Projects Building My First Roadster in San Francisco

Thank you! I snapped a pic of where it sits tonight. The new bracket will bring it to the center.

Glug glug meeep

That is some good intel. I'll most likely do the same with mine, too!

 

I was admiring your horn. It's interesting that you say that. I had actually embarked on the same project for this car, except starting with a slightly different horn.

I was really excited about it, but then I laid it up against the firewall and I realized it didn't quite work from a visual standpoint. I also worry that it's too "radioactive/Fallout shelter" looking, ultimately distracting from the car itself. Things to think about.

 

Great tip. I know some who mount multiple horns—I may do that.

 

Last night’s progress was small but not insignificant. After work, I made my way down to the garage to get the gas tank bolted in. Since it’s been in and out of the car so many times, it slipped right into place. Rubber mounts, grade 8 hardware, and proper strap mounts completed the picture. Once I get my strap insulators, I should be ready to tighten fuel fittings and check that off the list.

 

Although I don't have any interesting photos to show, I was able to make some progress on the machine this weekend. On Saturday, I planned to start my day down in the garage installing the battery cables. Once they were roughly in position, I realized that I needed to see how the exhaust would be routed to ensure clearances were correct. Although my flexpipe-to-gl***pack system is extremely simple, it took the better part of the morning to get the p***enger side in order. Now that it's all set, I'm going to finalize the driver's side and then dis***emble for paint.

 

The highlight of this weekend's work was installing my speedometer cable from Elwood. It went on like ****er, and I especially appreciated the NOS Stewart-Warner end.

 

I'd say my biggest win was installing the fuel line on the tank side, complete with custom bracket, Adel clamps, and era-correct hardware. I'm waiting on my tank insulator straps to come tomorrow so I can take a picture of the complete setup. I also started the fuel pump wiring, which I plan to complete next time I'm in the garage.

 

This morning, I was in a hot rod mood, so I took a walk to Ocean Beach for the SFOB meetup.

Hard to beat this combo.

And yes, I was taking notes.

Big flatty.

Ramp rod x turtle-deck T.

 

It felt great to be at the beach, although it did make me a little bit sad knowing that my car is so far away from making the trip. Let's hope for a different story in 2026.

And speaking of sadness, Yama and I discovered "Ol' Yeller" needs an engine rebuild. It has a terrible rattle from the left hand connecting rod, so it's either the wrist-pin bushing or the big end bearing. Does anyone out there have a Triumph Pre-Unit engine that they would like to sell me? Or maybe you'd like this bike for your collection? I have a hot rod to finish and don't have the bandwidth right now.

Making progress.

 

When I came home from work, I was happy to see my gas tank strap liners waiting for me. Originally I had planned to just cut up an old motorcycle tube, but I figured this would have a cleaner look. For those following along at home, 1958-'64 Chevy liners measure 1.5 inches wide and work on Tanks Inc. straps. They fit great and, best of all, are era-correct for this project.

 

Speaking of era-correctness, I wasn't happy with the look of the unpolished stainless tank straps. So, for my last project of the night, I took them—and all my exhaust clamps, hangers, and miscellaneous Adel clamps—up to the fire escape for some paintwork. As I write this, they're drying. I'll hit them with a second coat in the morning.

Apologies for being so light on the photos these days. I feel like many of the steps aren't too photogenic until everything is wrapped up. I'm hoping to have the fuel tank, fuel line, and fuel pump completed by end-of-day tomorrow. We'll see!

 

Writing this from the wonderful San Francisco airport as I wait for the gate agent to call my zone.

Today, I was able to leave this project for Thanksgiving on a high note. After painting my tank straps last night, I handled my final modifications al fresco.
It took a little bit of jockeying (and going up and down four flights of stairs no less than four times), but it was all worth it when I cranked the final piece of grade 8 hardware in place.

Here we have it. Tanks, Inc. tank with stainless straps and the Tanks-provided hardware mounted on a steel plate subfloor. The subfloor is secured to the frame rails with four 1/2-inch grade 8 bolts. Rubber insulation is used throughout. I’m able to push on the tank and move the whole car without it budging.

Like so many other things on this car, it took a lot of work to make something that looks unbelievably simple. When I get back, I’ll set up the vent line and finalize all rubber fuel hose.