Long Range fuel tank for a Commando 850?

[Kiwi]

Hi All

I have just purchased what I am told is the long range fuel tank for an 850 roadster, It is correct for fitting etc on the underside but to me it just looks like a modified Domi or Atlas tank. The helpful chap I got it from told me there were only 400 or so made for the Australian Market.

Anyone shed some light on this?? any photos? I would like to paint it in the original look.

Cheers

Kiwi

[L.A.B.]

I have just purchased what I am told is the long range fuel tank for an 850 roadster, It is correct for fitting etc on the underside but to me it just looks like a modified Domi or Atlas tank.

What I think you have probably got is a 750 'Fastback LR' (Long Range) tank. That particular type of tank wasn't fitted to standard 850 models, and in any case the 850 Interstate model tank was somewhat larger in capacity than the Fastback LR tank.
 
The same or at least a very similar tank to the 'LR' was also fitted to the 750 Interpol, as not all of those tanks had a recess for a tank mounted radio. Not all Fastback LRs were sent to Australia.     

http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Brochures/Brochures.htm
http://www.nortonownersclub.org/models/commando
 



 

[Kiwi]

Thanks!

I knew someone would know about them.

[Kiwi]

Hmmm

Looks like I have a good long range fast back tank for sale soon then. I am going to restore and repaint it as it is in very good condition, I have someone who will do lead work on it and it is currently purple!

[Kiwi]

Apparently they came out in limited number on new Roadsters in the USA, I have a report of a brochure showing this but I have not seen it myself yet.

[L.A.B.]

Apparently they came out in limited number on new Roadsters in the USA, I have a report of a brochure showing this but I have not seen it myself yet.

If there were, then there couldn't have been very many, as I don't recall ever hearing any mention of US Roadsters fitted with LR tanks being mentioned before, although it may be true that some were, and it would be interesting if you could post a photo (or photos) of that brochure if you get to see it or post an Internet link? Also just because a bike built to a particular specification appeared in a brochure, didn't necessarily mean the model made it onto showroom floors, the 850 Mk.3 John Player Norton shown in the '75 'Powerchoice' brochure being one example.

http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Brochures/1970/75PowerChoiceNortonTriumph.pdf

[Kiwi]

I hear what you are saying, I hope to get a look at that brochure this week and will post what I find.

Thanks for your comments

[Kiwi]

I have just opened the October issue of Roadholder and I see the exact tank on the Britton in page 12.
Having stripped the paint off it I have uncovered 4 mounting holes for a rack. ?

[L.A.B.]

I have just opened the October issue of Roadholder and I see the exact tank on the Britton in page 12.
Having stripped the paint off it I have uncovered 4 mounting holes for a rack. ?

OK, so what you probably have is a tank off an Interpol.

[Kiwi]

Right, looks like it.

The dilemma, re-instate the mounting holes or leave them filled in, seems to me the tank will be useful for fuel range and novelty factor on my roadster or are these special enough I should restore to original and let someone else fit it to the correct bike?

Thanks for your input

Cheers

[L.A.B.]

restore to original and let someone else fit it to the correct bike?

You've got it, so you might as well use it.

[Kiwi]

The tank is in excellent condition considering, the lead work was minimal, now I will give it a light bead blast and re-paint it, I am not going to restore the radio mounts at this point unless someone really wants the tank for a restoration and can swap me a mint condition Interstate tank.

Just putting it out there.