Classic Tinware - personal experience

After reading the thread on tanks available from the Indian vendor Classic Tinware, I was intrigued by Anil's responses and generous offer to supply a tank to examine and then decide if Charles wished to purchase it.
Now I have been having some problems with my new 'glass production racer tank that despite cleaning and sealing it with Caswell epoxy before a drop of fuel was used, has developed a nasty penchant for developing "bumps" all over if fuel is left in the tank for a couple weeks. I decided I wanted an alloy tank, either polished or painted. I have seen Evan Wilcox's work, lead time, and prices, and decided that was not an option. He does beautiful work, but this is no show bike and I didn't want to wait 12-18 months. I have seen some of the tanks from Bartel and others from England and quality is pretty good, but have heard horror stories about delays. So having seen the Classic Tinware tank advertised and Anil's offer I thought I would be the guinea pig. I did not want to take his offer of shipping a tank for free for evaluation, because I was interested in exactly what the normal customer would receive and not an extra special item because it would be reported to the group here. So I anted up about $745 and ordered it from the Classic Tinware website.

After two weeks passed I had not had any communication and the website didn't tell me there was any change of status or that it had been shipped, so I e-mailed them. Anil responded in about 5 hours that the tank had been shipped two days prior and I should receive it in the coming week. The very next morning FedEx dropped this at my door.








So the tank has been on the bike about a month and full of fuel. No leaks. No fitment problems. I used the original front studs and mount washers. Finish is pretty good. Not perfect, but I'm satisfied with it. It is much, much better than some of the steel roadster tanks I have seen peddled. Dealing with Anil was easy and professional. Is this a glowing review? No. Just relating my experience. This tank is alloy as I don't need a steel tank. There are more photos here that show weld quality, etc.:
http://s93.photobucket.com/user/rl900/library/Alloy PR tank
I only post this to supply more information for you to draw your conclusions.

Looks quite nice and a mighty impressive shipping container! I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if my FG Fastback tank starts giving me a problem. 745 USD still seems like a high price for an umpainted fuel tank to me but I guess the prices are what the prices are...

FWIW, my FG tank from Burtons Bike Bits, which I Caswelled from new (Burton's said treatment wasn't necessary because the resin can handle current fuels) has so far it's been totally oblivious to any fuel-related issues over the past three years.

The shipping box has the Hero Honda logo imprinted on it and a little padlock. The key was tied to the handle!
I guess they were used to transport parts to them.

I have used Caswell on fiberglass tanks in the past and had no problem. This one for some reason gets little blisters after a while. They appear all over the tank, so I have to believe something is different here.

Mike, over $700 for an alloy tank is not unreasonable, I think.

Ron, thanks for stepping up to the plate. I was going to do it, but when I contacted Anil after he said he would send me one on trial, he wanted the $ up front. I just wasn't willing to go that far at this point as I can get by with my original FB tank and avgas. But I would have paid him full price for a steel one that looked just like my FB tank and fit on my 69 without the stanchions hitting the tank. I still wouldn't mind having 2 tanks, I always seem to have to paint them often.

I'm still waiting for someone to buy a Fastback steel and get a report on that, I think chasbmw is interested.

I have to say, corresponding with Anil, he seems to know the different Norton tanks and he was willing to make me a custom steel roadster tank for less than $400 delivered.

A similar alloy tank from Evan Wilcox is $2000 and a long wait.

Re: Classic Tinware - personal experiences

That tank looks really nice, does it have internal baffles ?

I ended up buying a steel FBI tank through this guy, very little negative feedback, so I shall post a report when received .


You completed checkout on 23-Aug-13
Send to: Payment details: Total:
Charles newall PayPal
Seller: pummy.8081 ( 3862 )
Seller information: favourite motorbike accesories
parvinder ahuja
B-119 Rampuri near surya nagar
Ghaziabad, UP 201011 IN
Item title Price
P&P price
Quantity Item total
NEW NORTON FASTBACK COMMANDO PETROL TANK RAW STEEL + CHROME CAP ( item: 370807162318 transaction: 505110727024 )

Paid on 23-Aug-13 £150.00 £60.00 1 £150.00
Standard Delivery from outside UK
Estimated delivery: Thu. 12 Sep. - Fri. 20 Sep.

Well I just drained my tank and there's definite delamination going on in there. I don't know how to post a picture of the chunk of resin I just found loose in there.

I've ordered a fastback tank for my 68, the intent will be to line it, paint it, and put a cool norton script logo on where I currently have the norton villiers round emblem now. I'll report back when it arrives.

Ok, fastback tank arrived today, very much the same experience as OP, no communication, no updates, after 2 weeks shot them an email and had fast response indicating order was in process and it should ship this week sometime. (Customer experience could be greatly improved for almost no money by just sending a confirmation email when order was received and one when it shipped)

Packaging was identical to OP and good thing too as it took a beating in transit (but tank was unharmed)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hqdrmtpvqtvrysd/2013-09-10 10.17.38.jpg

Was very surprised at how heavy gauge the steel was, much heavier than a normal honda tank, etc. weighed in right at 13lbs. Was primed which was a pleasant surprise. Can decide if the inside of tank is rusty or some sort of preservative was sprayed in. Is very bright orange and still wet. Fished out two- three bits of loose slag and still can't decide.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/k7g2voh3su2mv4m/2013-09-10 16.32.49.jpg

Flipping tank over shows reasonably decent welding

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mcrjw949w7ja2ad/2013-09-10 16.07.00.jpg

I'll probably dress up/true bottom edge a bit, but does look to need much work. Threads appear to be a perfect match for the petcocks off of my original fiberglass tank. Need to figure out what thread/pitch for mounting studs. Pretty sure it must be whitworth or BSF of some sort.

