Fiberglass interstate tank value?

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KSUWildcatFan

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I have a steel roadster tank on my commando and I really want to switch to an interstate tank. Obviously I'd rather have a steel tank but those seem to sell for a small fortune.

I found a decent fiberglass interstate tank for $265 shipped. Is that a reasonable price? Should I worry at all about using a fiberglass tank?

-Jordan
 
A bargain deal if not too beat or broken. $400 is more like ballpark I've seen used ones for.
 
Can you find fuel in your area that does not have methanol in it? If not, then the life span of the tank will be in question. I would put the money toward a steel or alloy tank. Check out this thread to see what kind of extremes people are going through to salvage fiberglass.

fixing-fiberglass-tank-t6227.html?hilit=fiberglass tank repair

A bargain fiberglass tank might already be damaged from methanol and be leaking or blistered.

Russ

EDIT=yes, I should have said ethanol instead of methanol...both actually are a problem, but methanol is not typically added at the pump.
 
hobot said:
A bargain deal if not too beat or broken. $400 is more like ballpark I've seen used ones for.
Click to expand...

looks almost mint except for one nickel-sized blemish in the paint (I'd be repainting it anyway)..
 
KSUWildcatFan said:
Doh. I think I talked myself out of it. The search continues for a steel tank, I guess.

-Jordan
Click to expand...
smart man - they are not worth the problems if you have ETOH in your fuel
 
Fiberglass IS tanks weigh about same as steel Roadster tanks and give place to knee grip for better controlled thrills. If no obvious break through in paint the likely its just fine and future protection or correction of current tank can be fixed by 2 part epoxy coat Caswell sells. Strong stuff you could make whole tank out of.
Steel may need coated too you know.
 
KSUWildcatFan said:
I have a steel roadster tank on my commando and I really want to switch to an interstate tank.
Click to expand...

I don't know if you were aware that if you fit an Interstate tank then you will also need an Interstate seat as the Interstate tank is longer than the Roadster tank?

Or your Roadster seat mounting brackets will have to be modified. Interstate and Roadster seats are also two different shapes.
 
L.A.B. said:
KSUWildcatFan said:
I have a steel roadster tank on my commando and I really want to switch to an interstate tank.
Click to expand...

I don't know if you were aware that if you fit an Interstate tank then you will also need an Interstate seat as the Interstate tank is longer than the Roadster tank?

Or your Roadster seat mounting brackets will have to be modified. Interstate and Roadster seats are also two different shapes.
Click to expand...

I plan on buying a Corbin gunfighter seat.
 
Looks like they have the bare steel tank listed at 310 pounds (about $500). God only knows how much shipping would cost..
 
KSUWildcatFan said:
Looks like they have the bare steel tank listed at 310 pounds (about $500). God only knows how much shipping would cost..
Click to expand...


The price list that opens for me shows 250 pounds for bare steel, about $380 at current exchange rates. My steel roadster tank was beaten senseless by the PO's soon to be ex-wife, so I have to decide which is less expensive, repair or replace.
 
KSUWildcatFan said:
L.A.B. said:
KSUWildcatFan said:
I have a steel roadster tank on my commando and I really want to switch to an interstate tank.
Click to expand...

I don't know if you were aware that if you fit an Interstate tank then you will also need an Interstate seat as the Interstate tank is longer than the Roadster tank?

Or your Roadster seat mounting brackets will have to be modified. Interstate and Roadster seats are also two different shapes.
Click to expand...

I plan on buying a Corbin gunfighter seat.
Click to expand...

gun fighter seats for roadster tanks only.....

if need roadster tank, rather than burton you can buy one in states at commando

specialties (suppose to have in in a few weeks)

http://commandospecialties.com/Prod_Det ... ProdID=159
 
That looks interesting, if you hadn't provided the link I never would have found that on their website. Not long ago I contacted British Cycle supply about a tank, they sent pictures of one they had sourced from Pakistan that had a few glaring errors, number one of which was gas cap on backwards. The other main error was the cap wasn't recessed into the tank like the OEM tanks. I can't really tell from the Commando Specialties picture but it looks like theirs is built properly.
 
Shipping from the UK has improved, but I think any shipping is awful anymore stateside or international. I have found from Australia it is sometimes cheaper and quicker than buying in the states. I think it is important not to claim value because then you can get zapped for customs duty charges which are a friggin rip off. I think some places also charge extra for shipping in the states. the best luck I've had from the UK is actually their royal mail, go figure. Look at the actual cost vs what they flat rate charge you in the states. I didn't know about commando specialties. Wonder if most of the vendors are sourcing from the same place. It would be better to be able to look at an after market tank before purchasing. I'm sure there has to be someone on here that can offer a review on a repop steel tank.
 
No gunfighter seat for the interstate tank? Fml.

I have a nice steel roadster tank, I just want an interstate tank. I think it looks better and it holds more gas..
 
I've seen the Corbin seats for an Interstate tank, but I don't know if they're generally available or if it was just a one-off they did for CNW. You might call Corbin and/or CNW and see what they say.

I bought a fibreglass Interstate tank off fleabay for $200 and the seat for $100. The tank appears to be a pattern part, not OEM. It needs to be repainted and sealed (it has a few patches of what looks like a failed POR15 job inside). I've been too lazy to deal with stripping out the rest of the liner, so it's just been gathering dust on the shelf. Maybe one of these days I'll get around to it.

Debby
 
cyclegeezer said:
KSUWildcatFan said:
Looks like they have the bare steel tank listed at 310 pounds (about $500). God only knows how much shipping would cost..
Click to expand...


The price list that opens for me shows 250 pounds for bare steel, about $380 at current exchange rates. My steel roadster tank was beaten senseless by the PO's soon to be ex-wife, so I have to decide which is less expensive, repair or replace.
Click to expand...

It is probably cheaper to repair the wife than to replace...but even at the cost to replace it is usually worth it!
 
KSUWildcatFan said:
No gunfighter seat for the interstate tank? Fml.

I have a nice steel roadster tank, I just want an interstate tank. I think it looks better and it holds more gas..
Click to expand...

Yes there is a Corbin Gunfighter avaiable for the I-State tank. I have one on my bike.

You have a few ways to do this...

Order it from Doug McCadam, Doug's Norton's, which is what I did about 6 years ago...he had an exclusive deal with Corbin at one time. Assuming that is still in place as the Corbin site does not mention the I-state version.

Order the standard Roadster seat, peel the cover back, trim the seat pan and foam to fit and staple the cover back in place...not a big deal. This is what I would do if setting one up today. If you're nervous doing this, have a local upholestry shop do it for you.

Order the standard from Corbin without the cover, fit it to your bike, then send it back to be covered.

Take your bike to Corbin for the "ride in" service and have them build it while you wait.
 
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