Brum Tank Lining

[charlie weeks]

Hello All

Happy new year to one and all. I am about to get my Brum tank repainted but my painter has expressed doubts about being able to paint the inner of the two white lines which is only 1 mm wide. Were the lines painted at the factory or were they a transfer and if so does anyone know where I can get a set ?

Regards

Charlie

[scott596]

Hi Charlie the lines on my new 64 Brum were approx 4mm for the thicker one and 1.5mm for the thin one all hand painted. Alan Noakes. scottworkshop@hotmail.co.uk

[charlie weeks]

Alan

Thanks for the reply. I have located 1mm plastic tape on Ebay so perhaps my painter just can’t be bothered or doesn’t use tape but freehands them ?

Regards

Charlie

[Geoff Case]

Hi Charlie, Can I recount the tank lining info I took from an original unmolested Brum tank 30 years ago when restoring my bike.. The outer line 1/32 in inner line 1/8 inch. Gap between lines, 1/4 of an inch. On black tanks both lines are white. On maroon tanks the thin outer line is orange , and the wider inner line is gold. The orange and gold to match the “Scott” tank logo. Putting one line on free hand is not too difficult for a signwriter , putting the second line parallel to other is very difficult to do. I did my tank using flexible narrow masking tape . Method Lay lines of tape alongside each other then pull out strips where you want the lines. Paint the gaps, and remove the masking tape. When the paint is well dry, varnish/lacquer, over. Getting it to look right is not as easy as this sounds! You may have to have more than one try before it looks ok.

[Kevin N Bayliss]

Thanks for the info Geoff as I’m in the process of painting a Brum tank. Kev

[charlie weeks]

Geoff

Thanks for that very detailed info. My tank must have been painted the way you described but was plastic masking tape around sixty years ago ? I thought it was much more modern than that.

Charlie

[Stan Thomas]

Think carefully before you use Halfords type pinstriping tape – ‘cos it will look bleedin’ ‘orrible!

Tanks were originally hand-lined without any form of masking – and any decent signwriter will do it – I had mine done for £40 quid (orange and gold as per Geoff’s info above) – and it is perfect.

First tip is to flat the tank withh 600 paper to form a “key” then once lined, it will need laquering, same as the transfers. As the laquer would normally disolve the oil-based lining paint, the secret is to apply a very very light mist coats first, then two or three slightly heavier mist coasts so subsequent coats flash off before affecting the substrate.

Alternatively, you can use a Beugler pinstriping painting tool which produce perfect results with a little practice.

If you tell me where your located, I can advise further.

[Geoff Case]

Hi Charlie, Just had a look at the tracings I made of the tank linings, all those years ago. The info I gave you is not quite correct!! Should be OUTER line 1/8 inch , INNER line 1/32 inch, with a 1/4 inch gap in between, There is also lining on the top of the tank, with the same lay out. The tank Scott transfer should look level when the tank is fitted ON THE BIKE!!

[BRIAN MARSHALL]

For many years I have done my own painting, except for tanks with coachlines and transfers, or ‘decals’ as they are called these days. For over thirty years I have had my tanks done by Andy Mehan, who trades as “The Paint Studio” . Always busy, so no quick turnaround time, but I have always been delighted with the results, with all the lines and transfers under the lacquer coats. His workshop is in Stanton-by-Dale, near Ilkeston, Derbyshire.
Brian

[charlie weeks]

Geoff
I was really puzzled when you gave the thin line as the outer, never seen any lining where the thicker line is on the inside !

Stan
Spoke to my painter on the availability of 1mm tape and obviously the rustle of fivers has produced a change of heart.

As I am going to repaint the mudguards as well, did Brums ever have lines on them from the factory ?

Regards

Charlie

[Stan Thomas]

Hi Charlie,

Birmingham Scotts only had lining on the tanks. There were three “panels” a top one, and one either side – and as Geoff says, the “Scott” transfer was level with the bottom line of the tank. Dependant upon where you are, your welcome to come and see my bike, which is as near to factory original throughout as my lengthy researches can provide.

If you haven’t painted the tank and mudguards yet, you could consider a change of colour from black, as some bikes had “maroon” petrol and oil tanks, with black or maroon guards. The “maroon” colour did vary a little, dependent upon which enamellers were used, but a near modern colour is Ford Apporto Red.

Remember Birmingham Scott colours are not “frame number” sensitive, and a few had white tanks and six were produced with gold tanks when Matt was at the enamellers one day and said (through the Woodine smoke) he’d “try” some that colour – so the legend goes!

Happy days – Now the colour of my Honda tank is part number 18654/ffsod – 987555s HGD 32/H 0921qWC

[Geoff Case]

Hi
Charlie, Brumie Scotts did not have lines on the mudguards, only the tank. I lined the mudguards on my bike, VOC 621, and very nice they looked too! I used a Baluger Striper, with an edge guide, easy to do, not like the double curves on the tank which require more practice to be any good.

[charlie weeks]

I have selected Mini Chilli Red as the colour with white pinstriping. As I am no fan of originality I shall also be changing to 12 volts and converting my front brake to 7 inch twin leading shoe operation. Hopefully the bike will be well lit, brake well and be smart but not gaudy.

Charlie

[BigKev]

Hello Charlie. Here is what is left of the original paint and coach lines on my Brum oil tank. KP
Here are the pictures of my finished tank etc

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3438

[dave bushell]

I acquired my one previous owner 1957 Brum Scott, a Red Squirrel, in the early ’60s. It had the original paintwork. The oil tank had no lining on it, just plain maroon. The tool boxes were plain black with no lining.
Dave

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