Sportster tank: Modify funnel instead of tripple backbone?

Hi Guys,

I'm considering swapping my gas tank with a Sporter tank, but don't want to put it just on top of the tripple backbone. As I don't have such tank at home, I'm wondering if it isn't possible to widen the tank funnel instead of turning the tripple backbone into a single backbone. Because modifying the main frame is strongly prohibited in the country I live.

So anyone ever considered this or even has an exmple thread...?
If it isn't just a matter of hammering the funnel or whatever easy, can I MIG/MAG weld the sheet metal or is TIG required?

 

You could probably chop the tank right down the center and run a strip between the halves to make the channel as wide as needed. Might not be the look you want, but might be. Reshaping the channel without otherwise chopping the tank is also possible, but maybe more complex.

MIG welding in theory is just fine, but in practice is much more likely to leak than a TIG (or torch) weld. If you don't mind tracking down some leaks and grinding out the affected area to re-weld, MIG should be fine.

 

Not familiar with the shape and construction of either tank, but could you get say a badly dented tank that actually goes on your bike and then cut and transplant the bottom onto the sporty tank? That way you know that the bottom will definitely fit and you won't have measure all new sheet metal and fabricate your own tunnel, mounting points etc. The plus is it's something you can work on and keep the original tank on the bike and keep riding until the other tank is built. You wouldn't have to keep taking the tank off and check the fit, do a bit more work and test fit again because you would know that once it was finished you could just drop it right on without any issues.
Just a thought.

 

That would be the best route in my opinion.

 

Alright,I'm gonna consider it. Thanks for your advise!