Projects Aluminium Riley roadster build

David...I have a thick piece of Inner Tube I use on the top wheel when I wheel those long radius bends. Do you do the same, or do you have a `Go Kart Slick` as a replacement top wheel? I have never used that method, but hear it works a treat...

 

Thanks Tom, perhaps it is a curse.

I don't have either to be honest, I just brake the back of the metal with the wheel and pull it to shape. I have seen people use those things though.

David

 

Is the color on that last tank pic caused by the tinning, or shrinking to fix warpage from forming the ribs?

 

Looking amazing, David!

 

Thanks for the question, in order to tin the steel I first had to clean the metal and a mild acid is used, I used bakers fluid, the panel is heated to make it hot enough to melt the solder which is them wiped across the panel. I tried not to make the panel too hot because as you say it could distort. In some places it got hotter than others and the panel was blued but fortunately it did not distort. my biggest worry when doing this was that it might distort.

David

 

Thank you! I must admit I was pleased with it but I made no money out of it, by the time I had worked it all out, made patterns and tooling then put bloody thing together it was several week work. I now have patterns and know how to make them so I can produce one should anyone want one in the future. I have done several SS100s over the years so I guess I will do more.

David

 

Here are all the sheet metal parts that make up the tank...






I also had to make up other pieces such as the brackets that bolt the tank to the chassis...



And various pieces like the flange for mounding the filler neck threaded flange (if that makes sense)


Several other pieces were made for me by a local engineer like the threaded bungs for the drain plugs.


David

 

When it was all put together it looks like this, just the sides to put on at this stage but first I had to check it to make sure it did not leak. I only found one small leak which I was over happy about.



That sorted I soldered the sides on to complete the tank.




David

 

Nice work David. Thanks for continuing with the updates.

 

Thanks, it was a lot of work but I was pleased with it and now I have the patterns and know how to make more if anyone ever wants one.

David

 

I've always had a tank of this style in mind for the '31 project. It's good to see how it's done.

What is the radius, by the way? 2"? 2½"? I'd like to be able to draw the tank, if I ever find time to get back to that project.

 

Dawie, I didn't measure the radius I just copied it bit I would say it is about two and a half inches.

David

 

Thought I would post a couple more photos of the finished tank...





David

 

I love seeing the how its made, nice job and thanks for showing us.
Can't wait to see more.

 

Thanks for replying. More soon.

David

 

Holy dog do-do, I stumbled upon a thread of yours and just spent the whole morning going thru that and all the others!

Crap, I'd come over there and work/watch and learn for free labor if I could.

Awesome stuff!!!

 

Thank you. You only just found my threads?

David

 

Building a new body for my decrepit Steib, (not HAMB appropriate though) and want to thank you for sharing your hard earned expertise.

 

Fantastic!

It makes me wonder if you went into medicine what illness you could have retired?

Thanks for sharing.

 

thank you very much for taking your time to post all this pics with the informations!!
very impressive...

 

Nice work! I am glad you decided to post here. Thanks

 

I had not looked at this thread for a while because both my computers packed up within a week of each other so I had not seen all these comments. Thanks to you all for the nice comments and for taking the time to make them.

David

 

Hey David, any progress on your roadster?

Thanks,

--louis

 

Louis, I am back working on it now so some new stuff to post soon.

David

 

wow. truly amazing work. I had seen posts on the riley on metalmeet, but not any of the other stuff.

I know I will never attain your level of skill but it is good to have something to aim for.
would you recommend starting on steel then moving to aluminium or just jumping in boots and all?
starting with fabricating repair panels or totally new (small) things?

thanks again for the post, the info and the inspiration.

 

subscribed

 

Working in aluminium is easier in some ways than steel, you have to master gas welding the stuff first though.

Make small parts first and practice practice practice. The larger the part the harder it is to make - more shaping more welding more finishing.

David

Thanks! I will try to post some more photo's tomorrow. I have done some more work on my T so will post in that thread too.


David

 

Happy New Year!

I have had so much to do and so little time lately that It has been a long time since I updated this thread. I am working on my T today but have stoped for lunch so here are a few photos of the work done on this SS100...

One more shot of some of the details of the petrol tank...



Once all the parts were made it was time to bolt it all together. Because I had made accurate bucks and coppied the original SS100 wings I had every hope that it would all fit well, even so I was pleased when it went together with very little fetling.








These photos show the underside of the wings where they meet the body petrol tank and chassis.

David

 

...and a phot of it as I pushed it outside for the first time to take a look at it.



David

 

Spot on perfect! What a fine project you have going.
I raced for 19 years in historic racing and for 1 season ran a Riley TT Sprite , well balanced cars in looks and performance

Look forward to seeing the conclusion of your build
John