Interstate tanks

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Fast Eddie

Fast Eddie

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Chaps,
Are all Interstate tanks the same?
And:
If not, what differences are there?
 
The first Interstate tanks were Glass fibre. Then there are two sizes of steel tanks that I know of. Others may chime in with more.
Martyn.
 
There are some 'Interpol' versions of the Interstate tank, these often have the filler cap further forward.

Interstate tanks


Glass fibre tanks have the filler cap hinge at the front, steel tanks have the hinge at the rear.
 
Thanks chaps, can anyone tell me the difference in sizes of the two sizes of steel tank?
 
According to the '72 brochure, the steel Interstate tank was 6-1/2 (US) gallons, fibreglass: 6-1/4 (US) gal .

'73 brochure = 7-1/4 (US) gal.
'74 brochure = 6-1/4 (US) gal.
'75 brochure = 6.3 (presumably US) gal.
'75 NVT 'PowerChoice' brochure = 5.25 (Imp) gal. 24 litres
'75 riders handbook = 5.25 Imp. gal, 6.3 US, 23.87 litres.,
 
I've heard one of the reason corbin quit making a "gunfighter style" seat to fit the interstate tanks is the tanks had a few different lengths and their seats were getting returned as improper fitting
 
Glass fibre tanks have the filler cap hinge at the front, steel tanks have the hinge at the rear.
Click to expand...

Ms Peel's definitely original issue [brought from son of Norton shop owner] '72 Combat fiberglass tank holds 6.5 us gal and cap hinge is at rear. There may be more variation in the mounting positions of IS tanks than the size of tank itself. The height of rear of tank on spine makes some difference if seat sits closer or not. I've altered Peel's IS tank frame plate mounts to allow it to sit 3/4" further back so tucks up tight to Old Brits IS over stuffed cafe' seat as a nice side effect beyond main reason to shift it back some.
 
Thanks chaps,

I was asking as I've just bought one off of fleabay, I can say it is not an Interpol tank, and it is steel. S all I'll need to do is determine its capacity and then I'll know what I've got.
 
Once you have fitted that I'm sure you won't go back. I had a Roadster tank a long time ago but got sick & tired of visiting petrol stations halfway through a ride.
 
Matchless said:
Once you have fitted that I'm sure you won't go back. I had a Roadster tank a long time ago but got sick & tired of visiting petrol stations halfway through a ride.
Click to expand...

Yes, well...

The tank arrived today... The couriers have managed to put 3 new dents in it! 1 right one the 'corner' where the top of the tank meets the side (looks tricky to fix that to me), 1 on the rear, and worst of all, it looks like something heavy has been stacked on top of it and pushed the filler neck (and surrounding area) in quite a bit (and given how flat this area is, it will be trick to make perfect I reckon).

So its going back, and I'm still on the looks out for a good un.

Anyone got one, preferably the bigger MK3 item...?
 
The MK3 interstate tanks are a bit smaller than the slightly earlier tanks, similar to the very early interstate tanks. My recollection is that the Interstate tank got very large and bulbous at one point, then was slimmed back down again by the time the MK 3 came along. This seems to line up with the info Les has provided.
I think the 5.25 Imp gallon MK3 version is a good looking tank for a big tank, but the previous larger ones (1973 according to Les's info) at 6 IMP gallons were a bit ungainly.
The 5 and a bit Imperial gallons of the MK3 or pre 73 interstate tank is plenty for even North American distances. At 60 MPG Imperial this gives a range of over 300 miles, which means it is time to look for fuel at 225-250 miles or so. I need an excuse to get off long before that!

Glen
 
Yep, My bike has the MK3 interstate tank on it. I also have a 73 interstate tank and it looks huge in comparison. Jim
 
Well I suppose that's why an untrained eye (like mine) can see an interstate one day and think the tank looks good... And see another on another day and think it looks ungainly!

I'll stick with trying to get a MK3 one, they seem to look the best of the two in my eyes. And I get the point about needing a stop before its capacity is out anyway!
 
mikegray660 said:
I've heard one of the reason corbin quit making a "gunfighter style" seat to fit the interstate tanks is the tanks had a few different lengths and their seats were getting returned as improper fitting
Click to expand...

I heard the same thing about corbin Interstate seats ... after I bought mine on fleabay :) However, I think I got lucky, as it fit perfect. :) ( see it on my avatar ? ) Not sure if my Interstate tank is a MK III or not, but my guess ... it is. Doesn't look "as big" as other Interstate gas tanks I have seen, to me anyway.
 
L.A.B. said:
There are some 'Interpol' versions of the Interstate tank, these often have the filler cap further forward.

Interstate tanks


Glass fibre tanks have the filler cap hinge at the front, steel tanks have the hinge at the rear.
Click to expand...
Interstate tanks


Fiberglass tank with filler cap hinge at the rear,
 
[/quote] I heard the same thing about corbin Interstate seats ... after I bought mine on fleabay :) However, I think I got lucky, as it fit perfect. :) ( see it on my avatar ? ) Not sure if my Interstate tank is a MK III or not, but my guess ... it is. Doesn't look "as big" as other Interstate gas tanks I have seen, to me anyway.[/quote]
The mkIII interstate tanks were a bit "fatter" in the headstock area and extra care must be taken when installing not to chip the paint.
 
Matt from CNW told me once that he has exclusive rights from Corbin to supply seats for Interstates. However, he had problems because he identified five different lengths of Interstate tanks with consequent fitting problems with the seats so he stopped supplying them.
 
Whereas a Japanese operator (or Chinese these days ?) would have supplied them in the 5 different lengths. :roll:
But then thats the advantage of a large volume operation....
 
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