Jay Roche from Special79 is no stranger around these parts. His fab skills are legendary among garage builders around the globe. In an era where mentors are hard to come by and metal-working isn't as common as it used to be, it's a bonus that Jay takes the time to make some tidy, short and sweet how-to videos for the aspiring home builder.
For this ChopCult Six Pack we've assembled a half-dozen of Jay's best instructional clips, along with a few extra comments from the man himself. School is in session.
1. In this step it's pretty important to take your time and cut the bottom out as close to the bottom pinch weld as possible, especially if you're looking to keep it close to stock height. The center split and shell narrowing cuts should also be precise, it'll make tacking/welding the new halves together a ton easier
2. These steps are pretty self-explanatory. Just remember that welding thinner threaded gas cap bungs with too much heat can screw with the threads or even throw the bung out of round
3. If you don't have time or resources to build a tunnel bender, you can get a piece of pipe a bit bigger than your frame backbone, weld some pieces of angle iron to each end, clamp on top of the sheet metal for the tunnel, and hand bend it
4. Hammer forming the tank bottom adds strength to the bottom as well as making welding cleaner and easier. If you prefer, you can always make the tank with a flat bottom
5. You can buy extended "Frisco style" petcock bungs if you want to save yourself some fab time
6. This is mostly a cosmetic detail, but it will make it easier to weld for MIG and inexperienced TIG welders. Make sure the bottom tunnel seam if tacked well before attempting
Jay is constantly building tanks, bars, hard tails, and cool, artsy lamps and furniture. Complete bike builds for customers isn't out of the question either. Hit him up if you are looking for some handmade goodness.
I hate him. I hate his shop, I hate his tools, and I hate how easy he makes it look. To put it bluntly, I'm jealous..... Nice work bro. Thanks for the tips!
have been following Jay's site for awhile and check it daily. Love his style and craftsmanship. His step by step on the take split has helped me tons of frustations on my build.
Thank You for the extra time and energy it takes to share this with us Jay.
I am lucky enough to own a tank that jay has made. The craftsmanship is phenomenal. He has been nice enough to answer any technical email question i have sent. He is a great guy. When i get off my ass and finish my bike i would love to ride up there and say thanks in person. please keep the vids coming.
REMEMBER TO HONE YOUR SKILLS EVERY CHANCE GIVEN TO YOU.SO WHAT IF YOU SCREW UP A PIECE OR TWO.AFTER AWHILE I JUST BECOMES SECOND NATURE TO DO FAB WORK.WELL,HOPEFULLY.THIS IS JUST THE KIND OF INFO THAT MAKES THIS SUCH A GREAT WEB SITE!
jay veryyy nice clips! you know i feel stupid, never thought to hold the filler cap close out disk in with a little magnet pen haha! i always just kinda hold it at an angle get a tack on it then bend it into location. you are a smart man. oh and the laser sight up the tank....... fuckin smart! thats always the biggest pain in the asss to me.
matt @ dice told me about jay awhile back, so i had him narrow a tank for me. he nailed it & on time... his prices are fair & he's easy to communicate with. keep up the good work jay !
TimB1640
TimB1640
deadbird
ed
Thank You for the extra time and energy it takes to share this with us Jay.
KrOwN
A+ guy
steffan
OneGoldTooth
AngryCracker
toolmantom
DugasM
elTee
Jethro
damned
Osprey
dalebfast
Tyler
mikeyfrombc
mikey
Fredo
jms
SportsterBob
great skills!
Please whisper in ChopCult... NOBODY LIKES A SCREAMER (unless she's on all fours)
Thanks!
pangeaspeed
Loewe
10ninjas
Nice vids. Cheers
gilbygtr
philbey
OneWayKris
Theron
specialseventynine
TuckerSpeed