Interstate Petrol / Gas Tank Woes. Alternatives?

Britstuff said:

Hi:

I am working to put a 1974 MKII interstate back on the road. I naively thought the petrol tank was ready to go. But on closer inspection, one of the 1/4" BSP threads, (for the petcocks) has been rather crudely repaired. Also, one of the front 5/16" - 24 mounting points has been "repaired" with a coach bolt and JB Weld - yuck! Hard to fathom what the previous owner was thinking, or maybe he thought petrol leaking onto the coils and exhaust was nothing to worry about? Anyway, looking at Fast Eddies recent post entitled: "Interstate time" - I am firstly in awe of the skill / craftsmanship and am also reminded that my tank, with time and effort, could be repaired. But..... maybe I could invest in something a bit more exotic instead????

I am wondering if there are other tank options out there that I might want to consider? The interstate tank is a tad wide. A roadster tank is too small for my liking, plus I like the plush interstate seat. Is there something out there the same length as an interstate tank, but a little more narrow to the rear? I also have a 1962 650SS with a standard tank, I find that to be the perfect size, i.e. not too narrow and not too wide. I see Norvil offers a 3.5 gallon aluminium tank which looks a bit like a production race tank? Can anyone make any other exotic tank recommendations? I'm not interested in indian made tanks - too many horror stories. But I'm wondering if there is anyone left in the U.S.A. / Europe who still makes alternative tank options?

Thank you!

James

Click to expand...

Britstuff said:

Hi:

I am working to put a 1974 MKII interstate back on the road. I naively thought the petrol tank was ready to go. But on closer inspection, one of the 1/4" BSP threads, (for the petcocks) has been rather crudely repaired. Also, one of the front 5/16" - 24 mounting points has been "repaired" with a coach bolt and JB Weld - yuck! Hard to fathom what the previous owner was thinking, or maybe he thought petrol leaking onto the coils and exhaust was nothing to worry about? Anyway, looking at Fast Eddies recent post entitled: "Interstate time" - I am firstly in awe of the skill / craftsmanship and am also reminded that my tank, with time and effort, could be repaired. But..... maybe I could invest in something a bit more exotic instead????

I am wondering if there are other tank options out there that I might want to consider? The interstate tank is a tad wide. A roadster tank is too small for my liking, plus I like the plush interstate seat. Is there something out there the same length as an interstate tank, but a little more narrow to the rear? I also have a 1962 650SS with a standard tank, I find that to be the perfect size, i.e. not too narrow and not too wide. I see Norvil offers a 3.5 gallon aluminium tank which looks a bit like a production race tank? Can anyone make any other exotic tank recommendations? I'm not interested in indian made tanks - too many horror stories. But I'm wondering if there is anyone left in the U.S.A. / Europe who still makes alternative tank options?

Thank you!

James

Click to expand...

Norton alloy motorcycle fuel tanks - Tab Classics

TAB Classics had build a range of Norton alloy motorcycle fuel tanks in various styles to suit several Norton motorcycles.

tabclassics.com

HOME | EVAN WILCOX METAL

www.evanwilcoxmetal.com

Legendary-Motorcycles.com – Cafe Racer Parts, Aluminum Alloy Gas Tanks & Seats

legendary-motorcycles.com

Britstuff said:

Hi:

I am working to put a 1974 MKII interstate back on the road. I naively thought the petrol tank was ready to go. But on closer inspection, one of the 1/4" BSP threads, (for the petcocks) has been rather crudely repaired. Also, one of the front 5/16" - 24 mounting points has been "repaired" with a coach bolt and JB Weld - yuck! Hard to fathom what the previous owner was thinking, or maybe he thought petrol leaking onto the coils and exhaust was nothing to worry about? Anyway, looking at Fast Eddies recent post entitled: "Interstate time" - I am firstly in awe of the skill / craftsmanship and am also reminded that my tank, with time and effort, could be repaired. But..... maybe I could invest in something a bit more exotic instead????

I am wondering if there are other tank options out there that I might want to consider? The interstate tank is a tad wide. A roadster tank is too small for my liking, plus I like the plush interstate seat. Is there something out there the same length as an interstate tank, but a little more narrow to the rear? I also have a 1962 650SS with a standard tank, I find that to be the perfect size, i.e. not too narrow and not too wide. I see Norvil offers a 3.5 gallon aluminium tank which looks a bit like a production race tank? Can anyone make any other exotic tank recommendations? I'm not interested in indian made tanks - too many horror stories. But I'm wondering if there is anyone left in the U.S.A. / Europe who still makes alternative tank options?

Thank you!

James

Click to expand...

Britstuff said:

Thank you all for your very helpful replies.....

Hi Gortnipper:

Gorgeous looking bike!

Did you get your lyta style tank from Tab Classics? If so does it fit well, are you happy with it, etc? Tab Classics appears to have the best options I have seen so far.

Cheers,

James

Click to expand...

worntorn said:

I made a Commando tank with knee indents. The shape is sort of borrowed from a Thruxton R, but those are only 14.5 L whereas this tank is 22 litres, just a bit less than the Interstate.
View attachment 104634View attachment 104635

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worntorn said:

A friend in Norway got me started on the metal shaping without explaining that it is addictive. Probably much the same as knitting. Those folks are all addicts too!

Glen

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Britstuff said:

Thank you all for your very helpful replies.....

Hi Gortnipper:

Gorgeous looking bike!

Did you get your lyta style tank from Tab Classics? If so does it fit well, are you happy with it, etc? Tab Classics appears to have the best options I have seen so far.

Cheers,

James

Click to expand...

worntorn said:

I made a Commando tank with knee indents. The shape is sort of borrowed from a Thruxton R, but those are only 14.5 L whereas this tank is 22 litres, just a bit less than the Interstate.
View attachment 104634View attachment 104635

Click to expand...

Britstuff said:

Hi Mike:

Thank you for the tip regarding Legendary motorcycles. Nice, but I would have to sell the kids for medical experiments to raise that kind of cash.

Tab classics are certainly cheaper, but of course maybe there is a reason why.

Anyone out there had any experience with Tab Classics alloy tanks?

Cheers,

James

Click to expand...

worntorn said:

Not great. That was a lever that I made up using a raw blank from RGM.
Since then I contacted Roger and sent him a photo of that area.
He has stock of a great many different Norton gear levers. Quite a few of the lightweight ones are of his own design.
He sent me one in a forged al. alloy. It's his own design and it looks like it will work.

Glen

Click to expand...

worntorn said:

I made a Commando tank with knee indents. The shape is sort of borrowed from a Thruxton R, but those are only 14.5 L whereas this tank is 22 litres, just a bit less than the Interstate.
View attachment 104634View attachment 104635

Click to expand...