new commando fuel tank

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Powereng03

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http://www.burtonbikebits.net/Tanks.htm

I was wondering if any of you guys over in England have any experience with the tanks from Burton. Are they good, and actually made in england as it states on the top of the page? I am interested in ordering the steel/painted tank for my 74 commando roadster and was wordering if these were any good or not?? any info would be appreciated, or if anyone knows of another steel tank distribuitor/seller out there that I could have a look at. Thanks a lot guys.

Darrell
 
It's all in the small print. It says fibreglass & alloy tanks made in england, which implies the steel ones aren't. I'm pretty sure they are the ones made in India or Pakistan. They recommend sealing them before use which wouldn't fill me with much confidence but if it's all that's available what can you do. I've considered buying one as I have a fibreglass tank that I've done with sealer but who knows if it will work or how long it will last. I only put fuel in it when I'm going out on bike & drain it when I get home to try & eek out it's life. Interstate used ones are rare & expensive.

I understand Andover Norton do new Roadster tanks. I'd have faith in them.

Ian
 
OK but the question then is "who has actually seen and touched an AN tank?"
Reputed to be made in N.Ireland I believe? Even if the vendor offers "satisfaction"
the return post to the old country is significant. It is as if you are being told
by a store owner "if you wish me to put the tank on the counter for
examination, that will cost you a hundred bucks". No, I don't blame this on
the vendor, I realize it is just the cost of dealing off shore.
The whole tank thing is such a big question, with really big numbers involved,
that Im surprised Mr. AN hasnt held forth. If his stuff is good, suspect Id be
in a long line placing orders.
Speak oh Mr Andover Norton, speak! :-)
 
Onder said:
OK but the question then is "who has actually seen and touched an AN tank?"
Reputed to be made in N.Ireland I believe? Even if the vendor offers "satisfaction"
the return post to the old country is significant. It is as if you are being told
by a store owner "if you wish me to put the tank on the counter for
examination, that will cost you a hundred bucks". No, I don't blame this on
the vendor, I realize it is just the cost of dealing off shore.
The whole tank thing is such a big question, with really big numbers involved,
that Im surprised Mr. AN hasnt held forth. If his stuff is good, suspect Id be
in a long line placing orders.
Speak oh Mr Andover Norton, speak! :-)
Click to expand...

http://www.nortonmotors.de/ANIL/Norton% ... 028&Part=2

£260

Bare. Seems like a great deal. Almost $800 from Old Britts.
 
I bought the steel tank from Burton. I am very happy with the guage of the metal and the shape is very good. I was assured by them that it was not from India or Paki. The inside needed to be cleaned so why not line it? I lined my orginal BSA tank 20 years ago and have not had any issues. But then again we did not have corn gas back then. I did have to do some futzing around to get the ghas cap to fit up. The guy who painted it ,who does many classic bikes, said it was one of the better repro tanks he has seen. I am getting it back from him this week.
 
Thanks for the info. make sure you take some pic's of the tank when you get it back and post them for us to see.

Also, how much did it cost you to have it shipped from england?
 
They did not break out the price of shipping in the invoice sent. The best I can remember it was around 30 pounds that includes all the customs paperwork and costs. The most impressive part was from the day I gave them my credit card number to when it arrived was 8 days. I do purchasing for our company and we have vendors that can't get a shipment from Europe to the US by air in less than 30 days.
 
boz said:
I bought the steel tank from Burton. I am very happy with the guage of the metal and the shape is very good. I was assured by them that it was not from India or Paki. The inside needed to be cleaned so why not line it? I lined my orginal BSA tank 20 years ago and have not had any issues. But then again we did not have corn gas back then. I did have to do some futzing around to get the ghas cap to fit up. The guy who painted it ,who does many classic bikes, said it was one of the better repro tanks he has seen. I am getting it back from him this week.
Click to expand...

Those are the only known sources for new steel tanks. I bet it came from India.
 
I just got an email from burton and they said that the batch of tanks that they have are from overseas, so probably India or paki.

Too bad that AN doesn't have an email contact to find out where they get theirs from!!!
 
Powereng03 said:
I just got an email from burton and they said that the batch of tanks that they have are from overseas, so probably India or paki.

Too bad that AN doesn't have an email contact to find out where they get theirs from!!!
Click to expand...

I'll reiterate again, so far we know that new steel tanks are sourced from India and Pakistan. No one has any evidence to the contrary. With prices in the £250 range it probably doesn't matter who you go with. But you've seen that a lot of dealers recommend pressure testing at the very least. Don't assume a new steel tank will be paint and go.

Hope that helps.
 
I sent them a message, and I did manage to find 1 origional steel tank off of a 71 roadster in California. I'm not sure if I can find one cheaper than this guy, but I will wait and see what else I can find. $1250 USD for tank and side covers painted and delivered. (my side covers).
 
Powereng03 said:
I sent them a message, and I did manage to find 1 origional steel tank off of a 71 roadster in California. I'm not sure if I can find one cheaper than this guy, but I will wait and see what else I can find. $1250 USD for tank and side covers painted and delivered. (my side covers).
Click to expand...

They had steel in 71?
 
new commando fuel tank


new commando fuel tank


This is what I have to deal with. I think I'm going to get the other tank and keep this one to tinker on.
 
Powereng03 said:
http://www.burtonbikebits.net/Tanks.htm

I was wondering if any of you guys over in England have any experience with the tanks from Burton. Are they good, and actually made in england as it states on the top of the page? I am interested in ordering the steel/painted tank for my 74 commando roadster and was wordering if these were any good or not?? any info would be appreciated, or if anyone knows of another steel tank distribuitor/seller out there that I could have a look at. Thanks a lot guys.

Darrell
Click to expand...
I'm from Switzerland. The English are less sensitive about ill fitting parts than the Continentals I think :? I've bought one from him: http://www.classicbritishmotorcycles.com/. It didn't fit my bike :cry: . 1. The Ceandess didn't fit without major modification on both the tank and the filler cap. 2. The mounting points aren't threaded deep enough. 3. The mounting points are out of alignment.
It wasn't cheap £415 raw without any painting. Yes it wasn't rusty but that's the only positive aspect.
Wait for the ones from Andover-Norton or buy a used one :P
Fritz
 
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