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Mk3 Oil Tank Lower Bolt

Submitted by charles_claxton on Sun, 28/02/2016
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Commando

This query refers to the Mk3 Commando, but may overlap earlier models?

Is there a dodge/ruse to fully tightening the bottom oil tank bolt, that which goes upwards through the battery tray extension?

There appears no room to swing a spanner, nor approach it below with socket extension etc. I've gone finger tight using a socket head to give better leverage, and dosed liberally with stud fit, too.

I ask because the last one fell out, and the resultant increase in mobility snapped one of the top mounting tabs.. All welded now, but: 'Once bitten, twice shy, etc,,,,,'

Any (polite!) suggestions?

Submitted by keith_glassborow on Sun, 28/02/2016

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Its not that hard but is tricky. I use a short 7/16 ring and open-ended. If you come in from the rear (so to speak!) with the pipes disconnected you can tighten a bit then flip the spanner and end to end. That usually lets you tighten it bit by bit. I make sure its free in its thread so you can make best use of hand tightening. Best of luck.

Submitted by john_alexander on Sun, 28/02/2016

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Just removed mine by taking off both oil pipes,then using a 7/16 1/4 drive socket with long wobble extension

Fiddly but not the worst job

Good luck

Submitted by charles_claxton on Sun, 28/02/2016

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Thank you both...

Did make sure all threads clean and free while the tank was off, also new bolt was of sufficient length.

Hopefully this onewill stay put (last of my stud seal :(), but will take your suggestions on board should it choose to disappear!

Submitted by richard_payne on Sun, 28/02/2016

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'Sufficient length' and not too long, I hope as that brings another problem...A shouldered bolt would have been a good idea here. Had the Commando been built at Bracebridge Street, it probably would have been.

Submitted by martin_peacock on Sun, 28/02/2016

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The bottom of my tank was split and had been repaired by brazing, epoxy and duct tape. There was no threaded boss to be seen. I repaired that mess with a steel plate and threaded boss. Then, looking at it as Charles C has done, I put in a peg to simply locate the tank bottom rather than use the fiddly bolt.

Submitted by charles_claxton on Sun, 28/02/2016

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Exactly! Whereas I can understand that a modicum of restraint will put less stress on the upper mountings, I would have thought the proximity of the frame, the seat, and last but by no means least the rider's backside, would all conspire to stop the tank escaping upwards......

Submitted by john_holmes on Sun, 28/02/2016

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When my tank went for the 2nd time I ground the bottom boss off and had a plate welded on. I upsized the 2 top rubber mounts and glued a rubber pad to the base for it to rest on, no need even for a peg as the 2 stiffer upper mounts are enough.

Submitted by peter_shand on Sun, 28/02/2016

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1/4 drive 7/16ths socket and a long wobble drive extension/extensions gets to it easy from underneath

regards

peter

 


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