Repop tanks for 41 Chief?

[Jim]

Jim, I have a '46 & '47, they (except badges) look identical to me. I am no expert other than cleaning them over and over. I'll be happy to take photos if you wish.
Pete

Thanks for that offer, I'd like to see the "top" as my picture looks, but I don't want you to take yours apart just to "see". If it looks like either of yours, then that's fine.

I think 40-45 had one badge,with 46 different.Mounting brackets are soldered to tank,not sure if same.
47 tank would have three threaded bosses soldered on inside for the script emblem,not shown on eBay tank.
Iron horse made nice welded tanks and I am surprised nobody took over.
Tom

That's weird... my tanks only have TWO holes and two screws for the script. The script also has a black background paint. This is the top of my tanks with the Speedo but no cover on. You can see the shape of the "oval" where the speedo goes. I'll have to post a photo of it. The tank also only has two holes for the screws. I'll have to get a close up pic of the Indian script.


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[Jim]

Here are my "script" emblems on my 1946. Both are the same with 2 holes. Right hand shift (not that it matters). I have not removed the right side emblem so I don't know what's underneath the I, but the left side only had the two holes in the tank. They were threaded screws. Looking at Greers site, the Indian names there with 3 holes are NOT in the same place as my "two hole" version. Hmmmm....

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[tfburke3]

Script was 47-53 with three holes.My guess would be tanks are 38-47 for your tear drop gauge panel.
Possible third mount hole filled to match two hole repro emblems on the one year only 47 with 3 holes and teardrop dash.
But I could be wrong.

Tom

[Jim]

Script was 47-53 with three holes.My guess would be tanks are 38-47 for your tear drop gauge panel.
Possible third mount hole filled to match two hole repro emblems on the one year only 47 with 3 holes and teardrop dash.
But I could be wrong.

Tom

Looking at the 3 hole emblems on Greers site, the holes are not even in the same place as the holes in my emblems. The holes on my emblem are in the first n and the a. Whereas the repro ones on Greers site are at the Top and Bottom of the letter I and the 3rd hole is in the last n. Well, I didn't expect to start a whole new "issue" about the Indian Script on my tanks. At this time I don't want to "scratch" any paint off just to "peek" underneath the paint. What are the odds of these tanks being repro tanks with 2 hole repro emblems?? Maybe I'll remove the name again and take a photo of what it looks like underneath where the name is now.

[jim d]

Maybe you can look inside the tank with a light and mirror if needed to look for a third mounting point.

[Jim]

Maybe you can look inside the tank with a light and mirror if needed to look for a third mounting point.

I just looked into my tanks and there are only 2 screws/holes on the right side. One in the oil and one in the gas section. The left side I can't see past the baffle so I only see the ONE screw but I should be able to see TWO screws for the letter "I" in the Indian script. Neither side has the screw "Bungs". BOTH tanks show just a screw poking through the tank. Neither one ever leaked gas. So... now I'm wondering if my tanks are from the older Pre-1947 tanks that had NO HOLES for badges and someone had drilled/tapped the holes for the Indian Script. Which also makes me wonder.... WHO made the 2 hole Indian Script name badges? I feel like I'm hijacking the original thread... sorry.

[Jim]

I did end up buying the tanks from an India Ebay seller and they fit perfectly. The workmanship is VERY NICE. They took about one month to arrive after I purchased them and I was extremely satisfied by the look and fit of them. I bought the set that does NOT have any screw holes. Then I ordered the brackets from Jerry Greer for the badges used on a 1946. If anyone NEEDS tanks, I bought the tanks from this guy on Ebay. Danish Auto Parts He also sells tanks for VL Harley BMW and I think Matchless. They come bare metal. He pressure tests them for leaks and to double check before priming I did fill them with gas and they're GOOD to go. I just now need some warmer weather to prime & paint them. The ONLY minor thing was the gap at the top of the tank where the rubber fits is almost 1/8" wider yet they measure out the same on that lip (weird). So, the original rubber I had would just about fall through. I 'could' use some black silicone to hold it, but instead for now I ordered a H type rubber 13mm wide which is a bit wider than the original and I may use that. You just can't beat the price of $565 with free shipping from India. These tanks are heavier in weight too. The threads for the oil and gas bungs were also correct and screwed in nicely.

