Bubbling Tank Paint

There appear to be a few fabricators on the net who make tanks but they also appear to have long waiting lists... we just don't have the apprentice craftsmen coming through the ranks anymore. I don't know hat's happening in India re: Norton but if it takes off then I wouldn't be surprised to see aftermarket tanks being produced, probably in steel.
 
Fast Eddie said:
As winter is coming and you can afford some down time, why not take your tank to one of the people who make said tanks for featherbeds and ask them to make one for your 961?
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I seem to accumulate more mileage in the winter but if y'all find one, I'll read about it.
 
MxMartin said:
There appear to be a few fabricators on the net who make tanks but they also appear to have long waiting lists... we just don't have the apprentice craftsmen coming through the ranks anymore. I don't know hat's happening in India re: Norton but if it takes off then I wouldn't be surprised to see aftermarket tanks being produced, probably in steel.
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I checked the Indian fabricator who sells on eBay and they said they would make a Norton tank if someone sends them their original tank to use as a model. I'm not willing to do that but if someone is we would have steel tanks for the 961.
 
I would read through some of the threads on the classic forum regarding Indian made tanks before getting too excited about that idea.

It’s a very hit n miss exercise it seems...

Some people are happy that the fit and quality is “good considering the price” which to me means “it’s a bit crap, but it was cheap, so I’ll put up with it”.

But many complain of poor build quality, poor fitment, and the insides being coated with some unidentified substance that gets dissolved by petrol... 961 injectors gummed up with unidentified Indian tank sealer anyone...?

Bad idea in my opinion boys.
 
I don't currently have any issues with my stock tank, but I would certainly consider a steel replacement tank.
Certainly if it had reasonably good quality, at a less than astronomical price.
This is an area where I think Matt could make a few bucks, he seems to have a source for good replacement tanks for classic Commandos.
EFI tanks are obviously different from classic petcock tanks, but it should be possible to source them.

CNW has some 961 parts on their website, we need a steel replacement 961 tank added to the parts list.
Oh yeah, and a supercharger.:D
 
I believe Matt sells Emgo Roadster tanks. Emgo tooled up to produce them based on there being a large market that made it viable. I wouldn’t hold your breath whilst waiting for someone to conclude that about 961 tanks...
 
Fast Eddie said:
I believe Matt sells Emgo Roadster tanks. Emgo tooled up to produce them based on there being a large market that made it viable. I wouldn’t hold your breath whilst waiting for someone to conclude that about 961 tanks...
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True perhaps, but can't hurt to ask.
 
Fast Eddie said:
I believe Matt sells Emgo Roadster tanks. Emgo tooled up to produce them based on there being a large market that made it viable. I wouldn’t hold your breath whilst waiting for someone to conclude that about 961 tanks...
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I too have seen the hit'n'miss reports on the Indian made steel tanks, but my assumption was based on the production of the 961 taking off in India.... a good Indian made steel tank could be just a couple of years away... or not :)
 
I was very (pleasantly) surprised to see my new Duc has a steel tank, I’m guessing that they finally got the message re ethanol and distortion (they have had huge ongoing claims and issues for years now).

Hopefully the start of a trend?
 
Fast Eddie said:
I was very (pleasantly) surprised to see my new Duc has a steel tank, I’m guessing that they finally got the message re ethanol and distortion (they have had huge ongoing claims and issues for years now).

Hopefully the start of a trend?
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Yeah.
Plastic tanks were (are) an experiment on the motorcycling public that has largely failed.
A well made steel tank will have few issues especially if manufacturers coat the inside.
This should be an option offered.
 
My tank started bubbling around the first of the year. Now it's leaking as well. Thought it was the pump O ring but new ring didn't fix. I started thinking about what I had done and traced the leak to the overflow tube that passes through the tank. Put a camera down in the tank and found where it was cracked. I'm glad I didn't spend the money to repair was is an obviously defective product. Does anyone have or know of a contact email address at Norton? My US dealership has had no luck getting any info on a replacement tank price or availability from Donington.
 
gchoppin said:
My tank started bubbling around the first of the year. Now it's leaking as well. Thought it was the pump O ring but new ring didn't fix. I started thinking about what I had done and traced the leak to the overflow tube that passes through the tank. Put a camera down in the tank and found where it was cracked. I'm glad I didn't spend the money to repair was is an obviously defective product. Does anyone have or know of a contact email address at Norton? My US dealership has had no luck getting any info on a replacement tank price or availability from Donington.
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Try this:
service@nortonmotorcycles.com
This was for Max (warranty manager) don’t know if it is being monitored though - I believe Max has now left
max.muller@nortonmotorcycles.com

Or this

Contact Us
Norton Motorcycles (UK) Ltd
Donington Hall
Castle Donington,
Derby,
DE74 2SG
United Kingdom

Head Office
+44 (01332) 811988

Sales & Service enquiries
+44 (01332) 812119
 
service@ will get you through to the showroom where Marie is.
parts@ will get you through to Carmen (warranty and technical admin).

My recent purchase and my recent warranty claim involved both Marie and Carmen, and turnaround was quick.
 
TonyA said:
Can someone tell me what a reasonable price for a hand made aluminum gas tank would be ? In other words how much are you guys willing to spend on one ?
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About as much as Norton charges for a plastic one for steel. A maybe 30% more for aluminum or aluminium….unobtanium:rolleyes::cool:
 
Thanks for the info guys. My dealer thinks the painted plastic tank is about 1/3 the cost of the aluminum. Through my eyes the aluminum tank looks great on some 961 colors but to me the royal red is not one of them. Again I just don't think Norton should make a profit on a poor design at the expense of its supporters. Hoping for a break on the price. I think the dealer making a profit is fine. They sell the product but don't build or manufacturing it. That's fair.
 
gchoppin said:
Through my eyes the aluminum tank looks great on some 961 colors but to me the royal red is not one of them.
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An aluminum tank, buffed out, and bright is beautiful.
Covering it with paint is kind of a sin.
I agree, it would look odd with the red tail and airbox.
 
Bubbling Tank Paint
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gchoppin said:
Thanks for the info guys. My dealer thinks the painted plastic tank is about 1/3 the cost of the aluminum. Through my eyes the aluminum tank looks great on some 961 colors but to me the royal red is not one of them. Again I just don't think Norton should make a profit on a poor design at the expense of its supporters. Hoping for a break on the price. I think the dealer making a profit is fine. They sell the product but don't build or manufacturing it. That's fair.
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I put the polished aluminum Norton tank on my black commando and had them do the lettering and stripe in matching gold.
At first I liked the polished tank. Now I have mixed feelings and kinda like the black painted tank instead.
You be the judge.
 

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