PartsParadise Indian Roadster Tank

I'd posted in another thread that I'd ordered a Roadster Tank from PartsParadise in India. I know it's a bit of a gamble, but whats the alternatives nowadays? So heres how it has gone so far.

I'm in the UK, ordered the tank on Ebay at about 2200hrs local on Saturday evening(after a few beers for courage!).
The cost was £125 +£50 postage(I also bought a petrol cap at £16)
PartsParadise posted positive feedback on Sunday Morning.
The tank was marked as dispatched on Monday Morning.
It was delivered to my door this morning, Thursday at 1000hrs!
That is by anyones expectations, fantastic service.
I've taken a few pictures, but I don't they don't give a good impression of the actual tank. The Tank was very well packed and protected, within a sturdy cardboard box and many layers of polystyrene, bubblewrap and polythene sheeting. The Tank has no damage, and is coated in some sort of mineral oil to protect against corrosion. There is no surface rust on the exterior of the Tank. It feels heavy, but I've no steel tank to compare it against.

Packing:




The Tank. The marking on the surface is caused by the oil layer.




Compared to my Fibreglass tank:





On the Bike: Seemed to fit straight on, and dimensionally reaches as far back as the fibreglass one. Has sharper lines than the fibreglass one, but again the photo seems to make it look more pronounced than it is in the flesh. I guess this is the thing that will invite most comments......




Overall first impressions are that I am very pleased with the service, delivery and packing, and I am pleased by the standard and look of the Tank. This had worried me.

So I've to leak test it asap and then sort out painting, and I'll update this thread when I get some progress.

Really does not look too bad to my untrained eye. Does this seller go by partsparadise in E-bay? I've looked at a bunch of India made tanks there but none that come from a vendor by that name.
Thanks

I'm thinking it's partsparadise51

I wonder how the front will fit with the early fork stops? I've been thinking about this one for about a year now.

Dave
69S

MikeG said:

Really does not look too bad to my untrained eye. Does this seller go by partsparadise in E-bay? I've looked at a bunch of India made tanks there but none that come from a vendor by that name.
Thanks

Click to expand...

Yes its partsparadise51, specifically

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290923430637?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Looks pretty good to me, I would use it. One of the best copies I've seen with my "untrained eye" as well.

Been there done that, except mine was from Burton's bike bits. Make sure to dunk it so you can check the pinchweld over real good. Mine had several small leaks there.

Cheers

I have also purchased a roadster tank from paradise parts very happy with all parts of purchase, prompt delivery and very happy with product,I also compared it to one of my roadster tanks the original steel tanks are different in shape to an original fiberglass one,I think this reproduction is pretty close to my original steel one,I will as a precaution pressure test it and will put a sealer in also(carefull here paint tank before sealer applied as heated paint booths can cause problems with some sealers)
I also had the misfortune to buy another tank (before this one) also from india(but not from paradise),cost me the same price but this one is a different story its a piece of junk,has a built in twist and is a different shape to original tanks,read paradise parts feedback.

I would VERY strongly advise to NOT use any brand of sealer. instead have a good welder properly fix the leaks. with todays fuels using sealers are asking for future trouble's.

mark375850 said:

and will put a sealer in also

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I agree with Windy. Looks like a case for the oxy/acty rig and some brazing rod.

Not only today's fuel, but who knows what tomorrow's fuel will bring.

JimC said:

I agree with Windy. Looks like a case for the oxy/acty rig and some brazing rod.

Not only today's fuel, but who knows what tomorrow's fuel will bring.

Click to expand...

You are answering my questions before I even ask, lol.
The reason I'm here with the Steel tank is due to the condition of the Blue fibreglass one in the pictures. I bought this on Ebay new about 7+ years ago, twas make in the UK by ADR mouldings. As a precaution, I researched and applied a tank sealer appropriate for fibreglass tanks, then the tank got stored away until a year ago when i wanted to rebuild the Norton. Turns out, of course that the Tank sealer applied will not withstand the Ethanol in UK petrol now, and the tank sealeant supplier has said that any solvent used to remove the sealant will also attack the fibreglass, so here I am. The only action seems to be cutting the tank open and physically removing the sealant back to the fibreglass, and rebuilding the tank, which I cannot do.

So, your comment about tomorrows fuel is one I thought about too. Lots of companies marketing and selling sealants, but they don't know what lies in the future either.

Would the correct way to fix any leaks be by Brazing then, or would soldering be ok?

Old Bloke said:

JimC said:

I agree with Windy. Looks like a case for the oxy/acty rig and some brazing rod.

Not only today's fuel, but who knows what tomorrow's fuel will bring.

Click to expand...

You are answering my questions before I even ask, lol.
The reason I'm here with the Steel tank is due to the condition of the Blue fibreglass one in the pictures. I bought this on Ebay new about 7+ years ago, twas make in the UK by ADR mouldings. As a precaution, I researched and applied a tank sealer appropriate for fibreglass tanks, then the tank got stored away until a year ago when i wanted to rebuild the Norton. Turns out, of course that the Tank sealer applied will not withstand the Ethanol in UK petrol now, and the tank sealeant supplier has said that any solvent used to remove the sealant will also attack the fibreglass, so here I am. The only action seems to be cutting the tank open and physically removing the sealant back to the fibreglass, and rebuilding the tank, which I cannot do.

