petrol tank

mcmarvelous · Sep 20, 2009

Silly question time.

My roadster tank has developed a leak and i got hold of an interstate tank and seat. What side is the reserve (as you sit on the bike).

The roadster tank is leaking from the left hand front stud mounting, how is this repaired, and will it need a respray (heat bubbling the paint).
I won't be doing it myself, the repair quote i got seems to render it scrap, despite it looking fine, if it needs a respray it will be around £250 although the guys work is excellent.

L.A.B. · Sep 20, 2009

mcmarvelous said:
What side is the reserve (as you sit on the bike).

= The side that has the reserve tap (the tap with no standpipe) which could be on either side?

79x100 · Sep 20, 2009

The reserve side is up to you.

A repairable steel Roadster tank is never 'scrap' and a tatty one could well cost you £250. A repaired and repainted one for that price is very much an economic proposition.

L.A.B. · Sep 20, 2009

mcmarvelous said:
the repair quote i got seems to render it scrap, despite it looking fine, if it needs a respray it will be around £250 although the guys work is excellent.

It can be soldered, welded or brazed? My Roadster tank was quite badly spit around both mountings and I brazed it, because I didn't have the welding kit, so I had to repaint it, but I would think a welder working in short bursts (with a MIG or TIG set?) would be able to repair it without the heat reaching the paintwork on the outside of the tank if he was careful enough?

mcmarvelous · Sep 20, 2009

L.A.B. said:
mcmarvelous said:

What side is the reserve (as you sit on the bike).

Click to expand...

= The side that has the reserve tap (the tap with no standpipe) which could be on either side?

I shall check in the morning, nice not filling up every 2 days though!

Doesn't look as good in my view with the big tank but it fits me better and the bike has been great since I got the clutch sorted out this year. The plates were not engaging properly, with high spots on the plates, plus the pushrod seal thing and a new oil seal, the bike is tranformed. The rewire and pazon has made it a first kick starter (still need the sprag thingy sorting) and the single carbis nearly there.
I like the bike now...
Just read your reply LAiB and will investigate this week

Flo · Sep 20, 2009

I have my reserve on the left side, nearside ( in Britain). Doesn't really matter though. We have two reserves, one is switching the reserve tap on, & the second is tipping the bike over towards the reserve side & shaking the petrol over that was left from the main tap side. Dunnit many times.
Get that tank repaired or sell it to me.

L.A.B. · Sep 20, 2009

Originally, the reserve tap was on the right side, and there was normally a small 'Reserve' sticker on the tank just above it.

Around 1974/75, the taps were swapped over, so reserve was on the left side, because of impending US legislation maybe, or just because the majority of owners preferred them that way?

BillT · Sep 20, 2009

L.A.B. said:
Originally, the reserve tap was on the right side, and there was normally a small 'Reserve' sticker on the tank just above it.

Around 1974/75, the taps were swapped over, so reserve was on the left side, because of impending US legislation maybe, or just because the majority of owners preferred them that way?

It makes sense for the reserve tap to be on the left, as one can open the valve while keeping the right hand on the throttle.

I have my reserve on the right, because I was told this is correct for '73, and have learned to open the tap with my left hand. I also like the fact that I can reach down and close the main tap as I reach my destination, then reach down again and shut the ignition once I park.

Cookie · Sep 20, 2009

You might be able to have it repaired a bit cheaper if you do some legwork. As mentioned a good welder can damage very little and a touch up guy can match paint.
Most dealers know a touch up person and a dent guy. New cars and used cars often have slight damage and a good touch up guy can mix and match even faded paint.
This is my 1976 Goldwing LTD being touched up and as you can see he has matched the original paint perfectly. He also did the side shelter completely on one side and on a classic bike with original paint you want a good job.

splatt · Sep 20, 2009

BillT said:
It makes sense for the reserve tap to be on the left, as one can open the valve while keeping the right hand on the throttle

Ithink its already out of gas, more throttle ain't going to fix it.My main is on the same side as my key,left when sitting on bike.

MarshalNorton · Sep 21, 2009

Re: petrol tank PETCOCK SIDE

1972 ROADSTER RESERVE ON RIGHT SIDE WHILE SITTING ON BIKE.
A RESERVE STICKER ON TANK ABOVE PETCOCK.
MY 73 BONNEY HAD THE RESERVE ON THE LEFT SIDE AS SEATED ON BIKE.
GUESS THEY CHANGED OVER BETWEEN 72 AND 73 MAYBE WHEN THEY BECAME NVT?

petrol tank

mcmarvelous

L.A.B.

Moderator

79x100

L.A.B.

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mcmarvelous

Flo

L.A.B.

Moderator

BillT

Cookie

splatt

MarshalNorton

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