2008 DA kit

[Biro]

Hi all,

This my first post.
Just got my DA kit 2 weeks ago here in the Caribbean it is in these 2 weeks I’ve discovered club chopper while searching Google. Wished I found this website before as there is a lot of valuable information for a novice like me without any experience.

In these 2 weeks I did nothing to the bike just checking the various parts that came with the kit and did a lot of reading while waiting for the DVD’s to arrive via airmail.

Finally the DVD’s arrived this past Monday and I’m ready to start building.
Somehow the DVD’s did not come with the kit I don’t know if it supposed to be this way or not but anyway after a little bit over 5 months waiting 2 weeks waiting is peanuts.
Overall up to now I’m happy only one backorder (bullet blinkers) and hopefully as I go along there will be no parts missing.
A parts checklist with the kit would have been helpful for an inexperienced guy like me.

Now to my first question because of the rust on the frame tanks and fenders I decided to send them for rust treatment and for priming before I do the mock up.
I know it’s too late now but any helpful advice will be appreciated.

The fuel tank has to be sealed inside. How about the inside of the oil tank, any special treatment for this one?

Here is a picture of the rear and front wheels as you can see the rear wheel has some minor scratches and looks like there was a tire on there. I’ve send a complained to the dealer and we’ll see what happens in the mean time any suggestion on how to correctly polish these?

Please refer me to any link that you guys gals think is a must read for a novice.
Thanks in advance to all.

[Ace of Spades]

I think Big Bear is against lining your tank. I've read stories where that stuff starts peeling up and clogging the fuel lines and carb. Big Bear pressure tests their tanks so it shouldn't have any leaks.

[Biro]

There some rust spots in the fuel tank that’s the reason I thought of sealing it to prevent further rusting I’ll wait for more feed backs and eventually call BBC for advice.
There no info on this on the DVD.
According to a friend the oil tank can be left as is because the oil will protect it from further rusting.

[Scottm]

Hi Biro,
Good luck with the build.
You will find the guys here will help greatly.

Any of you notice the gusset on Biro's frame?
That was not on the earlier frames.

[Razorback]

Originally Posted by Biro

There some rust spots in the fuel tank that’s the reason I thought of sealing it to prevent further rusting I’ll wait for more feed backs and eventually call BBC for advice.
There no info on this on the DVD.
According to a friend the oil tank can be left as is because the oil will protect it from further rusting.

Get you a bottle of Ospho you can treat all your tins with it and slosh some around in your fuel tank. It will kill all rust, I have a frame sitting out in my barn thats over a year sitting and has no rust. Ospho is good stuff.

[CENJIM]

Originally Posted by Scottm

Hi Biro,
Good luck with the build.
You will find the guys here will help greatly.

Any of you notice the gusset on Biro's frame?
That was not on the earlier frames.

I expected that gusset would be appearing on all their frames going forward.
Now we know.

[CENJIM]

As Ace said, they don't recommend sealing the tanks.
Generally once you keep the tank filled with gasoline, surface rusting should not be a problem.

[Lightnin'Larry]

Hey CINJIM,

Yep, I expected as much myself and as you said "now we know". Who wants to bet that all or most of the new frames coming out of BBC on all models have gussets now? Think that BBC may have underestimated the stresses on the neck???
Say have you desided what to do with your Venom regarding the recall? Have you found a dealer that will do it?

Take care,
Larry

Originally Posted by CENJIM

I expected that gusset would be appearing on all their frames going forward.
Now we know.

[golfish]

Hey Larry, when can I have your engine? you said I could have it Come on man, your not using it..You said

[Phantom]

wow!! that is some rusty metal. A rust treatment would be in order I would think. I like soda blasting personally but you cannot do inside the tanks. I would re-pressure check the tank and if all is well, then no worries. I usually seal my gas tanks.

[CENJIM]

Originally Posted by Phantom

wow!! that is some rusty metal. A rust treatment would be in order I would think. I like soda blasting personally but you cannot do inside the tanks. I would re-pressure check the tank and if all is well, then no worries. I usually seal my gas tanks.

Warm salt air. Does it every time.

[Biro]

Originally Posted by Razorback

Get you a bottle of Ospho you can treat all your tins with it and slosh some around in your fuel tank.

Can I use Ospho safely for the inside of fuel and oil tank?

Originally Posted by CENJIM

Generally once you keep the tank filled with gasoline, surface rusting should not be a problem.

I can assume that leaving the inside of the fuel and oil thank without treatment will not give problems.

Originally Posted by Phantom

I usually seal my gas tanks.

The tanks you sealed was how long ago and what brand of seal did you use?
I'm leaning towards using Ospho on the inside any suggestions?

Originally Posted by CENJIM

I expected that gusset would be appearing on all their frames going forward.
Now we know.

Very stupid from my part for not doing any research before buying I just saw the kit a few years back and didn't buy it back then because of travelling too much otherwise I would have been in the same boat as many. It is only now that I got the kit I discovered club chopper and got to now about the frame issue.

[Ace of Spades]

It's hard to tell the damage on the wheel through a picture on the internet. You might be able to polish it out by hand using something like Mothers Wheel or Aluminum polish. If that doesn't work you could try a professional, see if Big Bear would credit you back the coin to have someone polish it?

[CENJIM]

Originally Posted by Biro

Very stupid from my part for not doing any research before buying I just saw the kit a few years back and didn't buy it back then because of travelling too much otherwise I would have been in the same boat as many. It is only now that I got the kit I discovered club chopper and got to now about the frame issue.

You should not have any problems with your frame. All that surface rust is caused by your environment--ocean air, humidity, and warm temps.
Makes for orange stained skin with all the handling it will get.

No matter how it looks now, the painter will know how to prep the metal before primer, etc.

[CENJIM]

are your wheels polished or chrome?