gas tanks

can anyone tell me if the gas tanks are interchangeble on all models.

I have a Norton Commando mk3 Interstate and in need of replacing the tank.
might look at a roadster tank ,just want to be comfortable that it will fit frame.

1965 Norton Atlas.
1975 Commando 850 mk 3 Interstate.
1974 VR880
RGDS
ANDREW

andrewb said:

can anyone tell me if the gas tanks are interchangeble on all models.

I have a Norton Commando mk3 Interstate and in need of replacing the tank.
might look at a roadster tank ,just want to be comfortable that it will fit frame.

Click to expand...

Yes, the standard tanks are interchangeable, however Interstate tanks are longer than Roadster tanks so the Interstate and Roadster seats (and side panels) are different.

L.A.B. said:

andrewb said:

can anyone tell me if the gas tanks are interchangeble on all models.

I have a Norton Commando mk3 Interstate and in need of replacing the tank.
might look at a roadster tank ,just want to be comfortable that it will fit frame.

Click to expand...

Yes, the standard tanks are interchangeable, however Interstate tanks are longer than Roadster tanks so the Interstate and Roadster seats (and side panels) are different.

Click to expand...

THANKS FOR THE REPLY:
a club member of ours bought an original tank"Interstate" and it didn' fit his bike it was too tight at the neck of the frame...he wa stold that it maybe from a MK2A.... I just don't want to get caught with buying a tank that does not fit

andrewb said:

a club member of ours bought an original tank"Interstate" and it didn' fit his bike it was too tight at the neck of the frame...he wa stold that it maybe from a MK2A.... I just don't want to get caught with buying a tank that does not fit

Click to expand...

The difference between Commando models was down to the body kit that was fitted to the frame. If the person who bought the Interstate tank tried to fit it along with a Roadster seat then there wouldn't be enough space for the Interstate tank.

Commando frames are all basically made to the same dimensions, although the earliest frames did not have the reinforcing tube and the tank mounting brackets were fixed differently. There were some minor variations in the width of the seat loops and the headstock angle differs by 1 degree between the 750 and 850 models, so theoretically at least, all Commando tanks should interchange between frames.

Frames
http://www.nortonproject.org/frame.htm

L.A.B. said:

andrewb said:

a club member of ours bought an original tank"Interstate" and it didn' fit his bike it was too tight at the neck of the frame...he wa stold that it maybe from a MK2A.... I just don't want to get caught with buying a tank that does not fit

Click to expand...

The difference between Commando models was down to the body kit that was fitted to the frame. If the person who bought the Interstate tank tried to fit it along with a Roadster seat then there wouldn't be enough space for the Interstate tank.

Commando frames are all basically made to the same dimensions, although the earliest frames did not have the reinforcing tube and the tank mounting brackets were fixed differently. There were some minor variations in the width of the seat loops and the headstock angle differs by 1 degree between the 750 and 850 models, so theoretically at least, all Commando tanks should interchange between frames.

Frames
http://www.nortonproject.org/frame.htm

Click to expand...

Thanks for that..
I always believed that would be the case but as mentioned, a club member bought a NOS interstate tank,still in the original box BRANDED MADE IN THE UK...from the US.
it would not fit and his bike was an Interstate with all the livery ..seat etc... strange huh!

Maybe it was just the box which was N.O.S.

My MKIII Interstate tank fits damn close to the top of the yoke. At full lock the bars come very close to the tank. If you had the thing too far to the forward - which is possible, it would hit. I have another steel Interstate tank, and it fits the same. Almost looks like it's wrong, but as long as you are careful removing or installing it, you'll be fine. BTW, I use the exhaust mounting rubbers for the front mounts on the Interstate tank, which is not a bad idea. They tend to crack around the welded in mounts if you run the plain studs with the rubbers. Depending on the kind of exhaust mounts you buy, you might have to shorten one of the studs on each mount so they don't bottom in the tank.

Standard practice to shim,fetter to fit from the factory.Interstate needs matching sidecovers and seat to achieve happiness state.I would offer to swap for my extra tank,perfect original stripped and primered steel roadster tank except the inter. is kindof not so aesthetic to me although it is worth more money I know.Plus it is not an endurance ride I crave,like to stretch legs and do yoga like things when gas gets low.