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Author Topic: What is this tank?  (Read 8657 times)

Offline VintageBike

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What is this tank?
« on: November 30, 2007, 05:28:37 PM »
Can anyone help me identify this tank?







It has a very distinctive "v" moulding at the rear of the tank that you can see in the last picture.  Obviously a hand change on the right hand side.

It was chromed all over, but has black paint on top.

Any ideas anyone?  

Cheers

Nigel.
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Offline Blue

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Re: What is this tank?
« Reply #1 on: November 30, 2007, 08:49:41 PM »
I was reading something about this just the other day - it wasnt a bike i took much interest in so i cant bring it to mind, but i remember the 'V' at the rear of the tank.  apparently the 'v' was for water run-off ... ill have a flick through my literature and try to find whatever it is
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Offline VintageBike

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Re: What is this tank?
« Reply #2 on: November 30, 2007, 09:56:43 PM »
Someone has suggested AJW.  Ring any bells?
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Offline Blue

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Re: What is this tank?
« Reply #3 on: December 01, 2007, 03:42:49 PM »
Ah yes, the article I read (Classic Bike September 1991) was about the AJW 'Grey Fox', a rather unique bike with a JAP side-valve parallel twin, Dowty Oleomatic forks and (seemingly) no silencers.

However the AJW 'Rain gutter' is different to the 'v' on your tank ... the AJW's 'v' faces the other way and shepherds the water into some sort of central down-pipe.  Whatsmore I gather the rain gutter is a detachable unit.  

So sorry to lead you on, but the triangle on the tank rang bells.

to look at i'd say your tank looks francis-barnett'esque, but i dont know enough about pre-war bikes to be sure
« Last Edit: December 01, 2007, 03:46:05 PM by Blue »
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Offline Dirt_Track

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Re: What is this tank?
« Reply #4 on: December 02, 2007, 07:24:02 AM »
G'day all
1931 New Imperial Model 17.
Howard.
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Offline VintageBike

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Re: What is this tank?
« Reply #5 on: December 02, 2007, 07:55:32 AM »
Wow Howard, that was a pretty definitive answer!  What was it that led you to that conclusion?

Just realised that there is a model 17 in the galleries, but it seems to have a more raised instrument panel than on mine?




Cheers

Nigel.
« Last Edit: December 02, 2007, 07:59:15 AM by admin »
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Offline 33d6

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Re: What is this tank?
« Reply #6 on: December 03, 2007, 07:38:09 PM »
Howard is only 99% right. The tank is Model 16 & Model 17 New Imperial.
The Model 16 & 17 are 1932 models  introduced on 27th October 1931 at the 1931 Olympia Show for the 1932 season and continued til 1935.
The 500cc Model 17 was road tested by "The MotroCycle" on 12th November 1931.
Hiya, Howard. How is Tassie?
Cheers, Bob
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Offline VintageBike

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Re: What is this tank?
« Reply #7 on: December 03, 2007, 07:45:16 PM »
Thanks  a load!  Now for the next question - do you know anyone who is in need of a tank...?

Nigel.
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Offline Dirt_Track

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Re: What is this tank?
« Reply #8 on: December 20, 2007, 07:12:51 PM »
G'day all
It's a good tank and I have emailed a mate of mine here in Australia who should be able to place it for you.
The filler neck is taken up by the top tank panel Nigel, it is a bolt on instument panel on top of the tank.
G'day Bob...Tassie...love it! Believe it or not it is pretty hot tonight...been 30 degrees here in Hobart today.
Howard.
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Offline 33d6

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Re: What is this tank?
« Reply #9 on: December 21, 2007, 12:14:59 PM »
Just to finish this thread off, the New Imperial Owners Association is having its World Rally in Australia in 2008 with a weekend ride from Melbourne to Beechworth and back (about 500 miles all up through the back roads of Kelly country). This is just a boy's weekend away of eatin' and drinkin' and yarnin' at a variety of watering holes and vineyards there and back. It's hard work but someone has to do it. I'm just keeping them company on one of my two-strokes as are a couple of other mates on various old bangers.
We expect to be joined up there by a local New Imp rider which the Australian rep thinks will boost the numbers to make it the largest New Imp rally ever held in Oz. A whole THREE bikes! All of them proper road going bikes that are being ridden and ridden hard. No show'n'shine non runners, no 'racers' that are neither raced nor can be ridden on the road and no 'gunners' (gunner restore it one day).
I'll keep you posted, Bob
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