The best made steel interstate tank?

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Gary

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Nov 28, 2009
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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
 
Indian are better than Pakistani from what I've read "here and there"...
 
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...
 
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
 
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.
 
pelican said:
Can always get a used one of ebay and paint it...
Click to expand...

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

The best made steel interstate tank?


The best made steel interstate tank?


Buyer Beware :shock: :evil:

Debby, the unlucky ebayer
 
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)
 
Oh wow!!! Was it filled in with bondo or something? That's horrible :shock: :(
 
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
 
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)
Click to expand...

Or send it to Ross Thompson and get it back so straight that you won't even need to skim it with plastic filler!
 
pelican said:
Oh wow!!! Was it filled in with bondo or something? That's horrible :shock: :(
Click to expand...

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
 
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
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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