[mid October 2007]
I have the gas tank to where I think it doesn't leak anymore--but I have yet to actually put fuel in it. I had to braze over both sides of the channel running the entire length of the top, and then there were 26 other holes as well (a couple holes took more than one try, but I'm still only counting them once).
I've since heard of better ways to make a tank using torch welding. One method I think I'll attempt next time is to use fairly thick metal for the sides of the tank, then use steel strips about half that thick along all the edges and aluminum pop rivets to pop-rivet the tank together. Then all the edges must be brazed completely, and the pop rivets must be ground out and those holes brazed shut as well. The reason I am told this works better is that the steel is difficult to weld without blowing through it, but if you have the edges backed up enough to braze, then the braze can be completely melted without risking burning the steel.
Also in evidence here is the beginnings of a rear rack; I decided I wanted some easy way to carry some cargo on board.
The kickstand holder (at the rear of the frame) I couldn't get to work right when it was pointing down. You couldn't "kick" the stand up and get it to latch, and then if the bike's rear tire was dropped onto the ground from just a couple inches in the air, the kickstand would unlatch. There's a couple reasons for this, but I tried it upside down and it worked quite nicely, so I'll just live with it that way for now.
I have to store this bike inside my mobile home, as it's too long to fit in the shed (which has to hold a bunch of other things).That involves carrying it up and down a flight of about 5 stairs. I noticed it was getting rather heavy so I decided to weigh it, and it weighs 90 lbs as of these photos. The only things left to finish is the front and rear lights, get the second muffler put on, a few more bars on the rack and then a toolbox/belt idler cover (opposite the engine) and possibly some kind of a chain guard.