How to undo horn button from tank?

[Jupiler11]

I started my project with getting the tank of. Unftunately there was just nothing inside the tank. Because i have to paint the tank in the future i think it might be easy if i could remove the button. But without breaking anything i have no clue. Anybody?

Inside tank

Outside tank

 

[Toeslider]

It's riveted in, you would have to drill through the center of the rivets to remove them, then replace them with new ones.

 

[Jupiler11]

Ok, thanks. That's the way. Can i replace it with very tiny bolts or screws?

I've never done something like this and i think i own the only roadmaster in the Netherlands so there's nobody else to ask. I really like this forum

 

[Walker]

those are hollow rivets, probably can get them at a hardware store. takes a special pair of pliers or clamp to bend them. You could also do slotted screws though..

 

[Jupiler11]

Yep, i've translated riveted and in dutch it's called popnagels. Which means popping needles, i think i can borrow them from a friend when i need them.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Can i replace it with very tiny bolts or screws?

Small machine screws would work just fine. I would use slotted pan head screws for a more period accurate match. Phillips head screws where not used until much later.

 

[The Black Monark]

To keep the same appearance you could grind/file the heads of some screws down, or use some threaded fender rivets that are the (nearly) the same size.
btw: some Elgin bikes used Phillips head screws, although sparingly, in the 1930s/1940s

 

[jerrykr]

you could drill the crimped part of the rivit off from the inside, then punch the rivit out.

easiest way to re-attach would be with pop rivits, if you don't mind the modern look.

 

[Jupiler11]

I drilled them out , putting it back will not be very soon.
Thanks for the answers people!