Uncommon tank paint?

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cstreit911

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Oct 5, 2022
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Hey all - I have a fiberglass tank on my '71 and I'd like to put a steel one on. This one has a soft spot and I just don't trust it. However all of the aftermarket tanks I see have a paint job different from mine.
The lines look hand-painted so this may have been a custom job. I've seen one (in the wrong color) like this.
Was this rare? Custom? I like it - how do I find this?

While I'm at it - what is the chintzy blockoff plate on the right side of the engine down by the cylinder base...?


Uncommon tank paint?
 
cstreit911 said:
Hey all - I have a fiberglass tank on my '71 and I'd like to put a steel one on. This one has a soft spot and I just don't trust it. However all of the aftermarket tanks I see have a paint job different from mine.
The lines look hand-painted so this may have been a custom job. I've seen one (in the wrong color) like this.
Was this rare? Custom? I like it - how do I find this?

While I'm at it - what is the chintzy blockoff plate on the right side of the engine down by the cylinder base...?


Uncommon tank paint?
Click to expand...
It's a block off plate where the magneto used to reside.
 
cstreit911 said:
Hey all - I have a fiberglass tank on my '71 and I'd like to put a steel one on. This one has a soft spot and I just don't trust it. However all of the aftermarket tanks I see have a paint job different from mine.
The lines look hand-painted so this may have been a custom job. I've seen one (in the wrong color) like this.
Was this rare? Custom? I like it - how do I find this?

While I'm at it - what is the chintzy blockoff plate on the right side of the engine down by the cylinder base...?


Uncommon tank paint?
Click to expand...
www.webbikeworld.com

1971 Norton Commando - webBikeWorld

1971 Norton Commando 1971 Norton Commando ROADSTER 4 NEW MODELS The 1971 Norton Commando line grew from 2 models in 1968 (Fastback & S), to 3 models at the beginning of the 1969 model year (Fastback, S & R), then dropped back down to 2 models by the end of 1969 (Fastback & R). Now 4 more new...
www.webbikeworld.com
Personally I'd get a bare steel one and Get/paint it how you want with some decent paint products ...the imported paint jobs are most likely done in single pack lacquer and chip easily
 
Am I missing something here? The tank looks to me like the stock 1971 roadster paint job. It is missing the decals on the side cover, but you can replace those.

Uncommon tank paint?


Ken
 
Rumor has it that the pin stripe was originally painted by hand, so they would all be a little different. As KiwiShane says, get a steel tank and paint it the way you like. While you are changing the tank, replace the fuel line with a newer version. The original connector pipe is in a bad place when your head gasket starts to leak.

The blanking plate covers the hole where the distributor was mounted. Magnetos disappeared before the Commando.
 
cstreit911 said:
While I'm at it - what is the chintzy blockoff plate on the right side of the engine down by the cylinder base...?
Click to expand...

It is actually a starter motor blanking plate for the original Lucas starter motor that was never fitted.
Not for a magneto or distributor and doesn't have the same opening/stud spacing as the mag. or 20M3 points housing.
Uncommon tank paint?
Also, the early 20M3S (camshaft-driven points) crankcases (from Eng. 131257) had no hole there until Eng. 136618 when the two strengthening lugs were added and they continued until the end of 850 Mk2/2A production although the opening and blanking plate reverted to a plain casting during 1972. The 850 Mk3 timing case doesn't have them.
Uncommon tank paint?
 
Last edited:
cstreit911 said:
Hey all - I have a fiberglass tank on my '71 and I'd like to put a steel one on. This one has a soft spot and I just don't trust it. However all of the aftermarket tanks I see have a paint job different from mine.
The lines look hand-painted so this may have been a custom job. I've seen one (in the wrong color) like this.
Was this rare? Custom? I like it - how do I find this?

While I'm at it - what is the chintzy blockoff plate on the right side of the engine down by the cylinder base...?


Uncommon tank paint?
Click to expand...
If you're asking about the black and gold tank - that a standard Roadster black steel tank from 72 to 73 and I think it was in 71 as well but I don't know if fiber or steel or both. Originally the lines were paint and the Norton was a sticker. Today, my painter does both in paint so they match.
 
As Greg requests for a good paint job
Spray on the gold or what ever colour to the prepared tank sides...once cured ...mask out for the pin stripe and apply Norton transfer
(i reduce the tackiness by hand touching the adhesive before applying ...makes it easier to pick out later)...denib , tack rag the surface then spray the base coat black on or what ever colour you choose.(not to thick)..once cured un mask and carefully pick out the transfer ...denib (2000 grit) the coating and apply the clear coats....once fully cured 2000 sand and compound polish if you don't have a dust free spray booth. ...bling bling 🌟
I think what the owner means possibly is that the Indian painted ones generally have the later model twin pinstripe finish to appeal to the main market ( i could be wrong)

[edit] all the above is not for the faint hearted....if you don't know your way around this stuff...see a professional 👌
 
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Are those P11 bars ? I love those , my buddy Ron a mere 3 blocks away from me rides his 73 with them and they are great .
Time for new fork seals too and a tidy up under the tank ?
 
