The best made steel interstate tank?

Gary · Jan 12, 2010

Hey, guys, sorry to ask, but I've been spending the last month trying to figure this out, visiting every site as I stumbled across them! To much, figure I'd JUST ASK!

"Who sells the BEST steel Interstate tank??"

I'd like it to sit side-by-side with my father's OEM and LOOK an exact replica.
And I ask because I've read posts of poorly made steel tanks.

Thanks, guys,
Gary

grandpaul · Jan 12, 2010

Indian are better than Pakistani from what I've read "here and there"...

Gary · Jan 12, 2010

On review, I realize my post cannot be answered, unless someone has purchased one from every dealer/fabricator. So... how's this?

**WOULD THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE purchased a steel interstate tank, please self-grade it on a scale of 100 for me, with the score of 100 being a replica tank virtually a 'clone' of the OEM tank?

What I'm looking for, is a tank that can sit next to my father's tank... and no-one here (an owner) be able to discern any diference.

Or at least as close as I can get. These things go for some serious money, so I'd just as soon get the best 'replica' one that I can get. And, of course, now waiting for spring to see if I can bring my Dad's Norton back to life. Alas, lack a tank...

rvich · Jan 12, 2010

I would call Norvil and talk to them about their tanks. They show both steel and alloy available on the web site and have a photo of the alloy tank. You can do a search on this forum for Norvil and get an idea of what people say about their products.

http://www.norvilmotorcycle.co.uk/

After you get it, let the rest of us know how it went!
Russ

pelican · Jan 12, 2010

Can always get a used one of ebay and paint it...

Diamondjet · Jan 12, 2010

Let's include the Roadster tanks in this thread even though a lot of the discussion will have to be subjective. I'm in the process of restoring my old tank using a stud gun and leading materials from Eastwoods supply. I need to stablize the interior prior to beginning and am planning on using the Por 15 products I received for a project I did on my BMW R100GS.

debby · Jan 12, 2010

pelican said:
Can always get a used one of ebay and paint it...

I tried that and didn't have very good luck:

Buyer Beware :shock: :evil:

Debby, the unlucky ebayer

grandpaul · Jan 12, 2010

debby said:
I tried that and didn't have very good luck
Debby, the unlucky ebayer

You need to cut open the bottom, straighten it out properly, thoroughly clean the interior, weld the botom back on, grind smooth the metal on the exterior, line the tank (Caswell), and then refinish it.

It's not a total loss if you turn it into lessons learned!

(insert happy face here)

pelican · Jan 12, 2010

Oh wow!!! Was it filled in with bondo or something? That's horrible :shock:

bpatton · Jan 12, 2010

Debbie,

That's a thing of beauty. It's hard to tell from the pictures, did someone try to braze or fill in places? I wouldn't trust it to hold gas. A decent tinman can fab the rear half of the side and top panels. It's what English Wheels are for. Try calling House of Kolor, they've been known to resurrect tanks worse than yours. It will be great.
http://www.houseofkolor.com/

P.S. Wrong House of Kolor. The one I'm thinking of is Bob Taylor.
Taylor's House of Color
514 Dakota Ave, Louisville, KY 40209 USA
502-361-7751 or 800-590-7751
or e-mail bob37ford@insightbb.com

Ron L · Jan 12, 2010

grandpaul said:
debby said:

I tried that and didn't have very good luck
Debby, the unlucky ebayer

Click to expand...

You need to cut open the bottom, straighten it out properly, thoroughly clean the interior, weld the botom back on, grind smooth the metal on the exterior, line the tank (Caswell), and then refinish it.

It's not a total loss if you turn it into lessons learned!

(insert happy face here)

Or send it to Ross Thompson and get it back so straight that you won't even need to skim it with plastic filler!

debby · Jan 12, 2010

pelican said:
Oh wow!!! Was it filled in with bondo or something? That's horrible :shock:

Yes, the damage was carefully concealed with a boatload of bondo and a bad paint job. This is yet another example of why it's not a good idea to buy expensive items on ebay (I'm a slow learner).

I wrote the tank off and sold it for a fraction of what I paid. I suppose it could have been salvaged, but I didn't feel like throwing (a lot of) more money at it.

Debby

MarshalNorton · Jan 12, 2010

I faired well on Ebay.
Not meant to rub salt in a wound.
I purchased a stripped metal tank and stripped metal side covers.
I was ok cause I could see what was underneath in the decent pics.
Unless I know the painter, I would not buy any old Norton tank to include fiberglass
w/o being able to see the raw surface or it's a roll of the dice what you may end up with.

Debbie,
did you at least notify the seller w/ your discovery?
That's unacceptable and down right deceit full in that condition.
I know he bought it that way and didn't know :shock:
I'm am sorry for your experience because as a meager civil servant I know
how hard it is to make a buck and hate it when someone takes advantage of a situation.
I would think about an alloy tank in an interstate this day and age given the poor selection
avail. in metal.
Can alloy be painted up like steel?
Marshal

Hegel · Jan 13, 2010

Now here's a topic after my own heart...I say this as I want to have a go at making one, once the weather has improved (It's blooming cold in that garage!).
I'm off to the second part of a metal bashing course next month, which is more advance metal shaping and jig making. I was wondering if you can still buy the fittings for the petrol taps, etc?

Steve

maylar · Jan 13, 2010

I, too, have fared well on eBay. Bought a very nice Roadster tank still with factory paint on it. I'll keep my eyes open for a good one and pass it on to Gary here if one comes along.

I agree with Marshal here Debs - you got hosed.

debby · Jan 13, 2010

maylar said:
I agree with Marshal here Debs - you got hosed.

No doubt about that. I just don't have good luck on evil-bay. :?

Debby

bpatton · Jan 13, 2010

Debbie, I don't know what that tank cost you but I saw a basically perfect, painted and striped steel Interstate tank from a dealer of good repute go for around a grand some years ago on ebay. I paid $500 for one 15yrs ago that needed the usual paint and stripes.

About the question on painting alloy tanks. Yes, they can be painted. See Evan Wilcox. $1500, bare tank.
http://www.wilcoxmetal.com/england.htm

P.S. The reason I bought up the costs of Interstate tanks is that they are incredibly expensive.

The best made steel interstate tank?

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