Only a couple of minor areas that I would say need some love, bottom side/edge of tank just ahead of fastback indent, and right above the seat on back top edge. Imperfections are very very minor, but are visible, not that running you hand over them feels much. Here's the side imperfection

https://www.dropbox.com/s/nly4b5sfy9y49on/2013-09-10 16.06.38.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/v5oanb5rv7glujz/2013-09-10 16.18.35.jpg

Here are some pics sitting loosely on bike and with seat

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xwq9khrol81kgi6/2013-09-10 16.16.52.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/z4drwhpono9y8qt/2013-09-10 16.16.43.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6pz4zs3s75mogqp/2013-09-10 16.18.55.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/la6s809ujec70zu/2013-09-10 16.25.01.jpg

I'm going to set it up for a pressure test and then will probably put a POR15 tank liner it it and then paint it up.

thanks folks, sounds like this supplier has passed the review - think I will get one myself.
let me know if you have anything to add in the meanwhile.

orso

When I get some money together i am going to get a alloy tank for my Wideline Featherbed from Burtons British Bikes (Manx1 5 gallon) they are British made and around the same price and they are instock, he sells a lot of tanks for our Nortons (steel, F/G, and alloy), I think the workman ship would be better, I have heard some stories about India made tanks (not fitting properly, leaking, bad welding etc), but only time will tell how good they realy are.

Ashley

I paid @$850 for an alloy Fastback tank @ 8 years ago. I cannot remember if it RGM or Norvil but it had some figment issues and was unpolished. I ended up painting it and using a hammer to get the right fit for the tower head steady.
Your price seems fair and I am happy to see options in replacing old fiber tanks. I will never again try to save a fiber tank.
Mike

similiar may not be too accurate but we get your point :mrgreen:

Ron L said:

A similar alloy tank from Evan Wilcox is $2000 and a long wait.

Click to expand...

thanks for posting ....hopefully they will learn how to weld after a few more tanks

Dmftoy1 said:

Ok, fastback tank arrived today, very much the same experience as OP, no communication, no updates, after 2 weeks shot them an email and had fast response indicating order was in process and it should ship this week sometime. (Customer experience could be greatly improved for almost no money by just sending a confirmation email when order was received and one when it shipped)

Packaging was identical to OP and good thing too as it took a beating in transit (but tank was unharmed)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hqdrmtpvqtvrysd/2013-09-10 10.17.38.jpg

Was very surprised at how heavy gauge the steel was, much heavier than a normal honda tank, etc. weighed in right at 13lbs. Was primed which was a pleasant surprise. Can decide if the inside of tank is rusty or some sort of preservative was sprayed in. Is very bright orange and still wet. Fished out two- three bits of loose slag and still can't decide.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/k7g2voh3su2mv4m/2013-09-10 16.32.49.jpg

Flipping tank over shows reasonably decent welding

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mcrjw949w7ja2ad/2013-09-10 16.07.00.jpg

I'll probably dress up/true bottom edge a bit, but does look to need much work. Threads appear to be a perfect match for the petcocks off of my original fiberglass tank. Need to figure out what thread/pitch for mounting studs. Pretty sure it must be whitworth or BSF of some sort.

Only a couple of minor areas that I would say need some love, bottom side/edge of tank just ahead of fastback indent, and right above the seat on back top edge. Imperfections are very very minor, but are visible, not that running you hand over them feels much. Here's the side imperfection

https://www.dropbox.com/s/nly4b5sfy9y49on/2013-09-10 16.06.38.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/v5oanb5rv7glujz/2013-09-10 16.18.35.jpg

Here are some pics sitting loosely on bike and with seat

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xwq9khrol81kgi6/2013-09-10 16.16.52.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/z4drwhpono9y8qt/2013-09-10 16.16.43.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6pz4zs3s75mogqp/2013-09-10 16.18.55.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/la6s809ujec70zu/2013-09-10 16.25.01.jpg

I'm going to set it up for a pressure test and then will probably put a POR15 tank liner it it and then paint it up.

Click to expand...

why would you want to seal a steel tank ?
Isnt it the sealers that are failing after a few years in ethanol?
I would pressure test it and if it doesn't leak ride it
I wonder it its possible to plate the inside of the tank similar to galvanising or cadmium to stop any internal rusting ?

sean said:

why would you want to seal a steel tank ?
Isnt it the sealers that are failing after a few years in ethanol?
I would pressure test it and if it doesn't leak ride it
I wonder it its possible to plate the inside of the tank similar to galvanising or cadmium to stop any internal rusting ?

Click to expand...

If you are going to use a sealer why the hell not just seal your old glass tank?