Fuel tank mounts.

this is a long shot and it takes some imagination - wondering if it was a sloppy, double stamp, of the letter "R" - look at the white paint outline, and try to visualize the letter R. it might make sense - "R" for roadster and some sort of code associated with manufacturing. IF tanks were made by one of several outside vendors, as Time Warp suggested, Norton would have to keep track of where individual tanks originated for control and quality purposes. it "might " read - roadster, 269th tank at vendor "D". just guessing....



edit - it's obvious that it was stamped AFTER the tank was painted. not sure how that plays into it - might have something to do with the paint, color or paint code, who knows - ???? it may read, roadster, 269th tank made in the 4th month (letter D), or the letter D might code for candy apple red - ??? still thinking the symbol is the letter R. whatever it is, it appears to be some sort of factory identification. unless someone knows for sure, we probably need a data base of a dozen or so original tanks, maybe vs. build dates, or colors, or something. we could probably decipher the true meaning of the stamping.

No stamps to be seen on the inflato tank.

Time Warp said:

No stamps to be seen on the inflato tank.

View attachment 12206

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It certainly looks pretty. The stud spacing is still a mystery though. I think that if it was pressurized to the point of splaying the studs, the tank would be bulging somewhere else.

Were there any other Norton tanks that had the same shape as a Roadster? I'm not familiar with other models, and I wonder if that tank was meant for something other than a Commando.

maylar said:

I think that if it was pressurized to the point of splaying the studs, the tank would be bulging somewhere else.

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If you look at the Roadster tank from either the front or the rear the weakest point is along the top of the tank, it would be easy to pressurise it and the bulge only affect the studs and the sides bend out but not deform.

Interesting that I have an original baffled tank supposedly off a ‘73 that has one of the front studs bent inward. Never gave it much thought and was afraid to straighten it for fear of springing a leak. No other damage (as in being dropped) noted when off for paint. QC off that day perhaps?

Scott

i might as well re-mark...when my CS tank was overpressurized by radiator shop to find leaks it splayed out and the top had a crease kind of like opening up an upside down hotdog bun

IMHO a baffled tank would be difficult to splay without the top of the tank being damaged, the horseshoe shaped baffle spot welded around the tunnel adds a good bit of support.