Rivet counter question about the Candy Apple colour scheme

Status
Not open for further replies.
Anglophile said:
Does the tank have internal baffles like the original? That would definitely add to the cost of a reproduction.
Click to expand...

No it doesn't have internal baffles. I agree this isn't great for such a big tank so I'm looking at something like this. More research required but bike racers here use similar stuff so I will check around.

http://www.ksrfoam.com/Gas_tank_foam_.php

I worked on the petrol cap last night and found as reported by others the pin hole size is to large. Some people have drilled out the cap to a larger diameter pin but this could damage the chrome so Ill have to think further.
 
L.A.B. said:
http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Brochures/1970/74NortonBrochure.pdf


http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Brochures/Brochures.htm
Click to expand...


Thanks very much for these. The brochure spreadsheet is most interesting.

However to my eyes I can convince myself that certainly one Interstate is red with silver but the other looks very gold to me. Almost impossible I think to tell unless you had the brochure in your hands.

Anyway this is all very helpful and I shall now go and convince myself that since the rest of the bike is hardly standard anyway I should just get on and paint it the colours I like !!!!
 
I do not have an interstate but I own an original, candy apple red, 74 roadster. It has silver pinstriping and the original seat logo is white .
 
Thanks for the full and frank reports on the tank. It is very helpful to others here.

And yes, I agree, paint it they way you like.
 
Took the tank out to my engineer mate at the weekend. He thought that it looked pretty well made as well.

He will now go through the mods so it will fits accurately and the taps don't look like aerofoils
 
I finally got my Indian Interstate tank finished
 

Attachments

  • Rivet counter question about the Candy Apple colour scheme
    Interstate tank.jpg
    116.5 KB · Views: 447
Brooking 850 said:
https://www.britishmotorcycleparts.co.nz/categories/seat-covers/seat-covers/norton-750-interstate-seat-cover-ribbed-top?gn=Seat Covers&gp=10

John these are in Auckland
Click to expand...


Thanks for that.

However I have a seat now. With gold lettering. One of these. Leightons make good quality seats.

https://www.rgmnorton.co.uk/buy/interstate-seat-with-square-cover-uk-made-steel-base_3076.htm

Fits really well with the tank. Ill see if I can find some photos I took when I was setting it up before painting the tank

Maybe it will fade with time but anyway you cant see it when your riding. :)
 
Last edited:
Checking the fit before painting
 

Attachments

  • Rivet counter question about the Candy Apple colour scheme
    Tank and seat 1.jpg
    197.6 KB · Views: 388
  • Rivet counter question about the Candy Apple colour scheme
    Tank and seat 21.jpg
    183 KB · Views: 413
rvich said:
Thanks for the full and frank reports on the tank. It is very helpful to others here.

I finally got around to finding and posting the tank photos as delivered
Click to expand...
 

Attachments

  • Rivet counter question about the Candy Apple colour scheme
    tank 4.jpg
    105.7 KB · Views: 376
  • Rivet counter question about the Candy Apple colour scheme
    tank 5.jpg
    108.2 KB · Views: 407
  • Rivet counter question about the Candy Apple colour scheme
    tank 6.jpg
    173.5 KB · Views: 388
  • Rivet counter question about the Candy Apple colour scheme
    tank 7.jpg
    120.2 KB · Views: 404
  • Rivet counter question about the Candy Apple colour scheme
    tank 8 with side panles and seat.jpg
    153.2 KB · Views: 382
johnm said:
I finally got my Indian Interstate tank finished
Click to expand...

I think you might know Tony.
I picked up the same Interstate tank some years ago and sold it to Tony taking it with me on my last trip to ALK, he seemed pleased with it and mailed me some pictures of it on his Commando in black.

Maybe it is luck of the draw with some of the made in India Roadster tanks but these 'pressed Interstate tanks seem fine and readily available for a good price.
It just goes to show you can not believe everything you read on the internet.
 
Time Warp said:
I think you might know Tony.
I picked up the same Interstate tank some years ago and sold it to Tony taking it with me on my last trip to ALK, he seemed pleased with it and mailed me some pictures of it on his Commando in black.

Maybe it is luck of the draw with some of the made in India Roadster tanks but these 'pressed Interstate tanks seem fine and readily available for a good price.
It just goes to show you can not believe everything you read on the internet.
Click to expand...

Certainly do. In fact I bought my 850 from him in about 1978 when he went overseas for a while. He still wants it back !! He was the second owner. I'm the third.

You can get Taiwanese Roadster tanks from several of the name suppliers and while they are more expensive the quality is controlled. Interstate tanks are more challenging and you need to do your research. Both Tony's and mine needed undercoat build up to get the surface perfect which cost $ but we got there in the end.

Back in the day when my 850 was my sole transport I managed to find a very practical larger home made tank but I always wanted a proper Interstate tank. A Roadster tank is pretty hopeless for real transport down here. Easy to run out between gas stations out in the country or at the weekend.

I got the the Interstate steel side covers from RGM and they came up fine with a bit of work too.

I'm approaching retirement and decided that I would spend the $ to make it the way I wanted it back when I was 25. So totally over spent but it keep me happy. I have the option of the candy apple Interstate or the Black and gold Roadster look !!
 

Attachments

  • Rivet counter question about the Candy Apple colour scheme
    850 Roadster.jpg
    198 KB · Views: 378
Last edited:
When is that ?. I'm doing a south island trip at present. In Wanaka tonight. On a DR 650.

The photo is on the Rainbow road. Not a Commando road !
 
Perhaps it will work this time
 

Attachments

  • Rivet counter question about the Candy Apple colour scheme
    20200301_124849.jpg
    283.8 KB · Views: 319
Very pretty, John.

When my Norton was only a year or two old I dropped a wrench on the tank and chipped the factory lacquer paint. I used that as an opportunity to learn the art and science of spray painting motorcycles, and have been doing that for some 40+ years now. Repainting my bike would only cost me the materials, which nowadays isn't cheap, but I'm grateful to have the skills and tools to do that. The last bike I painted (1951 Indian Scout) I only charged the guy $400.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top