New source for steel Commando Roadster tanks

SquareHead · Mar 26, 2014

Hi All,

Just got off the phone with Randy Baxter, Baxter Cycles. They are now supplying new steel gas tanks for the Commando Roadster. They are being made in Taiwan, by Emgo. Randy says he really likes them and are much better quality than the tanks coming out of India. Here is a link:

http://www.baxtercycle.com/catalog_product_detail.asp?cat=5230-101809&product=1686041

I have no plans to purchase one at this time, but would like to hear from anyone who is able to see one in person.

Chris

850cmndo · Mar 26, 2014

Looks to have the "raised seam" at the front as my '73 has. Can't really blow up the pictures but said seam looks rough. Am I wrong here?

concours · Mar 26, 2014

Yaaay! A STAMPED bottom section rather than the cobbleddawgballz looking brazed and gas welded ones I've seen. BRAVO!

edgefinder · Mar 26, 2014

No doubt the outsides were stamped too. Being a new tank a good welder can purge the inside with argon to touch up the visable welds. I bet he runs out of them quickly.

850cmndo · Mar 26, 2014

Nah..The back looks bad as well. I'd appreciate some decent beads at that price..

B+Bogus · Mar 26, 2014

Tentatively optimistic - I'll get one in to see how it shapes up against the original, and will report back.
The photos are too small to make a judgement, but they've certainly put some effort into the dies.
Just need to wait until they come in to the UK.

850cmndo · Mar 26, 2014

Agreed.

chasbmw · Mar 26, 2014

I was at Ultimate bike paint in Keynsham Uk, and the owner showed me a brand new steel Roadster tank, that he was spraying, it looked good, the underside was a one piece moulding and the seams were fine.

But I didnt ask where the tank came from!

B+Bogus · Mar 26, 2014

chasbmw said:
I was at Ultimate bike paint in Keynsham Uk, and the owner showed me a brand new steel Roadster tank, that he was spraying, it looked good, the underside was a one piece moulding and the seams were fine.

But I didnt ask where the tank came from!

I'll find out tomorrow! :wink:

concours · Mar 27, 2014

check out the underside of this horrible lump: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-Repro ... 1367636843

gortnipper · Mar 27, 2014

concours said:
check out the underside of this horrible lump: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-Repro ... 1367636843

Wow. It comes pre-rusted!

concours · Mar 27, 2014

gortnipper said:
concours said:

check out the underside of this horrible lump: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-Repro ... 1367636843

Click to expand...

Wow. It comes pre-rusted!

I meant the extra weld joints due to their inability to form the bottom piece as original. :mrgreen:

Hortons Norton · Mar 27, 2014

I purchased one years ago that was made in Pakistan, It was covered with this type of tar inside and out. That thing was lucky to even get a spot in the garage, didn't even waste my time. But the one from Emgo looks pretty nice, wish I would have bought that one. :roll:

BA10BOON · Mar 28, 2014

chasbmw said:
I was at Ultimate bike paint in Keynsham Uk, and the owner showed me a brand new steel Roadster tank, that he was spraying, it looked good, the underside was a one piece moulding and the seams were fine.

But I didnt ask where the tank came from!

If it was new, then 99% sure it would be Indian as the Indian tanks are readily available on Fleabay, though the quality is hit and miss. I think most of the stamped 'Made in Pakistan' tanks, thankfully found their way into Mr Scrapyard.

lcrken · Mar 28, 2014

One of the local britbike shops (Steadfast Cycles in Santa Clarita, Calfironia) also carries the new Emgo tanks at $475 on ebay, and the pictures look much better than any of the low quality Indian tanks. I just called the shop, and they have them in stock, so I plan to head over there (it's a 45 minute drive from my house) as soon as possible, maybe tomorrow morning, and look at them. If they look as good in person as in the pics, I'll buy one, and post some pictures. I haven't been able to find a good used steel roadster tank for under $500, so the price looks reasonable to me.

Ken

SquareHead · Mar 28, 2014

Great, Ken, I hope to hear your report soon!

SquareHead · Mar 28, 2014

I heard Commando Specialties is also carrying tanks now. Does anyone have any information on these?

B+Bogus · Mar 28, 2014

I've just received notification of their imminent arrival here, so I've got one on order.
I suspect Ken will have photos up first though!

Now Andover have got sidepanels in stock, I feel a new paint-set hoving it to view

So what would be the most popular colour?

swooshdave · Mar 28, 2014

B+Bogus said:
I've just received notification of their imminent arrival here, so I've got one on order.
I suspect Ken will have photos up first though!

Now Andover have got sidepanels in stock, I feel a new paint-set hoving it to view

So what would be the most popular colour?

jpn-paint-job-finished-t18949.html

B+Bogus · Mar 28, 2014

swooshdave said:
jpn-paint-job-finished-t18949.html

I actually came very close to doing my 850 in that scheme - as kid I regularly had my face pressed against the glass at T&D Motorcycles in Leyland gawping at the one on display which never sold, and I suspect the guy still has it.

But then I saw metalflake, and I got my Hendrix tapes out... man.

Far out, etc.

You may actually be right though - it's a killer scheme!

New source for steel Commando Roadster tanks

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