JPN Interstate Tank?

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Tuonocommando

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Hello to fellow Commando owners,

I recently acquired a steel JPN Interstate tank after looking for a while to replace my MKIII Interpol tank (similar to an Interstate tank).

JPN Interstate Tank?


JPN Interstate Tank?


My intention was to get it re-sprayed black but on closer inspection it looks like an original factory paint which is a little confusing as the records show that Norton never made JPN coloured Interstate (only Roadster) tanks! As the paintwork is in reasonable condition with a few nicks (showing only primer not another colour) I’d hate to re-spray over what might be a factory special.

I’ve seen on the web another JPN Interstate but would be interested if anybody knows if Norton ever originally did any Interstate tanks in JPN colours.

Thanks,
Sean
 
Tuonocommando said:
Now with photos!

JPN Interstate Tank?


JPN Interstate Tank?
Click to expand...
It looks pretty good. Years ago I had my '75 Roadster tank, same colors, "touched up" and clear coated by someone who was really good at painting. I would try to keep it as original as possible. I have never seen an Interstate tank like yours.

MF
 
Tuonocommando said:
Hello to fellow Commando owners,

I recently acquired a steel JPN Interstate tank after looking for a while to replace my MKIII Interpol tank (similar to an Interstate tank).


My intention was to get it re-sprayed black but on closer inspection it looks like an original factory paint which is a little confusing as the records show that Norton never made JPN coloured Interstate (only Roadster) tanks! As the paintwork is in reasonable condition with a few nicks (showing only primer not another colour) I’d hate to re-spray over what might be a factory special.

I’ve seen on the web another JPN Interstate but would be interested if anybody knows if Norton ever originally did any Interstate tanks in JPN colours.

Thanks,
Sean
Click to expand...


A few ago years ago I had a very, very respectable person that was a "in the old days" Norton employee give some advise on original paintwork. It was wrong. The moral of the story, be very careful on what you do with your newly found tank,(or anything else that might be original) as it might be something.
 
I've never seen an Interstate painted like that. Also looking at the picture of the underside it looks like there is white paint on the rubbers. If it was original there wouldn't be any paint on them as they were fitted after painting.

Ian
 
Yes, I also spotted the overspray on the rubbers. I pealed back both rubbers and found white paint underneath - also scratched the paint and only found primer.
 
I went over my tank with 2K clear to make it "gasoline proof." I had recently painted it with duplicolor clear which is not gasoline proof. I was worried that the 2K (epoxy 2 part spray paint in a rattle can) would wrinkle the paint that was on there but it didn't touch it. The 2 part rattle can stuff is available on the internet at about $22 per can and the "spot" version dries a bit faster than the regular. If you were willing to do it yourself I would recommend wet sanding with 2000 grit or so and then shoot it with the 2K clear. (A test could be done on the bottom of the tank to make sure it doesn't mess the paint up.)
Dan.
Eastwood now sells their own version of these 2 part rattle can paints.
 
I've got several photos of Interstates and even Fastbacks in the JPN paint scheme.
The blurb that was with them usually mentioned being repainted like that.
They all seem a bit different, which you'd expect if someone just dreamed up that scheme for their bike...

If its got primer under the paint, its been my experience that factory paint didn't actually use primer.
Being clean new raw steel, they just applied color directly onto clean steel.

Have you established what type of paint this white may be ?
Lacquer, enamel, 2 pak etc ?
The black&gold pinstriped interstate tank and sidecover I have in original factory paint are rather thinly applied,
I think in acrylic lacquer. Paint names seem to vary around the world, I think this equates to Krylon in some parts...
Your white tank looks rather better stuff, so done later ?

The foam pads up in the tunnel there being white is a sure sign its been repainted.
They are a bit difficult to remove cleanly, and been left there while painted.

Looks good, with a wax and polish its good to go as is.
With a careful touchup of a few paint chips underneath...
 
My guess is that it is not a factory job. But that's not the point is it? You just bought a used tank to paint black...

But I'd say don't do it... that tank looks fabulous. If it were mine, I'd keep it and use it as it is.
 
Put it with a Fastback tail piece painted the same way and you'll have a one of a kind "Interback."
Dan.
 
Does the Interstate tank hang down any lower or is it just wider and bigger in other areas?
 
No it doesn't hang down any more than the Roadster tank, height adjustable to a certain extent by use of the thick rubber mounting washers.
sam
 
Thanks for all the feedback and advice.

I now believe the tank was repainted and not a factory special. I had a Roadster tank I purchased new in 1978 and subsequently crashed (don’t ask! :( ), which after careful inspection as Rohan suggested had no primer and only a thin layer of paint. The JPN tank has a white primer and a reasonable deep layer of top coat. On pealing back the rubbers, there’s only primer - strange you’d prime, stick the rubbers on then apply a topcoat but who knows! :?

I’ve also gown fond of the colour so now keeping it as is after a bit of T&C and will be getting some Roadster side panels painted in the same colour – not so much of a ‘Faststate’ or ‘Interback’ but perhaps a ‘Interster’ or ‘Roadstate’. :)

In reply to Jseng1 I don’t believe the Interstate tank hangs any lower than a Roadster, just longer and wider.
 
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