When we last left Big Mike during the great "Chop It" project, he and his trusty fabricator Vac had just designed a cool set of Z handlebars. Well, in this third segment of the series, they are installing the bars and moving on to gas tanks.

First, Big Mike and Clay install a set of old-school style risers for the bars. After that step was completed, Big Mike sent Mikey out to pick up the bars at the shop where they have been powder coated in black. After Mikey returns, they unveil and install the bars with a slight forward tilt for that old-school look!

Next, it's time to choose a gas tank. Big Mike decides on a classic style "peanut" tank. However, some fabrication is going to be required. Big Mike then heads over to see master fabricator Rick "Vac" Vecqueray for some more custom metal work. As Big Mike sketches some changes, Vac realizes that he will have to cut two "L-shaped" holes in the tank so that it will fit onto the frame. He will then have to cut two small metal pieces to fit the holes, weld them in place, and finally grind them smooth. After that, he will have to cut a crescent-shaped hole out of the trailing edge of the tank where it will fit against the seat. Once again, Vac will need to cut a piece of metal to fit the hole and then weld and finish it. While this doesn't look too difficult (because Vac makes it look simple), each weld has to be perfect or you will wind up with a tank with an incontinence problem.

Finally the tank is finished, and everything fits just as planned. Big Mike and the gang are getting closer to finishing. In our next session, they'll be taking on fenders. Then it's off to paint! Stay tuned!

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