Steel Roadster Tank @ Burton bits

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DogT

DogT

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I see Burton Bike Bits in UK has an unfinished steel roadster tank for £250.00 less reversed gas cap. That's $375USD plus shipping. It looks real good on their web page, but has anyone seen or much less bought or touched one? I am probably going to buy a 'S' type chain guard which they have at a decent price and can ask about it, but would like independent information if available. They seem to be making an effort to sell on the web and international more now.

Dave
69S
 
Hello Dave.

I have an 'S' type that modern fuel started to melt the tank so bought a Burton Bikes steel tank. It arrived with just a light protective coating and was nice and clean inside. Most importantly it is a good fit too. Of course you will need the later tank to frame bracket as there are no 'buttons' for the original rubber band fixing. I also purchased the monza type locking fuel cap which is also of high quaulity.

Mark.
 
That all looks like good news, the price of good steel tanks seems to be coming down from the stratosphere. Thanks both of you. I suppose I'll never find a tank with the hinge in front.

Dave
69S
 
I was getting ready to replace my glass Roadster tank. No problems yet, but..... All the cheaper steel tanks were made in Pakistan. I got to thinking about the terrorists holed up in Pakistan and our (U.S.) war in Afghanistan with them. Couldn't bring myself to buy one. Bought one of the aluminum ones from Waldridge, made in Canada. I'm not condemning anyone for buying the Pakistani tank, but I do believe supporting our troops is more than slapping a sticker on your vehicle proclaiming to do so.
 
I talked to Burton Bikes this AM (his PM) and he said their tanks are made in India.

As far as Pakistan, I worked with an American of Pakistani decent, his dad was born there and he was Muslim I am sure, I never asked, but if you didn't see him and talked to him, he was as American as any of us. I doubt if anyone making Roadster gas tanks have the time or inclination to be Taliban terrorists, terrorists are usually that way because they don't have a job.

I looked into the Walridge tank, but didn't like the way the cap mounted and the price is in the photosphere. I don't know where the Commando Specialties tanks are made, probably India too, but I'll find out. In the meanwhile, I'm using avgas in my glass tank. I know its a pain, but I can get avgas in 5 gallon jugs at the local airport about 20 miles away.

Whatever happened with that thread where some Indian guy wanted a pattern and was going to start producing steel tanks?

Dave
69S
 
Dave,

The Waldridge aluminum tank tank I bought was $395. They weren't shown on the website. I would caution you, they are not suitable for polishing. They need some work and then can be painted. I thought about changing the cap. I'm going to wait until I hit the lottery and order a tank from Evan Wilcox.

I'm not anti-Muslim or xenophobic in any way. Just pointing out the obvious.
 
Jim C,
Pakistan is the Coalition's biggest ally in the region, they have lost more people in this war than the Americans, British and other Nato members combined. I suspect that it is not the Taleban who are responsible for making Norton repro tanks but simple harworking people like you find in any country in the world. Perhaps keeping people like this in work would ultimately save more American lives!
 
I remember that price for the Walridge tank now, but I still don't like the gas cap arrangement. Did I read somewhere that the ethanol also reacts with AL? I realize steel has it's rusting issues too. No matter what tank, I think Caswell's is the deal.

I probably won't be using this bike a whole bunch, and for sure not from mid November to March/April. I will have to take care and drain the gas and keep it good and dry in any tank I use. I plan on bringing the whole bike inside the heated furnace room or at least my work room which is heated in the winter.

I wasn't thinking anyone was xenophobic, I just thought like Dave M that if they all had jobs they wouldn't have time for this Taliban nonsense and they would be exposed to the benefits of earning a living.

Dave
69S
 
" but I do believe supporting our troops is more than slapping a sticker on your vehicle proclaiming to do so." Well said! It's stylish in the US to "support our troops" nowadays (unlike the southeast asia effort some years ago) so folks have stickers. They don't actually DO anything to support troops, but they have stickers! ;)
 
DogT said:
That all looks like good news, the price of good steel tanks seems to be coming down from the stratosphere. Thanks both of you. I suppose I'll never find a tank with the hinge in front.

Dave
69S
Click to expand...

You should call British Cycle supply, I think they were the folks with one tank of foreign origin, with the hinge in the front. The filler neck stands too tall for stock, but the cap is oriented your way. I deleted the pictures they sent me or I'd post them.
 
I'll look into British Cycle, but I do hate those tall necked fillers and I want to keep the stock look. It reminds me of my John Deere 2020 exhaust flapper that sticks up above the muffler about 2'.

Dave
69S
 
DogT said:
I remember that price for the Walridge tank now, but I still don't like the gas cap arrangement. Did I read somewhere that the ethanol also reacts with AL? I realize steel has it's rusting issues too. No matter what tank, I think Caswell's is the deal.

Doesn't that put you near right back were you started from, gas reacting with fiberglass type tank material, if a new tank leaks send it back, if it doesn't fill it and use it.
Click to expand...
 
So when is someone going to start making tanks with the new plastics they use in cars and trucks? That's the best solution, but I don't see it coming down the road anytime soon.

Dave
69S
 
DogT said:
So when is someone going to start making tanks with the new plastics they use in cars and trucks? That's the best solution, but I don't see it coming down the road anytime soon.

Dave
69S
Click to expand...

I think they tried to do that with the Ducatis and it still ate the tanks. Maybe if the gas just had, I don't know, gas in it...
 
Doesn't that put you near right back were you started from, gas reacting with fiberglass type tank material, if a new tank leaks send it back, if it doesn't fill it and use it.
Click to expand...

There are thousands of boats with aluminum tanks burning ethanol with no problems. It would probably be a safe bet that an aluminum tank will outlast most of us Norton owners.
 
Not to harp on the "Support our Troops" cliche' but here are my comments from a 2 Iraq combat tours/1 Egypt Tour US Army Soldier.

1. We ask for nothing from anyone in the face of certain death.
2. Yes, hardened combat vets still deficate in thier breetches when IEDs go off right next to you...sorry, it is a fact! :shock:
3. Although it is awesome to see the resurgence of patriotism in the US nowadays.....next time you see a World War II, Korea, Vietnam veteran, Thank them!!! Their overall sacrifices far exceeded that of today's Soldier. Time to see some "Support the Vietnam/WWII/Korea Troops" bumper magnets!!!!

Finally, just know that it means ALOT to a Soldier or vet when people on the street say "thank you for your service to our country".

Ok, enough of that sort of talk....back to COMMANDOS!!! (hope I didnt highjack this thread).

Sergeant First Class Travis K. McClain
United States Army
2nd BN 130th Field Artillery "Redlegs!"
 
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