fingers and have no problem in preparing you for some blood tests.

But don't be fooled, if they miss a finger the palm of your hand or any other part will do. These things have Piranha ADN...

Then the thread, nylon is the choice for waterproof capabilities. A tutorial on YouTube says that when making saddle stitching (the one I'm doing) you will need around 3 to 4 times the length to be stitched. What they don't tell you is that not only the thread will tangle as soon as you blink but it will come off the needles every 3 minutes. Even when you lock the thread as shown in those clips.

Another video shows a tool to hold the leather in place while your hands are free to do the work. Absolute rubbish!!! That works on thick hard leather but doesn't work on the more softer one I'm using, so that was a good waste of 2 hours work...

Remember telling about burnishing? Well, forget about it. the leather is too thin for that and the exercise is pointless

But back to the work in hand

As I said, made the cuts for the right hand side of the cover and started putting them together.

 

Then the stitching.

It takes forever to make one never mind the entire line. Now I get why they invented electric sewing machines

 

Will update further as works goes on.

[Guest Swagman]

Got sore fingers now then.

[husoi]

Got sore fingers now then.

 

Sore with red dots.

[Guest Swagman]

At least it’s only your fingers that have the red dots

[husoi]

Poor finger...

You know the saying "A lightning doesn't strike twice on the same place."?

Well, That doesn't apply to piranha needle. damn things can hit the exact same spot 4 or 5 times.

 

[TimR]

Decent version of this makes life a bit easier

https://www.wish.com/gb/product/leather-sail-canvas-heavy-repair-professional-speedy-stitcher-sewing-awl-tool-stitcher-repair-tool-kit-5b168030f94f8f1aa7e96919

[Stu]

Decent version of this makes life a bit easier

https://www.wish.com/gb/product/leather-sail-canvas-heavy-repair-professional-speedy-stitcher-sewing-awl-tool-stitcher-repair-tool-kit-5b168030f94f8f1aa7e96919

 

New forum rule

Anyone posting anything on wish is going to get banned

They sell some shite products

[TimR]

Decent version of this makes life a bit easier

https://www.wish.com/gb/product/leather-sail-canvas-heavy-repair-professional-speedy-stitcher-sewing-awl-tool-stitcher-repair-tool-kit-5b168030f94f8f1aa7e96919

 

G

New forum rule

Anyone posting anything on wish is going to get banned

They sell some shite products

 

Hence why saying a decent version of this ..

Did not have time to trawl through to find a reputable site .

I have the item my Grandfather used frequently somewhere over 60 years ago that is basically identical to this in design but of better quality ....

Google leather sewing Awl

Or Vintage leather sewing awl may bring up some better quality items on eBay

https://www.foxschandlery.com/speedy-stitcher-sewing-awl-1501 is a new but made to look old but at least from a chandlery

[Guest Swagman]

Poor finger...

You know the saying "A lightning doesn't strike twice on the same place."?

Well, That doesn't apply to piranha needle. damn things can hit the exact same spot 4 or 5 times.

IMG_20200512_181041.jpg

 

Ouch.

[husoi]

Poor finger...

You know the saying "A lightning doesn't strike twice on the same place."?

Well, That doesn't apply to piranha needle. damn things can hit the exact same spot 4 or 5 times.

IMG_20200512_181041.jpg

 

Ouch.

 

Putting it in a soft way yes

Me was more like

FF^*&£^& SH%$&$£^%^*&£%* MOTH£%$£^£%&£&£%

[skyrider]

it stung a bit then