For something different
This is a stock type paint job i done 30 + years ago
Murdered candy is what they can it now a days
Fire wine candy over black pearl.
In the shade it looks stock black and in the light gives off the colour of a port 🍷coloured pearl finish look
 

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cstreit911 said:
Hey all - I have a fiberglass tank on my '71 and I'd like to put a steel one on. This one has a soft spot and I just don't trust it. However all of the aftermarket tanks I see have a paint job different from mine.
The lines look hand-painted so this may have been a custom job. I've seen one (in the wrong color) like this.
Was this rare? Custom? I like it - how do I find this?

While I'm at it - what is the chintzy blockoff plate on the right side of the engine down by the cylinder base...?


Uncommon tank paint?
Click to expand...
This is me in 1973 on a near new and completely original ‘72 750. The single line pinstripe is hand painted as you said. The “Norton” decal is gold with black surround. Tank is fiberglass.

Uncommon tank paint?
 
cstreit911 said:
Hey all - I have a fiberglass tank on my '71 and I'd like to put a steel one on. This one has a soft spot and I just don't trust it. However all of the aftermarket tanks I see have a paint job different from mine.
The lines look hand-painted so this may have been a custom job. I've seen one (in the wrong color) like this.
Was this rare? Custom? I like it - how do I find this?

While I'm at it - what is the chintzy blockoff plate on the right side of the engine down by the cylinder base...?


Uncommon tank paint?
Click to expand...
Here's a cool company a lot of paint is available in rattle cans ! I was impressed , check out this , if you look through their other videos there might be something that might match , I'm going to give it a try on my GL1000 .
 
I bought some sample aero shapes , they were smaller than thought about 4"× 2" ½ colours were Apple red and blood red in true candy , their standard base coat silver is , "silver flare" but I thought it was too fine , I have since found out the next silver with a bit more fleck is , smashed metal metallic, so my GL1000 will get that with the apple red , I think it will look alright , best thing is, the tank is just a cover in three pieces , so all parts are smallish .
 
Shelby-Right said:
I bought some sample aero shapes , they were smaller than thought about 4"× 2" ½ colours were Apple red and blood red in true candy , their standard base coat silver is , "silver flare" but I thought it was too fine , I have since found out the next silver with a bit more fleck is , smashed metal metallic, so my GL1000 will get that with the apple red , I think it will look alright , best thing is, the tank is just a cover in three pieces , so all parts are smallish .
Click to expand...
The activated 2 pack clearcoat cans work well 👌
 
ILLF8ED said:
I saw an on-line video of a guy in India hand striping a Royal Enfield tank.…incredible!
Click to expand...
These folk are very resourceful and after viewing a Indian tank manufacturers process ...they do really well in my book with the tools they have to work with in most cases.
Once fitment is checked...I think after some careful preparation...recoating a Indian manufactured painted tank with a 2 pack clear would be a good thing to reduce chipping etc..(that I've seen complaints about) Im currently looking for a interstate tank but have had no luck with returning emails...to date...
 
There have been many who have brought Indian made fuel tanks to find they leaked and had fittings in the wrong place, if you buy one that is painted and have the same problems then that could become a bigger problem at lease if you buy a non painted tank it can be easier to fix if it has a problem, buying cheap from a 3rd world country can be a big risk and I have watch a lot of those sweat shops making tanks on u tube and really, a good hand made tank takes time but these sweat shops make hundreds everyday, I think I like to spend the money and get a good quality tank made if I ever need one, one that don't need to be fixed when you get it, you might be lucky to get a good one but are you feeling lucky.
 
KiwiShane said:
These folk are very resourceful and after viewing a Indian tank manufacturers process ...they do really well in my book with the tools they have to work with in most cases.
Once fitment is checked...I think after some careful preparation...recoating a Indian manufactured painted tank with a 2 pack clear would be a good thing to reduce chipping etc..(that I've seen complaints about) Im currently looking for a interstate tank but have had no luck with returning emails...to date...
Click to expand...
I changed this ‘73 750 from black roadster to this interstate. I had a bicycle painter company called Javelot do the finish…it’s a 1980 Mazda color. In 1984 original interstate tanks were fairly easy to find. All steel original tanks are scarce these days.
IMG_1071.jpeg
 
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