Early Atlas fuel tank.

dynodave said:
All this information has long been known and I've posted pix and descriptions on the web though I can't recall where.
In the case of the seat, you will also see the seat perches that mount at the rear shock towers have ALSO been moved back by the same amount. Only the rear Dzus tab has not been moved. In that case the fender dzus hole was modified instead.

I went through this exercise a few years ago while trying to come up with a plan to turn my 63 Atlas into a small tank 62 88SS. My freinds manxman, that I was working on, was invaluable for genuine information and showed me how many parts I would have to modify or make. I would modify a seat base but not butcher a good fender since tht bike will eventually become a 650SS then eventually revert to a "combat" Atlas hot rod. Some day it might go back to pure stock too.
Click to expand...
I have a '62 bitsa with a later, right side filler, large tank and the corresponding rear fender. I also have a small tank sitting on the shelf. Since I don't want to butcher the fender I have always wondered about mounting the small tank and extending a stock seat with hard foam. I know the result wouldn't be "concours" but it would allow for use of the small tank without any more butchery than reworking the foam on a standard seat. Any thoughts?
 
texasSlick said:
By small, I suppose you mean the 2 1/2 gallon size. This was the tank fitted to my '62 Atlas, and that on my '63 Atlas.

The early versions had the filler cap left of center ..... This was moved right of center in later (post 64?) years.

They can be found on eBay occasionally, and bring a high price if in good shape.

I too, like the look of the 2 1/2 gal. tank, but it means frequent fuel stops on a long run.

Slick
Click to expand...


At 50 to gallon you do around 130 miles then a stop of a top up by then you need a toilet and a coffee and a Berger before setting off again even in the USA there must be a garage with in a 100 miles or so
 
Its probably helpfull to realise that the Small tank was not seen on Uk bikes back in the day ,may have been an option but was not seen as a proper big bike tank by uk Buyers . If anything Uk riders wanted 5 gallon tanks ,which they got by buying glass tanks from Dunstall etc.
 
texasSlick said:
Perhaps some more pics will enhance dynodave's explanation.

View attachment 5562

The female lugs are set back about 3 inches from the front edge, the support posts are located about 19 inches from the from the front edge, while the Dzus fastener is about 26 inches from the front edge.

Here is a look at the rear tank mounting, and its relationship to the seat prongs.

View attachment 5564

Another look at the tank on the bike. This is the same bike as that in
Reply #12 above, but 54 years later.

View attachment 5565

Slick
Click to expand...
Hi, Im looking for a seat for my Slimline Project, are the dimensions on the seat above for the large tank ?

I have a base here that misses the dzus hole by about an inch or so
 
funny, I never noticed it was smaller. I've had the "smaller tank" on my triton for years. Recently picked up a 66 atlas, and couldn't figure out why it felt so different to ride. Like it seems much wider.

I'll try and take some measurements
 
Is this the 2 1/2 gallon tank?
Early Atlas fuel tank.
 

Similar threads

T
Commando front guard into early Atlas with 7in fork centres
Replies
2
Views
722
mdt-son
M
Qside
Early atlas air box
Replies
6
Views
1,817
texasSlick
texasSlick
B
Early Atlas Small Tank
Replies
4
Views
1,520
Gilesy
Gilesy
texasSlick
Atlas Fuel Tank Cherry Red Color
Replies
14
Views
5,592
texasSlick
texasSlick
D
  • Locked
Aux Fuel Tank
Replies
5
Views
1,404
DogT
DogT
Back
Top