Tab 2 vs Donington Aluminum Gas Tanks differences

TonyA · Mar 17, 2023

Here are some photos of a TAB 2 and OEM Norton Aluminum tanks for visual comparison :

Tab 2 on the left

Tab 2 vs Donington Aluminum Gas Tanks differences

City Garage · Mar 17, 2023

Wow what a good-looking tank the TAB 2 is.

What was the import cost total for that?

Fast Eddie · Mar 18, 2023

They are both works of art. But IMHO the TAB just takes the win.

Stephen_Spencer · Mar 18, 2023

TonyA said:
Here are some photos of a TAB 2 and OEM Norton Aluminum tanks for visual comparison :

Tab 2 on the left

You were extremely lucky to get the TAB tank Tony. Mine was ‘next cab off the rank’, just needed welding, when tragedy struck! You have a bit of a precious work of art there - made by a true road racer and welding master-craftsman. I think only a few ended up being delivered - 2 or 3 maybe?

Significant profile differences between the two. I like both.

cliffa · Mar 18, 2023

Stephen_Spencer said:
You were extremely lucky to get the TAB tank Tony. Mine was ‘next cab off the rank’, just needed welding, when tragedy struck! You have a bit of a precious work of art there - made by a true road racer and welding master-craftsman. I think only a few ended up being delivered - 2 or 3 maybe?

Significant profile differences between the two. I like both.

Have TAB given you any update Stephen?

Stephen_Spencer · Mar 18, 2023

cliffa said:
Have TAB given you any update Stephen?

Haven’t asked for a few months Cliffa - somehow it still feels disrespectful. The last update stated that they are consentrating on their standard tank range, but may return to the 961 tank in the future. I didn’t enquire further. I understood that they were planning to train another family member to weld the Norton tank but I’m not sure. Stu knows more - I think he’s stayed in contact.

I would still love to purchase one, although I’m still faffing around trying to work out how to fit the Thruxton fairing

!

TonyA · Mar 18, 2023

City Garage said:
Wow what a good-looking tank the TAB 2 is.

What was the import cost total for that?

1200 pounds tank , 110 pounds s+h , no duty fees this one seemed to fly under the radar .

TonyA · Mar 18, 2023

Stephen_Spencer said:
You were extremely lucky to get the TAB tank Tony. Mine was ‘next cab off the rank’, just needed welding, when tragedy struck! You have a bit of a precious work of art there - made by a true road racer and welding master-craftsman. I think only a few ended up being delivered - 2 or 3 maybe?

Significant profile differences between the two. I like both.

Hello Stephen , Yes I was the fortunate number 3 . TAB 2 looks somewhat narrower and taller ? The placement of the gas cap should allow better filling ?

TonyA · Mar 18, 2023

Fast Eddie said:
They are both works of art. But IMHO the TAB just takes the win.

Hello FE , Can I ask why you think that ? Its like having two children , you want them both .

Fast Eddie · Mar 18, 2023

TonyA said:
Hello FE , Can I ask why you think that ? Its like having two children , you want them both .

IMHO the overall contours of the TAB are better. In comparison the Norton tank looks kind ‘squashed’.

And the view from the rear is far superior, the knee cutout shape and proportions are much improved on the TAB.

t ingermanson · Mar 18, 2023

Both my TAB 2 products have broken, cracked, or been poorly manufactured. After 1 year, the fuel tank had its tap weld crack (spilling not a small amount of fuel all over a hot motor!), the oil tank was unable to breathe from the start and wet sumped my motor until I replaced the breather, and after 6 years it also cracked along a deeply ground-down weld.

The parts were made from .060" sheet, instead of the more common .080".

To be fair, the parts were for an older bike, more prone to higher vibration.

Take all that for what it's worth. I have no personal vendetta against them, and they come off as nice people, but all my parts broke. When it's a fuel tank, the results can be catastrophic. They sure look nice though.

BritTwit · Mar 18, 2023

TonyA said:
Hello FE , Can I ask why you think that ? Its like having two children , you want them both .

Tony,

The TAB tank looks great.
I noticed in your photo that the TAB tank doesn't appear to have a rear tang to attach the tank in the rear.
Did I miss something?

VMI · Mar 18, 2023

I paid 966 pounds in 07/2021 including shipping. Looking at my bill from the TVS Norton shows no duty and can’t remember if I had to pay the shipper separately for duty, six months later it arrived at my front door. Number 0001 stamped on the under side

VMI · Mar 18, 2023

Sorry, order was placed in 2020 and just located a duty bill for $210 CDN

TonyA · Mar 18, 2023

BritTwit said:
Tony,

The TAB tank looks great.
I noticed in your photo that the TAB tank doesn't appear to have a rear tang to attach the tank in the rear.
Did I miss something?

Hi BritTwit , You have to purchase this rear rubber hanger from Norton or move it from your old tank. There are 2 threaded holes on the bottom of the tank this attaches to.

TonyA · Mar 18, 2023

Here are more shots of it and some other Ideas I have :

Holy disjointed motorcycle batman !

TonyA · Mar 18, 2023

TonyA said:
Hello Stephen , Yes I was the fortunate number 3 . TAB 2 looks somewhat narrower and taller ? The placement of the gas cap should allow better filling ?

I am mistaken ! Biker Bore has TAB tank #3 , mine must be 4 .

Stephen_Spencer · Mar 18, 2023

TonyA said:
Here are more shots of it and some other Ideas I have :

Holy disjointed motorcycle batman !

Hey Tony, the bike is looking ‘sweet’ although I’m not sure about the scallop and tank pads in red; that’s personal choice of course. Tank looks great! A good quality metallic effect/silver decal within the bounds of the pinstripe on the tail unit could look pretty awesome, to tie tank to tail without the airbox. My thoughts only.

No option for an ally tank for the 961 now it seems. No TAB tanks and Norton don’t list one either.

.

Stu Bodycote · Mar 19, 2023

Stephen_Spencer said:
Haven’t asked for a few months Cliffa - somehow it still feels disrespectful. The last update stated that they are consentrating on their standard tank range, but may return to the 961 tank in the future. I didn’t enquire further. I understood that they were planning to train another family member to weld the Norton tank but I’m not sure. Stu knows more - I think he’s stayed in contact.

I would still love to purchase one, although I’m still faffing around trying to work out how to fit the Thruxton fairing!

They actually hired a lad that Mark went to school with, and apparently he's taken to gas welding very well. They're concentrating on the old stuff for now, with no interest right now to start with the 961 tanks at this moment in time. I still have two of their tanks at mine, that came to me for trial fitting before final polishing and sending out. There were a few fitment areas that I noted on those for tweaking, but then the TT happened and as we know, Mark unfortunately lost his life. As soon as they give me an update, I'll let you all know.

TonyA · Mar 19, 2023

Stu Bodycote said:
They actually hired a lad that Mark went to school with, and apparently he's taken to gas welding very well. They're concentrating on the old stuff for now, with no interest right now to start with the 961 tanks at this moment in time. I still have two of their tanks at mine, that came to me for trial fitting before final polishing and sending out. There were a few fitment areas that I noted on those for tweaking, but then the TT happened and as we know, Mark unfortunately lost his life. As soon as they give me an update, I'll let you all know.

Hello Stu , Would it be helpful for those that want a Aluminum 961 tank , contact TAB 2 and when the list grows this may give them a reason to move forward again ?