Norton 961 Alloy Tank

Skiddy and other Brisbane/East Coast peeps,

Bit of research into a high quality motorcycle painter has led me to this firm. Have a look. Premium quality to my uneducated eye.

Norton 961 Alloy Tank
Norton 961 Alloy Tank
 
Ive heard reports that the polished tanks are a lot of work to maintain.
This one has been in use since 2011. With Covid, the bike has been sitting since 2020 and the alloy was looking quite dingy. Half an hour with a cloth and some polish brought it back.



 
Maintenance is as hard as you make it, and to what standard you want the tank to stay in. If you're trying to keep it completely scratch free, looking fresh off the polishing wheel, then it can be a bitch. Some all over wear and tear looks nice on some applications.
I thought I had my mind set on the paint finish I was going for....but now Im thinking of full manx silver. I'll probably change my mind again by this afternoon.
 
Stu Bodycote said:
Maintenance is as hard as you make it, and to what standard you want the tank to stay in. If you're trying to keep it completely scratch free, looking fresh off the polishing wheel, then it can be a bitch. Some all over wear and tear looks nice on some applications.
I thought I had my mind set on the paint finish I was going for....but now Im thinking of full manx silver. I'll probably change my mind again by this afternoon.
Click to expand...
You change your mind more than a one legged duck Stu! That’s why we were given a mind though, so we can change it when we feel the need. Think I’ll wait for you to finish so I can learn from any mistakes;)!

Not short of time, patience, beer, or old British heavy rock to listen to - so polishing my tank will be a breeze.
 
I always think that it's how you tie the aesthetic with the rest of the bike. If you have a tank that looks amazing but isn't matched to the bike it's on, to my eye it always looks out of place.

And whilst I am unsure of how Uriah Heep's Demons and Wizards will affect the tank polishing @Stephen_Spencer - at least I now know your detailing secret :D
 
Gojuu said:
I always think that it's how you tie the aesthetic with the rest of the bike. If you have a tank that looks amazing but isn't matched to the bike it's on, to my eye it always looks out of place.

And whilst I am unsure of how Uriah Heep's Demons and Wizards will affect the tank polishing @Stephen_Spencer - at least I now know your detailing secret :D
Click to expand...
Yup, that’s what happened to me, I had a beautiful looking bike and I then bought a beautiful alloy tank for it.

But the two beautiful things didn’t create a beautiful whole !
 
Completly get that FE/Gojuu and I agree. Beauty, eye, beholder and all that, but just taking the black and gold tank off my bike and adding the polished tank will look disjointed IMO, especially so on the black bike for obvious reasons - not so much on the silver.

That’s why I‘m looking at paint schemes to tie tail into tank. Really not concerned that I’m moving away from a standard 961 colour scheme as the bike’s a keeper - let’s face it there are so many specials/limited runs out there already. I will keep the black tank of course and continue my efforts to track down a black single seat unit. Should be able to pick and choose between the two setups as long as tail units can be made easily reversible.

My current detailing routine includes ‘150 Lashes’ pale ale and the Saxon back catalogue. They don’t make music like that anymore!

PS. Not really a fan of any of the below.

E8FF3AA3-E742-4B2D-B387-A8CB8411DBC6.jpeg
8E22E945-1246-433D-ADC9-3E6B5ABDE5D1.jpeg

86DF2754-550F-491E-84DA-DF231B460F2C.jpeg
 
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What’s the point of having a aluminum tank just to paint it? Please, don’t tell me fuel capacity.
If it’s the plastic tank being effected by the fuel, drain the tank in the off season and or use non ethanol fuel.
 
Hi V2D3,

Have a read of the whole thread mate - nothing to do with fuel for me and no intention to paint the entire tank as has been discussed. Initial intent is to have the gold pinstripe and black/gold inset added to the ally tank sides.

PS. Sunshine Coast of Queensland - there is no off season:D!
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
Hi V2D3,

Have a read of the whole thread mate - nothing to do with fuel for me and no intention to paint the entire tank as has been discussed. Initial intent is to have the gold pinstripe and black/gold inset added to the ally tank sides.

PS. Sunshine Coast of Queensland - there is no off season:D!
Click to expand...
Lol had me thinking about the V2D3 lmbo.
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
Completly get that FE/Gojuu and I agree. Beauty, eye, beholder and all that, but just taking the black and gold tank off my bike and adding the polished tank will look disjointed IMO, especially so on the black bike for obvious reasons - not so much on the silver.

That’s why I‘m looking at paint schemes to tie tail into tank. Really not concerned that I’m moving away from a standard 961 colour scheme as the bike’s a keeper - let’s face it there are so many specials/limited runs out there already. I will keep the black tank of course and continue my efforts to track down a black single seat unit. Should be able to pick and choose between the two setups as long as tail units can be made easily reversible.

My current detailing routine includes ‘150 Lashes’ pale ale and the Saxon back catalogue. They don’t make music like that anymore!

PS. Not really a fan of any of the below.

View attachment 94546View attachment 94547
View attachment 94548
Click to expand...

Agreed. IMHO the 961 is best with simple paint schemes, that allows the actual design styling of the bike to come through.

Fancy paint schemes can act like zebra stripes, that’s all you see, not the shape underneath. That’s why when pre production bikes and cars are road tested they are painted in zebra stripes, so you can’t actually see what the thing looks like underneath.

Less is more in this case.
 
Voodooo said:
What’s the point of having a aluminum tank just to paint it? Please, don’t tell me fuel capacity.
If it’s the plastic tank being effected by the fuel, drain the tank in the off season and or use non ethanol fuel.
Click to expand...
For me, just to have the old school monza style filler cap, off centred
 
Fuel capacity then.
Its a little subjective as what do we class as full? But, with the bike on its wheels and held upright, with fuel level measured as being full when at one inch below the lowest point of the filler neck, I measured 16ltr to full from empty.
 
Stu Bodycote said:
Fuel capacity then.
Its a little subjective as what do we class as full? But, with the bike on its wheels and held upright, with fuel level measured as being full when at one inch below the lowest point of the filler neck, I measured 16ltr to full from empty.
Click to expand...
Is this the TAB tank ? I was told 19 liters , Is there any way to add 3 more liters ? I was hoping for 4 USG usable !
 
Last edited:
Just squeezed another 1.5 litres in, taking it to 17.5 litre from empty. Personally, I'm uncomfortable at having a tank that full. I'd say 17ltr to fill. Has anyone actually measured the Norton tanks properly, instead of just going on the sales brochures?
 

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