Custom Tanks

13879 Views 35 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Calliway, Feb 25, 2009

Bonnie-Sunshine

Discussion Starter · Feb 22, 2009

2

Not sure if this has been done before. I've done a search, but not a lot came up. Would love to see pics of people's custom tanks. Particularly custom painted tanks, but custom alloy tanks would also be neat. Mine's below but am considering changing it. Currently in the style of early 2000ish tanks.

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1 - 20 of 36 Posts

rodburner

· #2 · Feb 22, 2009

2

Not what you were hoping for,but I never pass up a pic opportunity.

Narrowed 2 inches and the flanges removed.

and its current sanded steel and bedliner "paint" scheme.

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davidc

· #3 · Feb 22, 2009

Ooooh, that is a scary looking bike, Rodburner! Do children cry when it is near? Do dogs howl? I'll bet cops are ascared to pull you over...The Deathcycle!

rodburner

· #4 · Feb 23, 2009

I don`t know Dave,I can`t hear any crying or barking over the scream of the pipe.

As far as the cops,because I have all the required lights and mirrors,they have not been bothered to stop me yet.I did get pulled over once while the bike was in its bone stock configuration though.

Pops

· #5 · Feb 23, 2009

Very Original

Rodburner,

Very cool. It makes me think "Modern Bobber". It has the minimalistic approach but in a street fighter set up. I like it. I am too old and fat for it but I like it!

Pops

rodburner

· #6 · Feb 23, 2009

Pops,I`m 53. Probably 185lbs. Thats why the bike had to go on a diet,cuz I sure as hell wasn`t gonna.

Pops

· #7 · Feb 23, 2009

Older but lighter

rodburner said:
Pops,I`m 53. Probably 185lbs. Thats why the bike had to go on a diet,cuz I sure as hell wasn`t gonna.

Well you got me by 4 years but I've got you by 100lbs and the diet just is not working. I am going to have to find a different way to look cool cause laying my big belly on the tank ain't gonna cut it!

I have been looking at different paint themes from different years and am not sure what I want to do with my bike yet. I have a silver standard bonnie but am looking at some of the older two tone paints. The PO had replaced the front fender with a chrome fender and I am thinking of going back to the matching fender with a stripe to match a second color on the tank. I found what I believe is an early 2000's Red/silver with the red on top that I really like. I think my style is going to be more retro cafe.

Pops

Bonnie-Sunshine

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 23, 2009

I agree RB, a very original tank so it falls into the category of "custom". But would love to see some of those other original ideas out there. There must be plenty of owners who have had their own version of classic tanks painted up or gold star version.

blight

· #9 · Feb 23, 2009

Bonnie-Sunshine said:
I agree RB, a very original tank so it falls into the category of "custom". But would love to see some of those other original ideas out there. There must be plenty of owners who have had their own version of classic tanks painted up or gold star version.

Hi ya...it's not my idea, and I haven't even done it to my bike (yet) but I really like the low-profile street tracker tank and seat combo. (like Omar's Racing)

For me, the stock Triumph tank has a bit too much of a 'hump' on the top. I would prefer it to be flatter and lower.

I think a tracker tank would look sweet on a Bonneville, Thruxton or perhaps better yet a on a Scram. Here's a Photoshop pic 'what-if' on my Thruxton combined with an old image from Omar's gallery of customer bikes.

I would likely go with a different color scheme like the Caspian Blue tank and seat with silver side panel combination though.

Cheers,
BLIGHT

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blight

· #10 · Feb 23, 2009

Air-Tech here in the USA also has some nice fiberglass tanks, fenders and seats for our bikes....here's a link and a pic:

http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/triumph/bonneville2001-06.htm#price

Cheers,
BLIGHT:motorbike:

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blight

· #11 · Feb 23, 2009

blight said:
Air-Tech here in the USA also has some nice fiberglass tanks, fenders, seats etc. for our bikes....here's a link:

Be sure to scroll the page UP to see the pics and not just the pricing.

BLIGHT

Bonnie-Sunshine

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 23, 2009

Airtech tanks

Thanks Blight, those tanks look really interesting. I have no idea how durable fibreglass is when it's mixed with fuel, but they sure look good.

blight

· #13 · Feb 23, 2009

Bonnie-Sunshine said:
Thanks Blight, those tanks look really interesting. I have no idea how durable fibreglass is when it's mixed with fuel, but they sure look good.

I know Omar's lines their tanks to handle today's more aggressive gasolines. The additives (oxygenators) here in CA especially make the gas into more of a solvent and can potentially soften some old fiberglass epoxies.

Newer resins and lining eliminates the problem. I have used fiberglass tanks in the past with no issues, and I know Omar's has many happy customers...look at the 'Customer Gallery' section to see some customer creations (mostly XS-650 twins)

http://www.omarsdtr.com/

I especially like this slim tank for my bike (3.5 gallons too!):

Cheers,
BLIGHT

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Bonnie-Sunshine

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 23, 2009

4

Black and Green seem to be a theme

Here are a small selection of superb custom tanks which I've come across on here (none are mine and all copyrights respected). However, I've noted that variations on Black and Green seem to be a theme, which is not surprising really.

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Bonnie-Sunshine

Discussion Starter · #15 · Feb 23, 2009

The Tracker Style

Blight if you like the flat tracker style of tank, you may like the version The Tank Shop is offering in the UK.

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Sheepdog

· #16 · Feb 23, 2009

My tank is a stocker, but the paint is custom...an homage to the '65 Bonneville. The paint is Pacific Blue and Silver Sheen with gold coachlines:

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coelacanth

· #17 · Feb 23, 2009

2

I've always wanted to get a custom made tank. I currently have stock tank with with custom paint job.

Anyone in the US actually got custom tank from Tank Shop from UK?

I'm thinking shipping, custom fees, paint job would add up quite a bit.

Omar's custom fiberglass tank with "secret ingredient" looks very interesting, too.

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bobbo

· #18 · Feb 23, 2009 (Edited)

My local dealer in Munich had this little beauty made up. Only a paint job, but damn is it nice.

Bonnie-Sunshine

Discussion Starter · #19 · Feb 23, 2009

Sheepdog that is a beautiful bike.
Coelacanth, I personally love the orange tank. You've done a great job with the orange and black combo. Bobbo, I can appreciate the colour and style. The bike is a looker.

champ7fc

· #20 · Feb 23, 2009

fibreglass tanks

Not to rain on anyones parade but, I have personal experience with the deadly aspect of a fibreglass tank. In 1972 I was involved in an accident with a large auto. The gentleman if I may call him that pulled out in front of me at a intersection. I impacted his left front fender. At the time I was a proud owner of a 1972 Norton Commando with a fibreglass tank. The impact crushed the front end into and under the frame bowing the frame center tube splitting the fibreglass tank in two. Voila, crispy critter I became as I sailed over his hood in flames with both handle bars in my hands. Moral, Fibre glass tanks are not designed to remain intact in a serious collision. Just a caution to those entertaining installation of one on their street bike.

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