classic motorcycle forum

Motorcycle Discussions => British Bikes => Topic started by: stevestriumph on November 04, 2018, 11:15:55 PM

Title: Original vintage tank or import copy?
Post by: stevestriumph on November 04, 2018, 11:15:55 PM

I purchased this tank you see in attached pictures at a swap meet. The seller told me it came off a 1948 Triumph 5T. He claimed it was an original gas tank, but with some searching I find that this tank is being made in India as a copy of the original. Is there a way to tell if this one is an original or not. The chrome is beautiful, almost too good to be true. The knee pads look authentic but the gas cap looks like an import. Any input would be appreciated. Steve

Title: Re: Original vintage tank or import copy?
Post by: Grunt on November 05, 2018, 12:36:14 AM

There’s an Anne Robinson saying from Rogue Traders or whatever it was called on telly “if it’s to good to be true, then it is to good to be true”.

Title: Re: Original vintage tank or import copy?
Post by: R on November 05, 2018, 04:29:50 AM

The 1st question, which is really incidental, is what did you pay for it ?
And the really important one is does it fit ??

A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush, as they say.....
Pressure testing (or leak testing) is probably wise before having it painted and striped.
Having first ensured it really does fit correctly.

Title: Re: Original vintage tank or import copy?
Post by: Rex on November 05, 2018, 09:44:35 AM

If it was an original old tank which has been refinished to that degree it would command a small fortune, but Indian-made tanks are cheaper, readily available and sometimes they even fit.
Usually you can tell the Ram-Jam items as they tend to be heavier and with poorly welded mounts etc plus a red lead finish inside.
As said, check it thoroughly before painting.

Title: Re: Original vintage tank or import copy?
Post by: mini-me on November 05, 2018, 10:20:06 AM

Question is..

does it fit?

does it look right?

why are you worried then?

Title: Re: Original vintage tank or import copy?
Post by: Bear640 on November 05, 2018, 10:29:13 AM

If all you need is a tank to finish a bike project then fit an Indian made one until you find an original... if that’s what you want.

Title: Re: Original vintage tank or import copy?
Post by: stevestriumph on November 05, 2018, 03:19:57 PM

So I am not "worried" and I paid $100.00 USD. My thought was to resell but I need to know if it is original or not in order to do that. I'm still not sure.

Title: Re: Original vintage tank or import copy?
Post by: mini-me on November 05, 2018, 05:11:03 PM

you probably got more chance to find an original in USA than here. That's about 75 quid in £££ so you got nothing to complain about.

A genuine tank in that condition over here will set you back well over £500  possibly near to 1000 the way things are going.

You can't judge by the chrome either as you can get far higher chrome over there than you can here, that tank would cost 500 to chrome here.

But then again you lot over there do like shiny stuff ;)