Bubbling Tank Paint

Yes , the black tank does look the part . But the Alum tank is certainly the keeper for years to come . When the plastic tank finally
gives up , you have a great tank to fall back on . Lets be honest , would any of us be complaining right now if Norton would have just put the Alum tank but painted on our bikes up front ? It's the extra cost that has us chaffing , naturally .. The steel tanks must have been more costly for them to get made . I wish they would have reconsidered that before they went with plastic(or whatever it is) . They are making the same mistake again with the 650 , going with the molded (plastic) gas tanks !
 
You do have to wonder what is going wrong with the manufacture of plastic tanks for motorcycles. Most car manufacturers use a plastic petrol tank and don’t experience the same issues -so what is working that can be transferred?

Alternatively, look at the cheaper bikes H*nda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki - all of which have metal tanks - so it must be possible to produce them relatively cheaply or buy one from them to fit to the Norton...
 
I don't think the ally tank looks bad on the black bike, but I still prefer the paint. Ally is too blingy. I think weight was the factor over steel and expense over the plastic. Plastic isn't bad if it weren't for the ethanol. Its impervious to moisture and corrosives. It doesn't dent like the metal tanks. Not too sure aluminum would fare well in my salty environment.
 
Eljahara said:
You do have to wonder what is going wrong with the manufacture of plastic tanks for motorcycles. Most car manufacturers use a plastic petrol tank and don’t experience the same issues -so what is working that can be transferred?
Click to expand...

Interesting? I didn't know that autos had plastic tanks.
I thought all were still steel.


Eljahara said:
Alternatively, look at the cheaper bikes H*nda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki - all of which have metal tanks - so it must be possible to produce them relatively cheaply or buy one from them to fit to the Norton...
Click to expand...

The problem with the 961 is that it has a backbone/cradle frame. The tank needs a central tunnel to fit the frame backbone. Most motorcycle companies are producing mono-shock parameter frames, their tanks on these bikes have no backbone tunnel. So they won't fit on the 961.

I'm surprised that today with CNC tools like, computerized milling machines, lathes, welders, and sophisticated plasma cutters, no one have come up with a CNC steel sheet forming machine.
What in hell are they waiting for?

With one of these babies, we could all design and produce our own tanks, covers, battery trays, etc.

Maybe sell some steel tanks to SG.:D
 
BritTwit:
https://www.tms.org/pubs/journals/JOM/9607/Alvarado-9607.html

The argument has been that a manufacturer of metal tanks would not produce them as the cost of development would not be recouped through sales. However, there are 50 each of the Cafe racer, sport and California anniversary models, 50 Brietling models, 50 SF etc.. in total there have to be in excess of 600 961Commando (probably more) so a good chance to recoup costs if a fabricator were to speculate...
 
If you look at total 961 production it is probably well over 2000 units.
I read somewhere that SG was claiming 5000+ units, but I think this is a bit optimistic.
I did a simple calc in another thread about a year ago and arrived at over 2000 easily.
However, if the real number is 2000-3000 sold, then I think it's feasible that a supplier might think about making a steel replacement tank for the 961.
One spec tank will fit all Commandos, Dominators, Californias.
That's why I earlier wrote about perhaps Matt at CNW might want to think about offering a steel replacement tank.
He already offers an EMGO steel tank for the classic Commandos.

A decently fabricated tank at a reasonable price (and we can discuss what "reasonable" means) is something I would be interested in.
I'm sure a fair number of other 961 owners would be too.
 
I have a Honda Foreman quad bike, had it 10 years now from new, it sits in the corner of my barn and as far as petrol in the tank goes it has been abused.... stored many months part empty, part full, and it is a white poly plastic with an outer plastic falsie cover, not had a single problem. My 12 year old strimmer has a poly tank, same for the hedge cutter and all 3 lawn mowers, none of which are younger than 10 years. My Indian has the same white polymer tank under the seat and I'm keeping fingers crossed that it won't give any problems. I don't know what the material is that is used to make the Norton tanks or why they (and other brands) suffer the same warping.
 
Eljahara said:
You do have to wonder what is going wrong with the manufacture of plastic tanks for motorcycles. Most car manufacturers use a plastic petrol tank and don’t experience the same issues -so what is working that can be transferred?

Alternatively, look at the cheaper bikes H*nda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki - all of which have metal tanks - so it must be possible to produce them relatively cheaply or buy one from them to fit to the Norton...
Click to expand...
Car companies don’t paint the exterior of the plastic tank.
 
BritTwit said:
Interesting? I didn't know that autos had plastic tanks.
I thought all were still steel.




The problem with the 961 is that it has a backbone/cradle frame. The tank needs a central tunnel to fit the frame backbone. Most motorcycle companies are producing mono-shock parameter frames, their tanks on these bikes have no backbone tunnel. So they won't fit on the 961.

I'm surprised that today with CNC tools like, computerized milling machines, lathes, welders, and sophisticated plasma cutters, no one have come up with a CNC steel sheet forming machine.
What in hell are they waiting for?

With one of these babies, we could all design and produce our own tanks, covers, battery trays, etc.

Maybe sell some steel tanks to SG.:D
Click to expand...
Their are cnc sheet metal forming machines. But a die would be more cost effective. Once the die is made 1000s of pieces could be made from one die.
 
MxMartin said:
I have a Honda Foreman quad bike, had it 10 years now from new, it sits in the corner of my barn and as far as petrol in the tank goes it has been abused.... stored many months part empty, part full, and it is a white poly plastic with an outer plastic falsie cover, not had a single problem. My 12 year old strimmer has a poly tank, same for the hedge cutter and all 3 lawn mowers, none of which are younger than 10 years. My Indian has the same white polymer tank under the seat and I'm keeping fingers crossed that it won't give any problems. I don't know what the material is that is used to make the Norton tanks or why they (and other brands) suffer the same warping.
Click to expand...
I’m going to say this.
The warping is most likely from heat.
 
If you exclude the classic, almost all other bikes have a plastic tank with cover.
I have a 13-year Griso with a perfect plastic tank.
I see no problems in plastic tanks if built well
 
The tanks are made by Acerbis, there is a logo on the underside. Acerbis is a reputable marque, they have been making plastic motorcycle parts & tanks for years, particularly for motorcross. I do wonder how many of the tanks are colour injected and decals applied, not painted.
 

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