My latest project that I’ll probably regret getting myself in to came in today. I have a customer with a Norton 850 Commando that had a rusted, leaking fuel tank. He wants me to paint the reproduction tank that he got. Looks like pretty good metal work but needs some attention where the two halves were joined together on the top. Could be a fun project. I’ve always had a soft spot for these bikes and I’d love to have a Norton built as a cafe racer some day.
I have a soft spot for them too. I had a buddy that had a Norton just like that and a matchless……
You know how it works, after a while you find yourself looking to buy one for no logical reason…..
I don’t think a logical reason exists to buy a British bike but I still love them. Owning one might cure me of that.
What is everyone’s opinion on tank sealer? He was telling me that his mechanic recommended sealing the new tank to prevent the rust from happening again but I wasn’t thinking this was the best idea. Seems to me it would be a better idea just to keep the tank topped up for long term storage rather than worry about the sealer failing.
I'm a no on the tank sealer. Keep the gas tank full. And run it dry every so often. Agree with @ShawnG comment below. Eventually the sealer causes a problem.
I haven't found a tank sealer that won't eventually fail.
I think they formulate the sealer to stand up to current fuel, then the fuel formula changes and the liner is no good.
Keep it full of fuel and it shouldn't rust.
That’s what I was thinking. It’s easy enough to keep a small bike tank full.
Forget the sealers. They all eventually fail.
Travis, have you seen the original tank? Wonder how bad it is. My experience with all reproduction parts (for the most part) is that it takes a tremendous number of hours to get them to look right and fit. Did he install the tank before handing it to you?
I haven’t seen the original yet but I’ll need it to compare with when finishing the metal work. But I also need to give him a rough idea of a price, so if he’s still breathing after that, I’ll have him bring it to his mechanic for a test fit. It seems like very few motorcycle owners really know how much work they can be. They see a small part and assume that it’ll be cheap.
Wait until it won't fit. Owner's don't realize how often the reproduction stuff requires hours of work just to make them fit. You are almost always better off putting your time in the original part.
On the upside, with this bike, there’s not much on it that meets up with the tank. As long as the bolt holes line up to the frame it’ll probably be okay. I’m not really sure why the reproduction part was his go-to. It’s not a super rare bike, it would seem that there would be a good, usable tank out there somewhere.
My customer took the reproduction tank to his mechanic and apparently it fit, so I’m up next. He brought the original tank so I have something to compare to as far as finishing edges and decal placement. It’s rough. Replacing it was a good call but I think I still would have tried to find a clean original somewhere.
