Mounted an SS overflow on the 1200.

[John Schmidt]

Can't use the ugly OEM plastic unit with the Valk tank mounted, had a hole in it anyway. I just kept it simple, ordered a 2"x 10" polished SS tank off Ebay, $28 with s/h. Holds about 18 oz which is slightly more than OEM. Used a P clamp at the bottom off the engine guard, an SS strap up top, it's solid. Used clear tubing so I can tell how much coolant is in there without removing the cap. I guess it looks OK, definitely functional. Now on to the forks. 

And no....the forks don't come anywhere near it at full lock. 

[FloridaValkRyder]

Pretty trick John and it looks real nice too.   Your putting a bunch of personal touches on this thing...I thought you were going to flip it? 

[Thunderbolt]

John do you remember when the older radiators only had a hose that ran along one side or the other and dumped it on the ground?  Have we all become more environmentally conscious or did radiator cap technology change?

[John Schmidt]

John do you remember when the older radiators only had a hose that ran along one side or the other and dumped it on the ground?  Have we all become more environmentally conscious or did radiator cap technology change?

Probably a bit of both, yes....I remember that. A long time back I read where it's better for the engine to not lose the coolant, but to have it be retrievable as it cools. I guess that's where the overflow idea started. I also recall the tubes from the valve covers just hanging down below the engine instead of recirculating the fumes. An old engine with a lot of blow-by was easy to spot back then, just follow it down the road and watch to see what kind/color of fumes it was blowing out from underneath. That was back when most engines were ready for replace or rebuild at 50k.

[John Schmidt]

You're putting a bunch of personal touches on this thing...I thought you were going to flip it? 

That's all "just in case" stuff.   I knew going in I would never get my investment out of it once I found out the engine problem, so I figured why cut corners now....just in case.  The better it looks and functions, the easier it will be to sell it if I choose that route. And, the better it looks and functions, the more pleased I'll be if I decide to keep it. Overall, I wanted to do something a bit different than any other Standard I'd seen. The rusted out gas tank prompted the use of the Valk tank and fabing up the adaptation with extra brackets. Since I had spare handlebar controls from a Valk, it wasn't any more costly to rebuild them than the old version. And to make them fit I had to get a set of Valk bars back from my friend in Texas. If either my spare Valk swingarm or the Valk rear wheel would have fit, I'd be running Valk gear front and rear with a set of Valk forks. The swingarm adaptation was going to be too involved and costly so I dropped the idea. Probably a good thing I don't live close to Bill, no telling what our minds would have come up with.   

And, it gives me something to do on days when I don't feel good about leaving the house for extended periods.

[Tropic traveler]

Lookin' good John!

Give us an overall pic of how the bike looks now. 

[FloridaValkRyder]

I know I have said it before but the day we went and got the thing I was not sure about it but looking at it now, it's just amazing how far it has come and all the stuff you have made work on it. Whether you sell it or keep it, you have succeeded in it being unique. It would be interesting to see what you and Bill could conjure up on it. Oh wow, maybe that can be the next project! 

[John Schmidt]

It would be interesting to see what you and Bill could conjure up on it. Oh wow, maybe that can be the next project! 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I don't think so, I like my married life just as it is. Besides, the a/c and heat aren't as good in the garage. 

Eddie, here's a side shot taken this afternoon. I spent some time creating a panel to go in front of the carbs and behind the frame downtube, cover the area where you can see the radiator hose. I have the other side cut out, it's a little oversized so will take some trimming but the outer surface is polished SS sheet. Also need to create a piece to cover the area in front of the tank. It originally had a plastic piece in there but no longer fits. I was experimenting with the side panel, have filled some holes with JBQuick, dried overnight and three coats of primer on it when this pic was taken. I want to make the first coat a solid silver gloss to match the tank, then the outer perimeter a gloss black. Wish those side panels weren't so big. If this one turns out OK I'll do the same with the right side. Still need to have to tubing made to kick the muffler out and up a bit. They now hit the frame on the right side and the centerstand arm on the left side hits the left muffler. Probably will do the forks, calipers and front wheel first.

[R J]

Can't use the ugly OEM plastic unit with the Valk tank mounted, had a hole in it anyway. I just kept it simple, ordered a 2"x 10" polished SS tank off Ebay, $28 with s/h. Holds about 18 oz which is slightly more than OEM. Used a P clamp at the bottom off the engine guard, an SS strap up top, it's solid. Used clear tubing so I can tell how much coolant is in there without removing the cap. I guess it looks OK, definitely functional. Now on to the forks. 

And no....the forks don't come anywhere near it at full lock. 

From what I can tell, that looks exactly like the one I had on my 39 Chevy Street Rod.

After the fire, that is the only thing I salvaged off of the car.

[Tropic traveler]

Looking good John!
Sounds like I may need a road trip to check it out in person. 

[John Schmidt]

RJ, this one only holds about 18 oz so probably a little small for your rod. The larger ones look just like it, just longer and larger diameter.

Eddie, come on down, just let me know when. Rita would love some company for a little while. I have your old tank, untouched. The one in the picture cost less off ebay than the cost to fix and paint the one you gave me. What do you want to do with your old one?