Egli Norton?

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worntorn

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The Roadster tank is too small for touring at 11 litres. The interstate is larger than it needs to be at 25 litres or even more fore the really wide ones.
It's strange that Norton just had the two sizes for many years. A third tank size in the middle would be nice.
The tank from my Egli is 18 litres. If one was made up for the Commando, it would be 19-20 litres as the Commando top spine is much smaller plus the Egli cutaway for the oil tank filler isn't needed. 20 litres is a nice size for touring.

Kinda like the look of it on there. Its much narrower than the Interstate tank. There would be a solo seat of some sort and swoopy rear cowl to go with it. This is for a Commando Special I might get to one day.



Glen
 
In the West we have stretches between pumps greater than that, mainly on the old highways I tend to head for. Then there are the mountains to deal with.
If your range is about 125 on the flat, it might only be 90 miles or less climbing steadily up and over a big Mountain pass. Add in a headwind and it sucks more fuel away.
My Rapide generally goes 160 miles before reserve when riding on flat or in gentle hills. I've had that number drop to around 100 miles when two up and climbing with a strong headwind.
Ive run out of gas with that bike a couple of times. The 15 litre tank is a bit small.
11 wouldn't cut it.

I can see that you wouldn't run into the same trouble in Ohio. The hills are lower and the gas stations closer.

Glen
 
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I ran out of juice on my Vincent once, had to take some juice out of my mate Velo to keep going. It was several years ago now, he has almost stopped taking the p*ss about it...:rolleyes:
 
Glen, why not do the job properly and build yourself a other Egli style frame and actually have an Egli Commando?
 
A third tank size in the middle would be nice.

The Fastback Long Range tank is about 4 Gals, Interpol with radio bay is the same tank modified with the radio bay and about 3 1/2 Gal. Modify an Interstate seat by relocating the mounting ears and you have an Interster or Roadstate.
 
In Australia going cross country there are a lot of long runs between fuel, a Roadster tank be bad news and even a interstate tank won't make it, going across Western Australia to Perth on a bike you have to carry extra fuel between stops, depends on size tank you have but 10 ltrs extra will be pushing it, 20 ltrs be more like it, but its a straight road no corners or hills.

Ashley
 
Fuel consumption was mentioned on here recently by someone (no names) as not being an issue. Until it becomes one. This is where my state of tune comes into play. I get 160 miles to reserve (about (265km) from my 11.9 litre Roadster tank. This is good enough for just about any touring in Australia until you hit the real remote areas. My quickly interchangeable Interstate tank will sort that. I actually lived in the remote north of WA where it could be an issue, depending on where you are going. A bloke who lived in the same town had a VTR 1000 Honda. Problem was, he could only go to the next town! No further. Had a range of 180km. Travelling across Australia from Brisbane to Melbourne (on my Norton), then across to Adelaide and home to the Pilbara via Perth, I didn't require spare fuel at all on my Buell, even though I carried 5 litres, with a range of about 300km with 16.8 litres at my disposal.

I'm only a week away from flying to Melbourne to meet up with my Norton and clock up a fair few miles across Victoria and New South Wales. Fuel range will not be an issue.

Consequently, I believe it's not what you've got, but how it is used that is the issue. Sort of like some other facets of life.
 
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260 miles is about 420km! not 265, but I get your point Ken. My Pan European (ST1100) did around 250 miles per tank 2 up loaded panniers, without making me panic, or getting past the point I could stay on it. On the mountains it tended to do better, but on European autoroutes/bahns/stradas we did tend to be running around 100mph. Due to the tank being underthe seat, the weight of a full tank was not noticeable.

So personally I can't quite under stand an Interstate tank having too much capacity, other than if it makes the ride more uncomfortable for you

And if the weight of a full tank makes the bike a little top heavy, don't fill it to the top except when you need.

I do understand if you just don't like the aesthetics.
 
Oops. Typo. I'm not saying that an Interstate tank has too much capacity Steve. My Roadster tank has enough range for most purposes but when I get back I'll be moving on the Interstate conversion for long trips. I had a Roadster back in the 70's until I swapped it for an Interstate tank and seat. I remember that it changed the handling dynamics and feel back then, so it will be interesting this time to do the comparison with the lighter steering setup on my bike.
 
