Hi Malcolm, good (and very balanced) review of the Indian-made petrol tanks! I bought a 'Breadbox' tank for my later 1981 TR7VS (Electro) Tiger just recently, as I'm in the minority who likes those 'English' style tanks. It was a good price ($NZ300), brand new, painted in the traditional 79-on zigzag style, good pinstriping (just a little thicker than the old factory ones, but well done nevertheless). The steadying strap and petcock holes were correctly threaded, just needed a cleanup, overall very satisfactory. Some more minor problems though exactly as you observed. On one side the badge holes were not quite lined up and I had to slightly 'modify' (read: butcher) a screw to fit and use loctite to secure it. The fuel cap was also problematic. I had several around and ended up doing a little filing and using a slightly worn one with a new cork seal, and that has worked fine. Also, the shape was not quite exactly correct and I found that on full lock the fork shroud was banging the tank, so had to fabricate some buffers to prevent that. The tunnel was also a little tight for the U-shaped mounting rubbers, so had to trim them a little. On the first test ride the tank seemed to be 'ringing' on the frame somewhere which was annoying, but solved that by using FOUR slightly trimmed U rubbers. Ended up having it on and off about 5 times, but now it looks pretty spot-on and is sitting nicely, not ringing, fuel tight, and pretty satisfactory. So your evaluation is right on the money: good buys, but not an instant 'chuck it on and ride away' jobbie - take a little careful fettling. Great site mate, and we loved Curtis' presentation of the clutch adjusters - gonna be a media star, he comes across well! - cheers from New Zealand - Pat
I have found the Indian tanks generally need fettling, the petcock threads are usually 'rough' at best and too large requiring plenty of PTFE! Fixings are usually in the wrong place, I have had to either fettle the tank, sometimes fettle the frame and also had to make spacers to get the tanks to fit. The paint and chrome is usually very good. The tank I bought for my BSA A50 had a few pinholes which caused bubbling in the paint once fuelled up. The only good point is that they are much cheaper than buying a rusty, dented original tank!
How did you go with that sealer in there, the nasty looking grey stuff smeared all around inside the tank. I wonder what it is and how long it will last, how much ethanol it can cope with and most importantly how can you now repair any future leakage issues?
Having anticipated fitting issues, I decided to go with an unpainted tank. I had to contact the vendor directly to source it since they primarily sell painted tanks. It went on the bike with some minor fitting. All around, for the price, I was expecting some rework when it arrived. I probably had most of a Saturday morning it it before I thought it was ready for paint. Now that it’s done, I’m not dissatisfied, then again, I was expecting to work on it.
I bought an Indian tool / battery Box for my 1958 TR 6. It was total junk, nothing fit and the profile from the side was way different than the oil tank, the welding looks like it was done in 2nd grade. The cover didn’t fit. Total junk, beware. Loren, NM
I have a BSA 650 OIF and jumped at the chance to buy a new fuel tank since my two original tanks have cracks near the seams. When the new one arrived, it resembled my originals, but that was about it. Once I had the new tank sitting side-by-side with one of my originals, it was obvious how different the new one was. Nothing fit. Not the fuel cap, petcocks, badges, center trim, - it wouldn't even fit on the bike. Plus it was full of rust and sand. I immediately complained on-line through their feedback page and they quickly offered to give me a total refund once they received the tank. Short story, good customer service. Unusable product. I haven't tried to purchase another one for fear it'll also have many issues. FYI - there are videos on RUclips showing how these tanks are made in India. Once you watch it, you'll understand why these tanks are the way they are. ruclips.net/video/LpxVRyBCvmU/видео.html
![[A's BMW vol.5] Aluminum fuel tank making process.アルミタンクの製作 BMW R100RS](/img/1.gif)
Hi Malcolm, good (and very balanced) review of the Indian-made petrol tanks! I bought a 'Breadbox' tank for my later 1981 TR7VS (Electro) Tiger just recently, as I'm in the minority who likes those 'English' style tanks. It was a good price ($NZ300), brand new, painted in the traditional 79-on zigzag style, good pinstriping (just a little thicker than the old factory ones, but well done nevertheless). The steadying strap and petcock holes were correctly threaded, just needed a cleanup, overall very satisfactory. Some more minor problems though exactly as you observed. On one side the badge holes were not quite lined up and I had to slightly 'modify' (read: butcher) a screw to fit and use loctite to secure it. The fuel cap was also problematic. I had several around and ended up doing a little filing and using a slightly worn one with a new cork seal, and that has worked fine. Also, the shape was not quite exactly correct and I found that on full lock the fork shroud was banging the tank, so had to fabricate some buffers to prevent that. The tunnel was also a little tight for the U-shaped mounting rubbers, so had to trim them a little. On the first test ride the tank seemed to be 'ringing' on the frame somewhere which was annoying, but solved that by using FOUR slightly trimmed U rubbers. Ended up having it on and off about 5 times, but now it looks pretty spot-on and is sitting nicely, not ringing, fuel tight, and pretty satisfactory. So your evaluation is right on the money: good buys, but not an instant 'chuck it on and ride away' jobbie - take a little careful fettling. Great site mate, and we loved Curtis' presentation of the clutch adjusters - gonna be a media star, he comes across well! - cheers from New Zealand - Pat
Just what i was looking for.
I have found the Indian tanks generally need fettling, the petcock threads are usually 'rough' at best and too large requiring plenty of PTFE!
Fixings are usually in the wrong place, I have had to either fettle the tank, sometimes fettle the frame and also had to make spacers to get the tanks to fit.
The paint and chrome is usually very good.
The tank I bought for my BSA A50 had a few pinholes which caused bubbling in the paint once fuelled up.
The only good point is that they are much cheaper than buying a rusty, dented original tank!
Any plans to elaborate on the steps taken to repair the Indian tank so the gas cap actually fit and sealed properly ?
If we have time to film it, we will post it
FACTORY !!! These things are hammered out in peoples sheds.
How did you go with that sealer in there, the nasty looking grey stuff smeared all around inside the tank. I wonder what it is and how long it will last, how much ethanol it can cope with and most importantly how can you now repair any future leakage issues?
Having anticipated fitting issues, I decided to go with an unpainted tank. I had to contact the vendor directly to source it since they primarily sell painted tanks. It went on the bike with some minor fitting. All around, for the price, I was expecting some rework when it arrived. I probably had most of a Saturday morning it it before I thought it was ready for paint. Now that it’s done, I’m not dissatisfied, then again, I was expecting to work on it.
I bought an Indian tool / battery Box for my 1958 TR 6. It was total junk, nothing fit and the profile from the side was way different than the oil tank, the welding looks like it was done in 2nd grade. The cover didn’t fit. Total junk, beware.
Loren, NM
Yikes, good content, but the sound mix (variation in volume) is really bad.
Bollywood
I have a BSA 650 OIF and jumped at the chance to buy a new fuel tank since my two original tanks have cracks near the seams. When the new one arrived, it resembled my originals, but that was about it. Once I had the new tank sitting side-by-side with one of my originals, it was obvious how different the new one was. Nothing fit. Not the fuel cap, petcocks, badges, center trim, - it wouldn't even fit on the bike. Plus it was full of rust and sand. I immediately complained on-line through their feedback page and they quickly offered to give me a total refund once they received the tank. Short story, good customer service. Unusable product. I haven't tried to purchase another one for fear it'll also have many issues. FYI - there are videos on RUclips showing how these tanks are made in India. Once you watch it, you'll understand why these tanks are the way they are.
ruclips.net/video/LpxVRyBCvmU/видео.html
What did you expected , that you were going to buy a tank that was good . come on, they are made in India ,