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[PaulCDF]

" I just now need some warmer weather to prime & paint them. "

Last winter I taped newspaper on the walls of our spare bathroom shower stall and it made a good paint booth for small parts. Even had and exhaust fan!

[tfburke3]

I did end up buying the tanks from an India Ebay seller and they fit perfectly. The workmanship is VERY NICE. They took about one month to arrive after I purchased them and I was extremely satisfied by the look and fit of them. I bought the set that does NOT have any screw holes. Then I ordered the brackets from Jerry Greer for the badges used on a 1946. If anyone NEEDS tanks, I bought the tanks from this guy on Ebay. Danish Auto Parts He also sells tanks for VL Harley BMW and I think Matchless. They come bare metal. He pressure tests them for leaks and to double check before priming I did fill them with gas and they're GOOD to go. I just now need some warmer weather to prime & paint them. The ONLY minor thing was the gap at the top of the tank where the rubber fits is almost 1/8" wider yet they measure out the same on that lip (weird). So, the original rubber I had would just about fall through. I 'could' use some black silicone to hold it, but instead for now I ordered a H type rubber 13mm wide which is a bit wider than the original and I may use that. You just can't beat the price of $565 with free shipping from India. These tanks are heavier in weight too. The threads for the oil and gas bungs were also correct and screwed in nicely.

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Thanks for posting your feedback on the India tanks and seller.It seems several retailers are selling these and I have been looking at a set,but different year.
I suggest you tighten the rear and one front bolt and then check for gap on mount with no bolt so you dont flex the tank when tightening.I use thin rubber washers between tank and frame which would make your strip gap even worse.I think I would solder or weld thin strips to correct before paint.
Tom

[Jim]

Thanks for posting your feedback on the India tanks and seller.It seems several retailers are selling these and I have been looking at a set,but different year.
I suggest you tighten the rear and one front bolt and then check for gap on mount with no bolt so you dont flex the tank when tightening.I use thin rubber washers between tank and frame which would make your strip gap even worse.I think I would solder or weld thin strips to correct before paint.
Tom

I got that new 13mm H TYPE rubber strip today and it looks like it will work fine. Just a bit wider than the original. Thanks for your suggestion on tightening the bolts, I'll try that too. I did notice other sellers making Indian tanks, but the reason I chose this guy was due to the feedback he received from other gas tank buyers. I searched allot of his feedback and looked for "tin plated" which gave me results on all if his gas tanks he sold that had feedback. I didn't find any issues. Some other seller on Ebay selling Indian tanks looked like his Oil tank Bungs were missing. Anyway, I'm happy with them and I'll look at that "gap" issue when it's warmer out. At least it'll be ready for Springtime!

[41Chief]

Just an update on my repop tanks.

When I got them, I tested fitted them and had to oblong out a few holes to get them to fit on the frame. About 1/16 to 1/8 or so on the right tank. What I did NOT do is try to hookup the fuel and oil lines and put the dash cover on. That was a mistake. I painted the tanks which turned out really well and started putting the bike back together a few days ago.

The fuel petcock on the right tank was not far enough forward so it did not clear the cylinder head. I would guess 1/8" to 1/4" +-. Instead of the petcock I put on a 90 degree npt to hose barb fitting and then replaced the copper fuel line with a rubber hose. At the moment, I cannot turn the fuel off on the right tank.

Also on the right tank, I could not put all the oil lines on because the cylinder head fins and the spark plug was in the way. I had to do some 'engineering' to get all the lines fitted. i would guess the 4 oil line fittings on the tank should have been about 1/4 to 1/2" further forward.

The left tank fit the best.

What I *should* have done when I tested fitted the tank is fit everything. Engine in the frame with carb on, dash on, oil and fuel lines hooked up, stock hardware, ....

My bad, but i got everything hooked up. I did seal and pressure test the tanks before painting, so, *hopefully* no issues there.

My bike will never be a show bike. 12V conversion, CV carb, electric start, 4 speed overdrive synchro tranny, Harley buddy seat, a few extra chrome do-dads.

[PaulCDF]

Thanks for the update.