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Slimline tank rear mounting hook

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Hi. I have two slimline frame petrol tanks, both still in the original grey/silver paint. The only difference between the two is that on one of them the rear mounting ‘hook’ (for the rubber band) is flush with the rear of the tank - you can’t see any evidence of a join between the two surfaces. However, on the other tank, the hook is mounted onto a square plate which is itself tack welded in four places to the back of the tank. At first I thought that someone had cut off the hook for some reason and then re-attached it at a later date, but on looking through a Norton book (one of Roy Bacon’s) I found a photo of a tank that had the welded plate/hook on it. I thought it might be my tank, but it can’t be because the welds are in different places. So does anybody know the story behind the difference in tank mounting methods? I’m assuming that one is later than the other but I’m only guessing.

Thanks

Regards

Tony

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Hi... So have I actually come up with a question that nobody on the Forum can answer? That’s got to be worth a prize - how about a brand new Commando? Well, it was worth a try :-)

Regards

Tony

Hello there is only one place for the rear mounting hook that's in mid ships next to the bottom of the tank and fastened by a rubber O ring band     and was gas welded on so you need to find someone in your Ares that can gas weld    as good as me.  Yours  Anna j

 

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Tanks made in the Norton factory  could be different to those made at Woolwich.  Which side of the tanks are the filler caps on?.

Hello mounting hooks should be the same right to the Mercury 650 why would they change something that cheap and easy to fit. Yours. Anna j

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No idea Anna, but they certainly changed things for no apparent reason. Threads on steering columns, threads on bearing rings finishes on fixings,etc.

Hello Robert  I  would not know ether  AS I do not venture beyond Bracebridge street  Norton's  and that enough for me for now  Your problem to solve   your anna j

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Thanks everyone.

Robert, you might be onto something - the filler caps are indeed on opposite sides - I’m sure that indicates something, but I don’t know what it is - different years/factories maybe?

The dimensions of the two tanks are identical.

I’ve attached photos showing the filler caps and the different hooks.

Thanks again.

Tony

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My -68 650SS had this tank when I bought it. Cap on the right side. It has been repaired. Seems not uncommon that they start to leak. My guess is that the square piece with hook could be obtained from somewhere for repairs.

 

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My slimline tank which I am sure is original fitting has the filler cap on the near side and the loop is part of a square plate, as per photo.

 

slimline tank

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Hi Tony

Here are pics of my Slimline featherbed 1960 Manxman tank that was just chemically dipped.  It has the square plate just like Colin's above and filler cap on the left-hand side (sitting on the bike).  Cheers, Mike

Manxman rear mounting plate
Manxman rear mounting plate

 

Side view of rear Manxman mounting plate
Side view of rear mounting plate

 

Side view of tank and filler cap
Side view of tank and filler cap (don't look at the dent!)

 

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My understanding is that the earlier Bracebridge tanks had the filler on the left.(pre 63?)  Later Woolwich tanks seem to have them on the right. Possibly to resist leaks and aid filling when on the side stand?. All guesswork but it would appear that you have spotted yet another Woolwich anomaly re the bracket fixing ,which would seem to be a cheaper backward step as it concentrates the stresses in a smaller area. That Manxman tank of Mike's looks to be very different in construction and shape to the UK slimline tanks.At first sight one would assume it had been heavily cut about for a repair,or more likely it was  handmade (like the silencers) in a prototype way ,in expectation that the big run would get a proper pressing tool by Shelleys?. Fun this guesswork isn't it!!.

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While on the subject of odd tank details ,I was looking through some photos of early De-luxe slimlines( sad old git) and found a Factory shot (Bacons 1981 Osprey Twins page 43) that clearly has many clues that it was  a well used  prototype.  One being Mazack tank badges that have different fixings and shape like a lightweight and it also has no tickler slot in the sidepanel that production bikes have.

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Hi Mike, Robert,

Thanks for taking the time to get involved with this. It’s strange that Mike’s tank and Colin’s tank have the welded on hook plate but the filler neck is on the left. My tank with the welded on hook has the filler on the right - another weird situation.

I’m edging towards using my tank that has the right-hand filler as I think it will be better because I want to use a side-stand. I’m worried that if I have a left-hand filler and the tank has been filled to the brim while it’s on the centre-stand it will overflow when the bike is put in the side-stand. Does that sound like a reasonable assumption?

Thanks again

Regards

Tony

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A side stand is a really usefull device, particularly as one gets old  and less athletic , I managed perfectly well up to the age of 70 without.   Could not manage now!, fit one while you can.

Hi again Tony, Robert and guys

Thought you might like to see a few pics of 3, yes 3 Manxman (should that be Manxmen?) tanks side-by-side and showing the rear mounting hooks.  Two of the tanks belong to friends.  The fourth tank belongs to the long-awaited "Shep" Atlas project for another time.  I'll be doing a video of the tanks soon to compare the polychromatic blue color/colour on these tanks and some other parts. The goal will be to compare the blue on various parts with paint codes from Anna to try and find the best overall match.

Best wishes

Mike

 

3 Manxmen
3 Manxman Tanks
Rear Tabs
Rear Tabs

 

From the top
From the top!

 

 


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