73 Roadster fuel tank question

Snakepit · May 26, 2012

Should the shape of the tank have a peaked center section on the top of the tank? (from front to rear)

DogT · May 26, 2012

Eh?

Dave
69S

nortonista · May 26, 2012

My 1973 850MK1 original steel tank looks like the one above that DogT showed. No ridge, , just nicely contoured, flattish sloping down towards the rear

OldBalz · May 27, 2012

nortonista said:
My 1973 850MK1 original steel tank looks like the one above that DogT showed. No ridge, , just nicely contoured, flattish sloping down towards the rear

My 1973 MK1 Roadster w/original steel tank also looks like this.

Snakepit · May 27, 2012

The reason I asked is because upon stripping the tank for a repaint there is a definite although small pronounced crease going down the center of the tank. There was not filler or anything.

7000 · May 27, 2012

I know the ridge you are talking about. I have a 1973 750, steel tank. Towards the seat end of the tank, in the right light, you can see a slight rise down the center of the tank. I can rub my hand on it and feel it. It must be normal, it's the original tank.

Guido · May 27, 2012

I have the ridge on both of my tanks too.

mechanic matt · May 27, 2012

I have stripped and painted several steel tanks and they all have had the ridge you describe. I believe the steel tanks were assembled from three peices (bottom and two sides). What you describe as a ridge is actually the weld seam where the two top halfs are joined together.

The photo, posted by DogT, shows a fiberglass tank. I believe these were assembled from two peices (bottom and top), thus no ridge or seam along the top of the tank.

buwgafa · May 30, 2012

Another tank related question - my '71 S-type has its original fibreglass fuel tank mounted to the welded on front bracket. I have picked up a steel tank to replace it but this is fouling on the outer edges of bracket. If I use additional rubber spacers to clear the bracket the forks hit the tank before reaching full lock.I thought all the tanks were interchangeable but clearly not - this steel tank has the mount studs more recessed , plus a deeper flange at the front. Can anyone confirm which steel tanks I can use ?
My tank looks very similar to Dave's - I guess this is also f/glass ?

DogT · May 30, 2012

I keep my F/G tank pushed all the way back in the holes on the wings off the frame. Despite that, I always seem to have dings along the front edge where I hit the frame with it while installing. Can't speak to steel tanks, never had one. I do have 3 of those thick washers between the wings and the tank studs on mine, each side. And a couple of pipe insulation spacers in the back on the main tube.

The 68-70 have a much larger arc to turn the handle bars in than the later ones.

Dave
69S

73 Roadster fuel tank question

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