So, your comment about tomorrows fuel is one I thought about too. Lots of companies marketing and selling sealants, but they don't know what lies in the future either.

Would the correct way to fix any leaks be by Brazing then, or would soldering be ok?

Click to expand...

This may shed some light on the fibreglass tank sealant issue:
http://www.tankcareproducts.co.uk/Commo ... ions!.html

IMHO brazing is the only answer.

Whereabouts in the NW are you?

the best would be to find a good tig welder.

Old Bloke said:

Would the correct way to fix any leaks be by Brazing then, or would soldering be ok?

Click to expand...

B+Bogus said:

Old Bloke said:

JimC said:

I agree with Windy. Looks like a case for the oxy/acty rig and some brazing rod.

Not only today's fuel, but who knows what tomorrow's fuel will bring.

Click to expand...

You are answering my questions before I even ask, lol.
The reason I'm here with the Steel tank is due to the condition of the Blue fibreglass one in the pictures. I bought this on Ebay new about 7+ years ago, twas make in the UK by ADR mouldings. As a precaution, I researched and applied a tank sealer appropriate for fibreglass tanks, then the tank got stored away until a year ago when i wanted to rebuild the Norton. Turns out, of course that the Tank sealer applied will not withstand the Ethanol in UK petrol now, and the tank sealeant supplier has said that any solvent used to remove the sealant will also attack the fibreglass, so here I am. The only action seems to be cutting the tank open and physically removing the sealant back to the fibreglass, and rebuilding the tank, which I cannot do.

So, your comment about tomorrows fuel is one I thought about too. Lots of companies marketing and selling sealants, but they don't know what lies in the future either.

Would the correct way to fix any leaks be by Brazing then, or would soldering be ok?

Click to expand...

This may shed some light on the fibreglass tank sealant issue:
http://www.tankcareproducts.co.uk/Commo ... ions!.html

IMHO brazing is the only answer.

Whereabouts in the NW are you?

Click to expand...

Mmm it was Tankcareproducts that supplied the original Tank sealer, and it was them that advised it was not feasible to remove it with solvents.

I'm near Lytham St Annes, do you have a recommendation for welders, assuming I find some leaks?

PM sent.

I've just done a tank with their stuff, but it had never been lined ore exposed to ethanol before, so I'm cautiously optimistic.

I am sure that their new sealant will be fine. I got caught out lining mine just before the Ethanol issues surfaced in the UK. Who knows though that the UK/EU Gov don't start allowing higher % of Ethanol in the fuel in the future. If there is money or political advantage to be gained, then you know the answer.

I still would AGAIN strongly advise against ANY sealer. It defeats the whole reason of the steel tank. If it leaks have it fixed with a proper weld job. the trouble we have in the US with ethanol fuel is the % is NOT reliable. we are at 10% BUT with the phase separation and it not staying in solution there has been as much as 25% found at some stations pumps. the EPA here has been talking of a hike to 15% so who knows where it will end. like I tell people corn is for eating or drinking NOT as a fuel.

Old Bloke said:

I am sure that their new sealant will be fine. I got caught out lining mine just before the Ethanol issues surfaced in the UK. Who knows though that the UK/EU Gov don't start allowing higher % of Ethanol in the fuel in the future. If there is money or political advantage to be gained, then you know the answer.

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But doesn't that ethanol attract water and make an unlined tank rust? Or keep it drained?

Dave
69S

'But doesn't that ethanol attract water and make an unlined tank rust? Or keep it drained?'


Exactly.

Snorton74 said:

'But doesn't that ethanol attract water and make an unlined tank rust? Or keep it drained?'


Exactly.

Click to expand...

+1

I spent quite a few hours last year de-rusting the inside of a Suzuki tank which had been left full of fuel - it was a real mess.

bill said:

I still would AGAIN strongly advise against ANY sealer. It defeats the whole reason of the steel tank. If it leaks have it fixed with a proper weld job. the trouble we have in the US with ethanol fuel is the % is NOT reliable. we are at 10% BUT with the phase separation and it not staying in solution there has been as much as 25% found at some stations pumps. the EPA here has been talking of a hike to 15% so who knows where it will end. like I tell people corn is for eating or drinking NOT as a fuel.

Old Bloke said:

I am sure that their new sealant will be fine. I got caught out lining mine just before the Ethanol issues surfaced in the UK. Who knows though that the UK/EU Gov don't start allowing higher % of Ethanol in the fuel in the future. If there is money or political advantage to be gained, then you know the answer.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Sorry Bill, that reply was meant against B+Bogus comment "I've just done a tank with their stuff, but it had never been lined ore exposed to ethanol before, so I'm cautiously optimistic."

My preference would be to leave the Steel tank unsealed if possible. I read about Phase separation before, and I'd be OK draining the Tank, but between what? Daily, between weekend rides, stored over winter etc what would be required?