Classic tinware tanks

I got a reply from Anil today and apparently he has sent a tank to Lyell, but I'm not sure, I looked Lyell up and he's in AU and owns NorCom Cycles and I have even heard from Lyell via email, however I have not received permission yet to post his reply to my email. It sounds like right now we are in a bit of a stalemate. But Lyell has suggested he would review one of his tanks, but that is still in the works. Despite Anil's offer to me to send one he refused, and I can understand he can't be sending free tanks all over the world. But I'm waiting for a good review of his products. I'd certainly be glad to receive a tank for inspection and review, but as it stands, I'm not spending well over $300 for a tank I'm not sure will work on my early bike. Anil gave me permission to quote his emails, so here's what his prices are. I'm assuming these are Roadster tanks because that's what I asked for. Like I've said, he apparently understands there's a difference between the early fiberglass tanks and the later steel ones, but I'd really be interested in the difference. Myself, I'm not sure, but I may have a friend that has a 71 steel tank to compare, we'll see.

STEEL BARE TANK IS USD. 245
STEEL CHROME TANK IS USD. 295
STEEL PAINTED TANK WITH DECALS AND PINSTRIPING IS USD. 415
FUEL CAP IS USD. 25
FUEL TAP IS USD. 18 EACH
ALLOY POLISHED TANK WITH CAP IS USD. 600
SHIPPING DOOR TO DOOR FOR A TANK IS USD. 99

He has plenty of other stuff.

Later,
Dave

Hello, I work at Hitchcocks Motorcycles who supply Royal Enfield parts. For a long time now we have been dealing with Indian made tanks and tinware

So a few general comments

The shape and fitting of the tanks is quite reasonable.

However the main problems we see are the general finish of the tank. The underside of the tank and the associated welding can be of a poor quality with very little attempt to "dress" the finish. The tops of the tanks are made from a number of pressings and the long welds joining these are, again, not well finished. Small pits are quite common and whilst these can be filled for painting they are difficult to finish for chroming. This can be done with repatative copper plating but is very expensive

The good news.

Firstly they are very cheap compared to a UK / USA tank. Poosibly as much as a third of the price of a handmade steel or alloy tank.

I think the best way to approach the eBay / Indian tanks it to realise you are paying for a good shape tank which is part finished. Dont consider buying a painted or chromed tank

Be prepared to initailly pressure test the tank and make any repairs
Then dress the tank to the required finish
Finally get them painted / chromed by your local specialist

You may not get a true, accurate concours tank but it should look good and be perfectly serviceable.

Richard

An update with my contact with Anil. Unfortunately, although he said he would send me a tank for inspection, he wants me to pay full price up front. I didn't think that was the deal, I was assuming I'd get a tank and if it were acceptable (or perfect?) then I could pay for it. I decided not to take him up on the up front payment deal, I'd rather see a real review by one of our members or someone not directed to by Anil. A guarantee from India is not acceptable to me given the price of postage, but I was willing to step up to the plate and try his tank with the initial conditions.

Lyell of Norcom Cycles is also trying to make some arrangement with Anil, but I'll let him speak for himself.

So I'll wait for a review, but I did like the fact he would custom make a tank to my specifications, not an off the shelf item.

tribonnie said:

Hello, I work at Hitchcocks Motorcycles who supply Royal Enfield parts. For a long time now we have been dealing with Indian made tanks and tinware

So a few general comments.....


I think the best way to approach the eBay / Indian tanks it to realise you are paying for a good shape tank which is part finished. Dont consider buying a painted or chromed tank

Be prepared to initailly pressure test the tank and make any repairs
Then dress the tank to the required finish
Finally get them painted / chromed by your local specialist

You may not get a true, accurate concours tank but it should look good and be perfectly serviceable.

Richard

Click to expand...

+1

That is exactly the way I dealt with my roadster tank from partsparadise51, and I'm satisfied with the result.

"Unfortunately, although he said he would send me a tank for inspection, he wants me to pay full price up front. I didn't think that was the deal, I was assuming I'd get a tank and if it were acceptable (or perfect?) then I could pay for it."

Talk is cheap, huh Dave.?

reminds me of the joke i frequently hear at the bike shop

the only thing cheap on a norton is the owner :shock:

Snorton74 said:

.....

Talk is cheap.....

