Steel interstate tank

Hi there.
This is my first try at a post.
Has anyone got a aftermarket steel interstate fuel tank. I have seen them on the net made in India and can be supplied from the UK. You can buy them painted and pin stripped. The pin stripping looks correct with the two lines for a 1972. I am not interested in persisting with the fibreglass tank anymore. So i would like to know what the quality is like. Thanks Guys.

botts said:

Hi there.
This is my first try at a post.
Has anyone got a aftermarket steel interstate fuel tank. I have seen them on the net made in India and can be supplied from the UK. You can buy them painted and pin stripped. The pin stripping looks correct with the two lines for a 1972. I am not interested in persisting with the fibreglass tank anymore. So i would like to know what the quality is like. Thanks Guys.

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Welcome! Use the search function above, LOTS of info. Cheers!

Short answer is the quality control is iffy. If you must have, then dont get a painted one,
carefully test it for leaks before painting.
Since Ive been looking for a while for a steel whale tank, it will either be a used genuine
or a long wait for AN to decide to make some. Apparently they have roadster steel tanks
in the works so perhaps Interstate tanks will appear before my passing from the scene.

And, just to be awkward, a 72 would be a 750, and the 750's had a single thicker pinstripe, not the twin pinstripes that the 850 got.
But not everyone needs or wants something perfectly factory....

http://s30.photobucket.com/user/manurew ... t=2&page=1

Of course a week or so after buying this off partsparadise a Long Range Fastback tank came up locally for $268.
I seem to be cornering the market on tanks and SS700 head light buckets. :roll: :lol:

TW, you're not saying you were dissapointed with your partsparadise tank? I've been thinking about getting a Roadster one from them for nearly a year now, and I think others have been pleased. I'm just holding out because I know my early forks are going to hit the tank at the front. The price is certainly within reason.

Dave
69S

Time Warp, that interstate tank from India looks like they did a good job of copying. I have questioned the look of roadster tanks by them though. Too sharp of an edge where the indent for the knees is.

DogT said:

TW, you're not saying you were dissapointed with your partsparadise tank? I've been thinking about getting a Roadster one from them for nearly a year now, and I think others have been pleased. I'm just holding out because I know my early forks are going to hit the tank at the front. The price is certainly within reason.

Dave
69S

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motorson said:

Time Warp, that interstate tank from India looks like they did a good job of copying. I have questioned the look of roadster tanks by them though. Too sharp of an edge where the indent for the knees is.

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Dave,as a boilermaker/welder and someone who has made various hammer forms over the years I was surprised at what turned up,yes I am happy with it.
I think it was around $217 plus shipping ($70 something) so all in all a great buy,I had seen an original Interstate tank locally with nice paint for around $1300.
Of course a paint job on this one might be $500/$600 on top.
It is as Motorson says though,I have no original Interstate tank to compare shape and measurements to this one.

The eBay price was £150 but have seen what looks to be the same 'pressed tank for a lot more from other sellers and resellers so it pays to do some homework not forgetting the bodgy hand beaten tanks are in there also.
I see there are painted/unpainted Fastback tanks now in steel.
Was it Trident Sam who had first posted about being happy with the partsparadise Roadster tank,maybe another update is warranted.

I see the painted tanks in general on eBay but you wonder what is under the paint.

I don't know if I was the first to post about being happy with the Parts Paradise Roadster tank, but yes I'm very happy with it.
I pressure tested it and filled it with fuel when I received it all with no probs. Up to now I haven't been able to afford to paint it (and the side panels from the same place) my money has gone on my cafe racer T160, but before I do, I will check it all again, although I'm sure it will be ok.
sam

Look up my post called "Rattle can paint job" You'll find a little less than professional job that gets a lot of compliments. The finished version looks even better than the pics on that post since I went over the whole thing again with "K2" two part epoxy spray paint. The K2 stuff is super dangerous (if you breath it it will kill you.) and costs about $17 per can on the internet. It is 100% gas proof and is a very hard and nice clear coat.

I am not a body man and used JB Weld as the filler where nessesary. Especially on the fiberglass side covers that seem to always dish in a bit. I just filled the whole slight dish with JB Weld and smoothed it off flat with a paint stir stick. (Then sanded it of course.)

Thanks for the feedback guys.
I have now cut open the original glass interstate tank. Ground the inside of both top and bottom back clean. The local fibreglass guy can get resin that no pump gas will eat. So he will glass the insides and then rejoin the tank back together for me.Then ill prep and repaint the tank and side covers. Can anyone tell me if a 72 Australian interstate has one or two pinstripes on the tank. I think my bike is original and has two pinstripes.
thanks.

750's had one strip and 850's had the double strip.

I've had to bite the bullet, and ordered a plain steel Roadster tank from Parts paradise in India. £175 delivered.

I'm no natural gambler, so took a few beers before ordering! Ordered on Saturday night, Ebay says order dispatched today, so fingers crossed that it clears UK customs ok, and without too much duty, and that it's quality is ok :|

'72 Interstate tank - my interpretation