Fabrication

The fabrication section covers the hardware for building and mounting parts yourself. It holds weld-on bungs, hose barbs, welding necks and filler necks, steel gussets, P-clips and hose clamps. Fuel-resistant O-rings, lockwire, and tapes and hook-and-loop strips for heat, sealing, grip and quick mounting complete it.

Most parts are listed by size and material:

• Weld-on fittings come as NPT bungs (1/8, 1/4 and 3/8 inch), hose barbs from 9.5 to 15.8 mm and welding necks, mostly in aluminium. Weld aluminium to aluminium and steel to steel.
• P-clips are listed by the diameter of the line or hose they hold, from 6.4 to 19.1 mm, in aluminium or with a rubber cushion that protects the line.
• Gussets are steel, curved at 30 degrees or closed at 45 or 60 degrees, to strengthen welded joints.
• Tapes are listed by width, length and colour, for example 25 mm silicone tape or 50 mm tank tape.

Plan the job before you weld. A fuel tank or line must be emptied and purged of vapour first, and painted or oily metal cleaned back to bare metal. Clip fuel, oil and brake lines often and keep them away from heat and moving parts, so they cannot chafe or crack. Lockwire stops bolts from working loose: twist it so that it pulls each bolt in its tightening direction.