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hi folks, were there further news on this? I am in the list of those who need a steel fastback tank, so eager to know more about the quality of classic tinware.
has any testing progressed? has anyone bought one of these tanks?

thanks

Maybe you need to look at the fiberglass tank by norbsa? At least he got a good review. replacement-fiberglass-tank-t17775.html

I haven't heard of anyone buying the Classic metal fastback tank, I think someone did buy a steel Fastback one from another Eastern source however, I can look it up maybe if you like.

So far my fiberglass tank is doing fine with avgas and I don't/can't ride past the limitation anyhow, my body won't take it.

Dave

nice one, thanks for the advice, but I think I am inclined to get a steel tank - read some horror stories about FG disintegrating in case of an accident.

did I not read somewhere Andover Norton were investing in new press tooling the Roadster tank ???

Roadster tanks made from press tools will be more uniform in shape and thickness
and with no internal rust issues from new

Snorton74 said:

http://www.accessnorton.com/classic-tinware-personal-experience-t17222.html#p213716

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thanks, helpful!

Orsonoce said:

Snorton74 said:

http://www.accessnorton.com/classic-tinware-personal-experience-t17222.html#p213716

Click to expand...

thanks, helpful!

Click to expand...

On the other hand; here is my experience of dealing with them (it's a generic passage going out to many varied groups) :evil:

I buy from, and sell to, all corners of the world; usually without major problems. The occasional hiccup when the Google translator service throws the odd wobbly but nothing too severe. I buy some stuff from a Japanese manufacturer - neither of us speaks the others language or even reads the writing. But we get along and do business together. More easily now that we have had some time to build some trust between us. But the unpalatable truth is that there are some folk out there who just do not 'get' the Internet with all its advantages and disadvantages too. They seem to think that if they screw you over then it's 'just' you and no one else will ever know about their second rate products, lacklustre service, questionable ethics and blatant lies. BUT, I found someone who is of the opinion that since I am a long way from them then I can't do a thing to affect them. We shall see.

So, with hardness in my heart, I write to you to warn you of a company that is either supremely incompetent (and staffed by amateurish and inept liars) or is engaged in rip-off tactics of the highest order. If you hear of them, or you are approached by them or you even know friends who may be tempted by their wares then I implore you to RUN A MILE while you still have the money in your pockets! If you were particularly mean spirited and vindictive then you could extract revenge upon an enemy by sending THEM in the direction of the company concerned. :twisted:
Let me give you a VERY brief rundown on this particular company (the email count runs to 32 at the moment). I have ALL the emails at my fingertips should any legal proceedings develop.

1. They approach me to sell some of their goods to me. (08-09-2013)
2. I order some of their goods, the order split 50/50 in 2 sizes. (they confirm items in stock 5-11-2013)
3. I pay for the goods. (7-11-2013)
4. They send me the total order quantity in 1 size.
5. I explain that they have the order wrong.
6. They say they never had quoted me for the missing size. (22-11-2013, the lies begin here and continue despite me PROVING they are lying).
7. They prevaricate (repeatedly) regarding a refund and offer to offset my refund against the future purchase of petrol tanks as long as they can falsify the invoice to their own benefit.(18-12-2013)
8. I refrain from telling them what to do with their petrol tanks (18-12-2013) :shock:
9. In light of their failure to communicate and remedy the situation I release the story onto the internet as a warning to others (22-1-2014)

The people you want to avoid are an Indian company who trade as "Classic Tinware". Remember this name, CLASSIC TINWARE, imprint it, BURN IT into your memory lest you be tempted to do business with them. Should you ever read of CLASSIC TINWARE, INDIA anywhere just smile to yourself, put a big red line through the advert and walk away happy in the knowledge that you have saved yourself some hard earned £/$/€ and a whole load of unnecessary aggravation. Not having to deal with liars and scam artists is also a BIG bonus in my opinion. Mark Twain is oft quoted as being the originator of the saying " Lies, damned lies and statistics". I would modify that to read "Liars, damned liars and CLASSIC TINWARE".

Thank you for the opportunity to let me vent some spleen & apologies for intruding upon threads unspecified.

Finally; if any are minded to assist me in spreading the good news to other fora so that others may be warned then please feel free to cut and paste to your hearts delight. I shall be posting on these fora:
Access Norton
MotoScrubs
DOCGB
Bevelheads (FaceBook)
Ducati Forum (FB)
Ducati bevel racers (FB)

and any others I can think of.