Ken that is incredible mileage you get from your Roadster I manage about 125 miles until switching to reserve
Wouldn’t mind catching up with you at the Island Classic will you be at the Garland dinner with Ago as the Guest speaker
 
Gerard Rowley said:
Ken that is incredible mileage you get from your Roadster I manage about 125 miles until switching to reserve
Wouldn’t mind catching up with you at the Island Classic will you be at the Garland dinner with Ago as the Guest speaker
Click to expand...

Probably not. A bit rich for me, But I will be around.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Glen, why not do the job properly and build yourself a other Egli style frame and actually have an Egli Commando?
Click to expand...

I like the ISOs!

With a solidly mounted 920 cc parallel twin I would expect a lot of vibration.

Glen
 
kommando said:
A third tank size in the middle would be nice.

The Fastback Long Range tank is about 4 Gals, Interpol with radio bay is the same tank modified with the radio bay and about 3 1/2 Gal. Modify an Interstate seat by relocating the mounting ears and you have an Interster or Roadstate.
Click to expand...


Ross Thompson makes something similar with his Comdom tank. Its an Atlas or 650ss tank with a new bottom fitted to suit the Commando.
It also holds about 18 litres, which is good, but im not in love with the shape of that or the LR fastback tank.
Also, the tank needs to be in al. to save weight. This is intended to be a light bike.

I've contemplated building a narrower Interstate type shape at 20 litres. The interstate looks nice from the side, but is a bit wide , even in the smaller 24 litre steel version. Best might be to just shrink the shape a little all over to end up with 20 litres.

Glen
 
You could try fitting an SU Carb, I used to get 60+mpg out of mine giving me over 300 miles from my Interstate tank, tho' I went back to twin Amals because the throttle action is lighter, they look the part & it's good to stretch your legs & get a close up view of the places you're travelling through (unless of course it's that lonesome stretch of blacktop without petrol!) - a gel pad also saves the royal derrierre.

I thought I had petrol problems in Lincolnshire, but it's nothing compared to Australia & the West! Here many garages seem to have become hand job wash businesses. Impressive how people like the Van Buren sisters & others managed back at the start of the last century when places my not have even seen a motorcycle! (apologies off on a tangent).

Mike
 
Mike, I have the 24 litre steel Interstate tank on my 75. No range issues there even with twin amals. Keeping to 65 mph it will get 60 mpg solo giving a 300 mile range. Increase speed, add a passenger, add a climb or headwind and the range drops.
Still, Ive never needed the full range of the Interstate tank, 200 miles of range is plenty here.
There is no harm in having extra capacity of the Interstate tank, it's just the aesthetics that could be improved.

So for the Special I'll be building the tank anyway, might as well size it for the job.



Glen
 
I toured with a roaster tank and with an interstate tank. I had to give up the Norton when I could no longer kick it. I've done some Iron Butt stuff with an 850 Suzuki and a 1500 Gold wing. I had auxiliary fuel set-ups in both of them. In the Suzuki I used a 2.5 gallon plastic fuel can in each saddle bag, and for the Goldwing I had two 3 gallon aluminum tanks custom fabricated to fit in the bottom of each saddlebag. I then used an electric fuel pump and a collection of check valves and a diverter valve from a pickup truck to get the fuel to the carburetors. I could switch from main tank to either saddle tank on the fly. It worked very well. 360 mile range. I will say that after 300 miles, putting in fuel was not top priority when we pulled into a fuel stop. I am in the process right now of re-building the MK1 that I bought new in 74. I will be putting a interstate tank on it ( I have one of each) as well as a CNW electric leg. My plan is to do a SaddleSore 1,000 with the Norton this summer ( if I get it done).
 
Fullauto said:
Oops. Typo. I'm not saying that an Interstate tank has too much capacity Steve. My Roadster tank has enough range for most purposes but when I get back I'll be moving on the Interstate conversion for long trips. I had a Roadster back in the 70's until I swapped it for an Interstate tank and seat. I remember that it changed the handling dynamics and feel back then, so it will be interesting this time to do the comparison with the lighter steering setup on my bike.
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Sorry Ken, it was the OP that infered the Interstate tank has too much capacity.
 
Its physically too large to look good and has more capacity than I need. The extra capacity isn't a problem other than it means the tank is ungainly.

Glen
 
Hi Glen, understand your desire to improve the aesthetics, the Interstate tank is definitely a few inches too wide at the rear & does tend to push one's knees into the breeze! I also find the front end a bit 'light' when loaded with camping gear & luggage even with a full interstate tank.

I look forward to seeing the finished result - some great bikes built by people on this list, I'm sure this will be another!

Good luck!
 
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