Indian fuel tanks.

Well the inevitable has happened. Hope that's spelt right, don't have spelling check at the moment.
I have noticed a weep developeing at the front top of my F/G tank. Yes painted by previous owner.
Any way... Always did want the Interstate tank.
Did anybody actually buy a tank from India or Pakistan or any where else, and are happy with it.?
Did it fit ? Is it of good quality ? Is the metal of sufficient thickness ? Did it paint up allright ?
AC.

Dear AC,

I have a Hi Rider steel tank, but as for the indian & or pakistan tanks, I have seen one at Eades in sydney,and they do not look too flash. They are not a faithful reproduction the creases in the side are all wrong. Best to trawl ebay for a Roadster or Interstate. The interstate will require a differnet seat though.
I have a mate with a LR tank and seat assy, this was the type used on the fastback, let me know if that appeals.

Otherwise I beliver vynylester is the resin to use with todays fuel, to repair.

Cheers richard

Thanks Richard,
Yes been looking for a while, missed a bargain $650.00 ish
If I go for another tank I would like it to be an Interstate. I really like the look with the Roadster sidecovers and pipes.
How ever I am a Fastback fan. Again I like the Fast back tail with Interstate tank.
How much fuel does the Hi rider hold.
How much did Eades want for the Impersonator.?
AC.

The other option you might consider is having an alloy one made (Roadster, Fastback or Interstate) by Bernie Willett in Victoria (03 9437 0232). Bernie makes tanks from scratch and is an absolute master craftsman. He made a replica tank for my Manx for $800 and it was a thing of beauty - fabulous polished finish and a wonderful shape. He's doing a 5 gallon BSA Spitfire for a mate at present. If you get Old Bike Australia there was a short piece in it on Bernie a while back complete with a picture of a tank he'd made for Jim Scaysbrook. I've often been tempted to do an all alloy fastback - I reckon it would look fabulous with the tank and seat all polished.

Hey AC, that Bernie dude sounds like the go. Considering you'll easily spend about $400-500 for a good used tank, and $500-$700 (w/freight) for a new one, which probably won't be a perfect fit, $800 for an alloy unit is cheap as chips. Only problem with alloy is that ya never want to paint over it.

Hi AC,
I would definitely stay away from either the Indian or Pakistani tanks. I have painted one of each for customers who insisted on using them, and both leaked down the line. Beyond that, they look crudely made when you have them in your hands. The Pak tank bodylines are basically not there, just curves, and the Indian tanks have hammer marks everywhere, look hand made, but not a good handmade, more like they were beaten into shape with a large mallet on a rock kind of hand made. From 20 feet away, they look fine. Also the stampings around the necks, and the fillers themselves are poorly executed. So best to stay away. Regarding painting alloy tanks, they can be painted, but prep is critical. I have done several.
Cheers,
Brent
The Vintage Vendor
www.vintage-vendor.com

jbbudgor said:

Regarding painting alloy tanks, they can be painted, but prep is critical. I have done several.

Click to expand...

Sorry Brent, what I meant was that alloy tanks, when built well, look so nice that it's a shame to paint over.

Thanks boys, I'll give him a ring.
AC.