1975 T160 gas tank

[OhKyleL]

I believe I have found a good bike shop just a few miles from my house. Looking forward working with them on getting my T160 up and running. They only do the mechanical work and no cosmetic or body work (That have worked on three other T160s in the past).

My question here is my gas tank looks great on top, but the bottom is completely rusted out. Am I better off trying to find someone who can restore this one, if that is even possible, or finding a new one to replace mine?

 

[Sea Dog]

Usually the inside bottom of fuel tanks look worse than they really are. Has the tank any holes in it?

If the tank is holed, you will need them welded.

No holes and the tank will need a good clean and internally painted using a special paint system. One such system I have used on my T140 and T160 is made by Permanent Painted Coatings (PPC) and the product is POR 15. This product is highly recommended.

You will have great difficulty finding a good T160 tank and if you do, it will be very expensive.

 

[CarlS]

GrandPaul can best answer that. If it were me, I would try to find one. I bought the tank for my '68 from Baxter Cycles. Baxter is a little pricey; but they are honest and very helpful.

http://www.baxtercycle.com/

 

[OhKyleL]

Usually the inside bottom of fuel tanks look worse than they really are. Has the tank any holes in it?

If the tank is holed, you will need them welded.

Sea Dog, yes it has several large holes in it at the bottom, is welding a gas tank a specialty gig?

 

[Sea Dog]

Sea Dog, yes it has several large holes in it at the bottom, is welding a gas tank a specialty gig?

Very much so. Any residual gas or vapor is highly explosive. You may need to put a complete new bottom in the tank. A motorcycle restorer can usually handle this. To give you an idea of cost for a second hand replacement in Australia, this one is for sale on ebay. 150871685326

Good luck and keep us informed of your progress.

 

[grandpaul]

Carl's advice is best.

 

[Rocky]

Carl's advice is best.

I agree. Bite the bullet and pay for a good second-hand tank if you can find one.
The cost may hurt quite a bit at first, but I think you'll be happier in the long run.

 

[OhKyleL]

Thanks all, here is the plan as it stands today. The Triumph has become a long term project for me. Was going to cost me way too much at this point to make it worth getting it running, so I am going to be learning as I go and do much of the work myself. This means it will be a couple years most likely until I have it running. In the mean time I am keeping an eye out for a new tank. If anyone hears of one out on the market at a reasonable price let me know!

To get me on the road with a bike, I bought a Kawasaki Vulcan 750 as a starter bike at a good price. Of course I laid it down within three hours of having it at home and it needs to go back to Cadre Cycle to get worked on. But by the time I have my triumph running I will be an experienced rider.

I am sure I will be posting questions as I learn and need some help to figure things out. Getting ready to order some wall charts to hang in my garage around my makeshift work area.

 

[DaveM]

Well you have come to the right place to ask question as you go along as you will get great help here

 

[CarlS]

Restorations take time. What I learned, painfully, is not to take short cuts. Shortcuts do not pay in the long run. Just progress at your own speed and that which your wallet allows. Two years and more when one is doing his own work is not unusual at all.

Give the folks at Baxter Cycle a call about a tank. Once you find the tank, you will have the cost of getting it painted.

 

[purirhn]

Hello Kyle,

Fortunately, I can help you in this

We've been manufacturing fuel tanks for quite a long time and have a number of different tanks for British, American, German, Italian and Custom motorcycles.

One of our customers is looking for a T160 large reproduction tank and we are unable to find a sample. If you can lend this tank to us, we can make a new tank for you free of cost and will be able to help my customer as well

I am based in India but you do not have to worry about sending it to India. You can ship it to my partner located in California and we have a reliable shipping company who can help us get the tank reach safely.

You can have a look at a number of different tanks made by us (in sheetmetal, aluminum and brass) on his eBay store. Link to his eBay store:

http://myworld.ebay.com/nicoannabto/

You can reach him at [email protected] for more details.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks and Regards
Rohan
Vintage Auto World

 

[CarlS]

That is a nice offer.

 

[purirhn]

That is a nice offer.

Thanks Karl

 

[OhKyleL]

Shipped it out to John today. Thank you this has me fired up to get working harder on this, as the tank was my excuse to not really work on the rest of the bike. I have added your store info to my blog. http://1975triumphtrident.com.

 

[devo]

please keep us updated.

 

[purirhn]

Many Thanks Kyle. Now you need to think for other parts as well

I'll keep you updated.

Have a great day!

 

[purirhn]

Hello Kyle,

How are you doing?

Good news for you. Your tank is ready. Have a look at the pictures in our picture gallery:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vintageautoworld/

Hope you like it

Looking forward to get the shipping details.

Thanks and Regards
Rohan
Vintage Auto World

 

[Rocky]

Wow, those tanks look great
We will be interested in you comments when you receive it.

 

[purirhn]

Glad you like it, Thank you

Wow, those tanks look great
We will be interested in you comments when you receive it.

 

[CarlS]

+1 Great looking tanks. Very nice work.