Norton 961 Alloy Tank

Jon

Jon

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Jan 25, 2022
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The cat is out of the bag....
So I'm real proud to tell that my bike is currently with TAB Classics who are prototyping an alloy tank for the Norton 961.
They've been makin tanks for fifty years - totally UK hand built, utterly right and proper - just as it should be!
I got my 961 August 2021 and I'd called Richard at TAB not long after getting the bike, being concerned that 'Ethanol' will transform my plastic tank into a 'Salvador Dali' ..!
Richard told me he already had a tank from a generous source but after two years of lockdowns and stuff he still needed a bike to complete the base and 'prove' the fit etc.
Well, feint heart never won that fair lady so, If I wanted one (which I do) I felt duty bound to 'do my bit'.
Now I'm kinda feelin like an expectant father, but its actually more than that because I know there are possibly one or two 961 owners that will also want one.
In the meantime, I'm pacing up and down coz I don't have my beautiful bike in my workshop - but I know its in good and capable hands.
I do hope you're reading this Richard ...! :cool:
 

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Wow, great news, finally will have an alloy tank available to 961 owners.
If you are in contact with TAB Classics, please tell them to allow generous clearance in the base where the battery area is located.
Will the tank have a Le Mans cap or the traditional flush style?
 
Jon said:
The cat is out of the bag....
So I'm real proud to tell that my bike is currently with TAB Classics who are prototyping an alloy tank for the Norton 961.
They've been makin tanks for fifty years - totally UK hand built, utterly right and proper - just as it should be!
I got my 961 August 2021 and I'd called Richard at TAB not long after getting the bike, being concerned that 'Ethanol' will transform my plastic tank into a 'Salvador Dali' ..!
Richard told me he already had a tank from a generous source but after two years of lockdowns and stuff he still needed a bike to complete the base and 'prove' the fit etc.
Well, feint heart never won that fair lady so, If I wanted one (which I do) I felt duty bound to 'do my bit'.
Now I'm kinda feelin like an expectant father, but its actually more than that because I know there are possibly one or two 961 owners that will also want one.
In the meantime, I'm pacing up and down coz I don't have my beautiful bike in my workshop - but I know its in good and capable hands.
I do hope you're reading this Richard ...! :cool:
Click to expand...
Well I am reading this and it is a great idea. So after yours is finished we can order one !
 
Richard Phelps has two tanks as a model since nearly two years from Ollie.
The bike is only used for fittment.
I hope it will be true in short time
 
Jon said:
The cat is out of the bag....
So I'm real proud to tell that my bike is currently with TAB Classics who are prototyping an alloy tank for the Norton 961.
They've been makin tanks for fifty years - totally UK hand built, utterly right and proper - just as it should be!
I got my 961 August 2021 and I'd called Richard at TAB not long after getting the bike, being concerned that 'Ethanol' will transform my plastic tank into a 'Salvador Dali' ..!
Richard told me he already had a tank from a generous source but after two years of lockdowns and stuff he still needed a bike to complete the base and 'prove' the fit etc.
Well, feint heart never won that fair lady so, If I wanted one (which I do) I felt duty bound to 'do my bit'.
Now I'm kinda feelin like an expectant father, but its actually more than that because I know there are possibly one or two 961 owners that will also want one.
In the meantime, I'm pacing up and down coz I don't have my beautiful bike in my workshop - but I know its in good and capable hands.
I do hope you're reading this Richard ...! :cool:
Click to expand...
5 gallons please .
 
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For the record ... I'll likely choose the polished tank and Richard tells me the 2.5" Monza cap will be appropriate.
And the plan is that once TAB have proved fitting and built a tank, the order book will be opened. Yeah! :)
You'll all be first to see the finished job of course, which might not be too long now.
I'm obviously excited and also delighted to be involved in this project.
And, 'Pantone' has mentioned Ollie as the tank provider - we wouldn't be where we are without Ollie!
 
If I was making an alloy tank for the 961 it would be a wee bit wider in the knee indent area and a wee bit narrower up front.
It could still hold lots of fuel, 5 or 6 US gallons.

Glen
 
worntorn said:
If I was making an alloy tank for the 961 it would be a wee bit wider in the knee indent area and a wee bit narrower up front.
It could still hold lots of fuel, 5 or 6 US gallons.

Glen
Click to expand...
I agree.
I always thought the tank a bit too narrow in the rear section.
It is difficult to bring the knees into contact with the rear indent while bent forward on a CR model.
Also, I have long legs so my knees go beyond the indent into the main section of the tank.
So I would move the indent further forward by 2 inches.
But lets face it, personal preferences aside, just getting an actual alloy tank replacement option is a real plus.
 
Definitely agree about the ridiculously narrow rear part. Given how wide apart the foot pegs are, I defy anyone to comfortably utilise that narrow portion of tank. Making it wider here would improve the looks and add fuel.

More space around the battery is also a very good call, especially with conductive alloominum…
 
And how about a nice stainless/leather strap down the tank? (Ducking head rapidly below the parapet...).

IMHO I love a polished alloy tank on a bike with a bit of a home made racer/ modded cafe racer vibe going on like the Domi but think the 961CR has a slightly more classy look to it and it would rather clash with the painted airbox/tail. If, like mine, you have removed the airbox then a polished tank with painted/lined panels on the side would butter the toast on both sides....

And Nigel - maybe I'm deformed from years of cycling and horse riding and a Neanderthal lineage but I do actually find the waisting on the tank really comfortable.
 
Clive said:
And how about a nice stainless/leather strap down the tank? (Ducking head rapidly below the parapet...).

IMHO I love a polished alloy tank on a bike with a bit of a home made racer/ modded cafe racer vibe going on like the Domi but think the 961CR has a slightly more classy look to it and it would rather clash with the painted airbox/tail. If, like mine, you have removed the airbox then a polished tank with painted/lined panels on the side would butter the toast on both sides....

And Nigel - maybe I'm deformed from years of cycling and horse riding and a Neanderthal lineage but I do actually find the waisting on the tank really comfortable.
Click to expand...
So YOU‘RE the guy it was designed for !!
 
Clive said:
And how about a nice stainless/leather strap down the tank? (Ducking head rapidly below the parapet...).

IMHO I love a polished alloy tank on a bike with a bit of a home made racer/ modded cafe racer vibe going on like the Domi but think the 961CR has a slightly more classy look to it and it would rather clash with the painted airbox/tail. If, like mine, you have removed the airbox then a polished tank with painted/lined panels on the side would butter the toast on both sides....

And Nigel - maybe I'm deformed from years of cycling and horse riding and a Neanderthal lineage but I do actually find the waisting on the tank really comfortable.
Click to expand...
Have to agree, but from a different perspective - I like the look of that thin accentuated waist! It’s the key part of the bikes beutiful lines! Don’t know about you but I‘m moving around the bike, especially when hustling a little, I’m not really gripping the tank with my knees (even lightly). Guess we all have different riding styles.
 
Jon said:
Why stop there ..?
Click to expand...
I'm all for 6 Gallons , I take long rides and finding fuel is always on my mind. The 961 can be ridden for long distances at moderate speeds (60 to 75mph) .
 
My thinking would be thus:
I’d leave the front of the tank design alone.
I’d also leave it narrow where it meets the seat.
But the transition between those two would NOT be the big step as current, it would be a much more gradual angle with a little artistic license required to blend in to the scalloped shape.
 
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