They have a footnote on their home page "What others say". I can only assume that 'Chris' is either in their pocket OR has never had the opportunity to deal with a decent, honest enterprise.

thanks
Howard
Capo at http://www.discovolantemoto.co.uk

I am not suprised at all by this. I have no reason to disbelieve Soloduckie.
Saw one of these very tanks recently. Bloke had same complaint over communicaion. the tank certainly was not perfect to say the least.
I once wanted to cut one open to examine the inside and copped a bit of stick over the proposal.
There is a massive amount of anecdotal evidence that goods comning out of India and can be dodgy to say the least. However one can get into trouble from the politically correct and toey buggers, for saying so. maybe so, but that dont make the goods any better.
So what we got is an opportunity for ol Tinman to reply here and remind us once again, " my tanks are perfect, but ...".
He has scarpered. wont see him again here.
bradley

So Howard, quit beating around the bush and tell us what you really think!




Thanks - good info. Guess I won't be looking to buy a fastback tank from them should my FG tank ever need replacing.

Soloduckie said:

1. They approach me to sell some of their goods to me. (08-09-2013)
2. I order some of their goods, the order split 50/50 in 2 sizes. (they confirm items in stock 5-11-2013)
3. I pay for the goods. (7-11-2013)
4. They send me the total order quantity in 1 size.
5. I explain that they have the order wrong.
6. They say they never had quoted me for the missing size. (22-11-2013, the lies begin here and continue despite me PROVING they are lying).
7. They prevaricate (repeatedly) regarding a refund and offer to offset my refund against the future purchase of petrol tanks as long as they can falsify the invoice to their own benefit.(18-12-2013)
8. I refrain from telling them what to do with their petrol tanks (18-12-2013) :shock:
9. In light of their failure to communicate and remedy the situation I release the story onto the internet as a warning to others (22-1-2014)

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All this says is you or they got an order wrong so you elect to post dribble all over the internet. :roll:
What does it have to do with the quality of the fuel tanks,looks like nothing to me so it is basically a worthless post.

If you had elected to come onto this site and warn people of poor quality products that relate to Norton motorcycles that would have shown some gumption,instead it is a bunch of waffle about how you want others to post crap all over the internet,I notice there is already spam on ADVRider.com.
I very much doubt this poster represents the company implied,no one would be that ignorant.
Perhaps they do and are just another vender who was buying cheap out of India to gain huge profit margins in a home market.

Still well pleased with the Interstate fuel tank I purchased off Partsparadise51,I notice venders are trying to flog them off with 100% mark ups from what they sold for last year.

Howard was not talking fuel tanks .

he ordered a bunch of Monza fuel caps . half of that order supposed to be 2 inch caps and the other half 2.5 inch caps .

they send the whole order 2.5 inch caps and swear up and down thats what he ordered and refused to correct the order

after a couple of months mailing back and their refusel to correct the issue i fully understand his frustration .

@ Brad

cutting open a fuel tank is useless . the tinman is a middleman . he buys from lots of little shops .
one tank could be a very nice fit and nicely made while a tank from the next shop would a bad fitting piece of crap .

and yes the tinman will be back on this forum . thats how he makes his living .

Eldert



this is my indian made tank i bought from Rohan at vintage auto world . i am totally happy with the tank and the service

One post each and somehow found this thread.

Which one of you is the ventriloquist :?:

Eldert said:

Howard was not talking fuel tanks .

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You have to love the internet.
Its about gas tanks now even though never mentioned . :roll:

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=949318

How ironic.
Someone decides to try and put a black mark against a company by posting on the internet in a thread not about 'gas caps :lol: then someone else puts a thread up on another website that has over 400 views to date relating to it but in a slanderous fashion and also has a link identifying the so called UK company that started it.
That has to be good for future business.
Good luck with that and hope the foot heals quickly.

time warp

here are this puppet dealings with a Indian middleman concerning aluminum fuel tanks :

http://www.ducati.ms/forums/14-vintage/ ... tanks.html

Eldert

P.S.

a little explanation how i landed up on this forum : a couple of years back a bought a Vendetta / Caffrey frame for
a Ducati single . trying to find out a little more about John Caffrey a Google search brought me on this forum .
John is a member here under the vendettaframebuilder name . i joined this forum and got in contact with John thru a PM