Triumphrat

lowrider · 05-29-2007

Some people claim that many bikes have a tank seam or a rolled edge at the bottom as a cost savings measure by the manufacturer. What is it about the rolled edge that acutally saves on costs? How much does it actually cost to produce a nonrolled edge like a Harley tank vs the type found on a Bonnie? If it is only a few hundred bucks, I'm sure many Bonnie owners would gladly ante up the cost difference.

CAPTDON · 05-29-2007

Idunno I got some fender molding -chrome. Comes in carious colors. Looks like it came from factory & goes well w/ the chrome kit on the bike. Seam?? Who cares?? :???:

decobike · 05-29-2007

What seam? I'm just PO'd that my tank bag put a hairline scratch on the paint that I can't get out with Meguiars. Looking down I can't see any seam though just that d*mn scratch.

Tbone4j · 05-29-2007

I agree, the tank seam is one of the first things that turned me off. When someone makes an after factory tank I'm on it. Maybe Triumph monitors these sites and will change it in the future. I have seen a large tank on a Bonnie, it was too large IMHO, the shape wasn't right. I put a black rubber strip around mine and it is a little less noticeable. The chrome trim looks too Kragen/Auto Zone for me, It reminds me of that plastic/chrome spiral wire wrap. I have heard alot of people comment on the tank seam, and how it bothers them on Triumphs. It seams less noticeable on the black tanks. ~T~

johnsime · 05-30-2007

DecoBike

Buy a chrome tank trim and you'll not see the scratch as much - New Bonneville.com

"the trim down the center of the tank is a vinyl 3M adhesive backed “chrome” strip meant to resemble chrome strips that were used to cover up the tank seam on vintage bonnevilles. the trim is 3/8” wide.

$7.95

Everybody tells me it looks really good.

Cheers

Normandy · 05-30-2007

I don't like the look of the seam either but I don't think Triumph put it there for $ savings, it's a drip rail to keep water off the engine when it sits in the rain. :-D

Iceseven · 05-30-2007

The seam doesn't really bother me and it probably adds rigidity to the whole tank plus maybe more leak proof, who knows. I remember brazing my 1974 Triumph tank on the bottom because of leaks after years and years of gasoline contact.

lowrider · 05-30-2007

I find it hard to believe that after 215 viewings of this post no one has suggested a reason that a rolled edge or bottom flange tank is less expensive to make. Come on Bonnie owners. I'm counting on your years of experience and extreme intelligence to solve this question. Must I resort to the Ducati monster list forum?

webonnielad · 05-30-2007

Hi Guys

Personally compared to all the problems I used to have with my old Brit bikes, even with my rose coloured glasses on, the tank seam doesn't bother me.

The main thing is that the tank is made of a good gauge of steel, unlike many of it's Japanese counterparts and it doesn't mount with that stupid center bolt bodge up, like old Triumphs.

Look how ugly the mountings on Sportsters are if you wanna see ugly.

Jon (UK)

Iceseven · 05-30-2007

I can only guess that without the seam the tank would have to be welded then grinded flush, it is probably cheaper to press the halves together at the seam with a machine. There is a guy here at ratnet that ground his seams down and welded it. I think the seam is pretty common (BMW, Ducati, Jap bikes).

When you start to lose sleep over your tank seam then look up a photo of a Ducati Monster now THERE is a tank seam.

[ This message was edited by: Iceseven on 2007-05-30 14:43 ]