Triumphrat

jntroisi · 02-12-2009, 03:19 PM

Get ready for a little rant.
I'm a fence sitter, debating an 09 Bonnie T100.
Love the Bonneville's appeal to nostalgia with modern technology. Hate the seams on the bottom of the tank! I know it's a little more to mfg a seamless tank, but my God, it drives me insane and I don't know if I could deal with it. When I look at a Bonnie, it's the first thing my eye is drawn to.
That being said, has anyone got rid of their seams? If so, what was the remedy?
Thanks for listening to me whine.
James

propforward · 02-12-2009, 03:28 PM

If you hate them that much, the best remedy is to buy a different tank. I think Norman Hyde, among others, make them.

To get rid of the seam you would have to cut the whole seam flange off, and re weld and paint the tank. Lots of $$s I expect. Getting a custom tank is likely easier and less expensive.

I suppose you could try dressing the seam with something too.

davidc · 02-12-2009, 04:35 PM

Someone here - or elsewhere - ground it down pretty far before a repaint; don't know if I'd try that. I do not care for it either, so I learned to ignore it!

Pokeyjoe · 02-12-2009, 04:47 PM

I was thinking of getting some of those black car door edge protectors and running them around the seam.

Pythas · 02-12-2009, 05:49 PM

I rather like it myself, I tend to hook my fingers into it while relaxing at long traffic lights, reminds me somewhat of the way the Norton Atlas tank feels - though on that bike the seem blends in with outward appearance as the tank sits ontop and around the frame, but it gives the same general feel.

CAPTDON · 02-12-2009, 06:05 PM

Just what we did. I used chrome door molding on my B&C and mate used black on his BB. Looks rite on!! Check my pic in album captdon posted by grey goose

Sheepdog · 02-12-2009, 06:11 PM

Not surprisingly, this topic has come up before. Many find the seam to intrude...particularly on tanks that are painted in a lighter color. When I changed my color scheme from Goodwood Green/Aztec Gold to Pacific Blue/Silver Sheen I started to obsess on the seam. My solution was to use black door-edge moulding. It really minimizes the objectionable flange and looks good enough to cool my obsessiveness. Photos below...
Before (please ignore the red box around my mixture thumbscrews):

After:

dkreidel · 02-13-2009, 12:04 AM

This is funny! People used to go nuts over the tank seam on the 60's Triumphs and spend a lot of money grinding it down, re-welding and re-painting ---nothing has changed!

Dick

ruger · 02-13-2009, 12:53 AM

This is why I got the Black model. It doesn't seem to show the seam as much. But it's there all right and I swear I won't buy another bike that has it. Screams "Price Point". "Cheap".

But then I've also really had it with tube tires, carbs, chain maintenance, crummy analog odometer, poor fuel mileage, short range, hugely wide seats, cleaning spokes, checking oil through a window ..........

propforward · 02-13-2009, 07:14 AM

Ruger,

Sounds like you are in need of a CAR!