Re: SER1 Petrol tanks revisited

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From: Iain McKenzie
Subject: Re: SER1 Petrol tanks revisited
Date: 23:08 on 17 Nov 2004

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At 11:08 14/11/2004, you wrote:
>Hi Iain,
>
>I used POR15 sealer on mine, which seems to have worked a treat so 
>far.   The design of the tank seems horrible - the double skinned base and 
>the two mounting flanges are just asking to trap moisture and rust.   Next 
>time I'd be fairly inclined to have a go at making one, or modifying a 
>lightweight tank as it's the same width. (Blanchards have some new 
>ex-dutch army lightweight tanks that they say are far superior to any of 
>the repro tanks around).  Isn't a standard S2 tank too wide?

Will try the POR15 route on her 86" to start with then!
My 86", when I bought it, came with a standard series 2 tank fitted and 
part of the seat base had been chopped out for the filler neck, which 
comprised of the rubber hose bit and a temporary plastic petrol cab bunged 
in the end of the hose. First green laning trip I went on, I slid into 
a  gulley and leaning over at a sharp angle. Whilst my fellow travellers 
attached a tow rope I became aware of a cold wet feeling around ones nether 
regions, as the nearly full tank overflowed down the back of my trousers! 
Nice... (Glad it was diesel).
Anyway, that Series 2 tank seemed to fit ok, (and lasted till I pressure 
washed a hole in it, bodged it up with Blu tack, followed by a fibreglass 
kit). the replacement tank was another series 2 one (that I found in some 
long grass) and converted it as I described earlier.
I assumed the width was the same a series 1 tank, but not sure now.
Looking at the 107" yesterday, the pressings on the side panel on that tank 
seem different again, so maybe thats a lightweight tank on that. doubt if 
its original, not much else is on that one.

>I had a natter with Peter Hughes who seemed fairly hacked off with the 
>hassle of  the club supplying fuel tanks and is considering dropping 
>it.  The club tanks are hand made one at a time by a chap in his barn, 
>apparently, and do tend to vary from tank to tank. Supply is also a bit 
>erratic and he's not sure when they'll have any more in.   It seems the 
>only alternative while keeping the price similar is to find a suitable 
>company to make them, but he'd have to order 100 at a time which is far 
>more than the club could afford or would need.
>
>Looks like there could be a gap in the market here for a better 
>made,  longer lasting Series 1 fuel tank - anyone!?   If I ever need to 
>replace mine I for one would rather pay a little more for a better product 
>than buy a tank that seems to have a very limited lifespan.
>
>Iain, having looked at your website is this something you could do, even 
>as an occasional one off if Peter referred enquiries on to you?

Took me by surprise did that. Hadn't really thought of it, I guess I just 
assumed the supplies were sorted and established.
Don't see any reason why I couldn't do tanks. I'd probably need originals 
to use as patterns, as I very much doubt if any of mine are. I assume the 
filler necks etc are bought in fittings? As for quantities, making a batch 
of 100 would drive me up the wall, but small batches may be more cost 
effective than one offs.
I don't know how much the previous ones were as I think I joined the club 
just as the last ones were being sold. Yr 2000  I think. Guess I need to 
have a go at doing one and see how it goes.

cheers
Iain McKenzie
www.fairmilerestorations.co.uk

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At 11:08 14/11/2004, you wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite><font face="arial" size=2>Hi
Iain,<br>
</font>&nbsp;<br>
<font face="arial" size=2>I used POR15 sealer on mine, which seems to
have worked a treat so far.&nbsp;&nbsp; The design of the tank seems
horrible - the double skinned base and the two mounting flanges are just
asking to trap moisture and rust.&nbsp;&nbsp; Next time I'd be fairly
inclined to have a go at making one, or modifying a lightweight tank as
it's the same width. (Blanchards have some new ex-dutch army lightweight
tanks that they say are far superior to any of the repro tanks
around).&nbsp; Isn't a standard S2 tank too
wide?</font></blockquote><br>
Will try the POR15 route on her 86&quot; to start with then!<br>
My 86&quot;, when I bought it, came with a standard series 2 tank fitted
and part of the seat base had been chopped out for the filler neck, which
comprised of the rubber hose bit and a temporary plastic petrol cab
bunged in the end of the hose. First green laning trip I went on, I slid
into a&nbsp; gulley and leaning over at a sharp angle. Whilst my fellow
travellers attached a tow rope I became aware of a cold wet feeling
around ones nether regions, as the nearly full tank overflowed down the
back of my trousers! Nice... (Glad it was diesel).<br>
Anyway, that Series 2 tank seemed to fit ok, (and lasted till I pressure
washed a hole in it, bodged it up with Blu tack, followed by a fibreglass
kit). the replacement tank was another series 2 one (that I found in some
long grass) and converted it as I described earlier.<br>
I assumed the width was the same a series 1 tank, but not sure now. 
<br>
Looking at the 107&quot; yesterday, the pressings on the side panel on
that tank seem different again, so maybe thats a lightweight tank on
that. doubt if its original, not much else is on that one.<br><br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite><font face="arial" size=2>I had a
natter with Peter Hughes who seemed fairly hacked off with the hassle
of&nbsp; the club supplying fuel tanks and is considering dropping
it.&nbsp; The club tanks are hand made one at a time by a chap in his
barn, apparently, and do tend to vary from tank to tank. Supply is also a
bit erratic and he's not sure when they'll have any more in.&nbsp;&nbsp;
It seems the only alternative while keeping the price similar is to find
a suitable company to make them, but he'd have to order 100 at a time
which is far more than the club could afford or would need.<br>
</font>&nbsp;<br>
<font face="arial" size=2>Looks like there could be a gap in the market
here for a better made,&nbsp; longer lasting Series 1 fuel tank -
anyone!?&nbsp;&nbsp; If I ever need to replace mine I for one would
rather pay a little more for a better product than buy a tank that seems
to have a very limited lifespan.<br>
</font>&nbsp;<br>
<font face="arial" size=2>Iain, having looked at your website is this
something you could do, even as an occasional one off if Peter referred
enquiries on to you?</font></blockquote><br>
Took me by surprise did that. Hadn't really thought of it, I guess I just
assumed the supplies were sorted and established.<br>
Don't see any reason why I couldn't do tanks. I'd probably need originals
to use as patterns, as I very much doubt if any of mine are. I assume the
filler necks etc are bought in fittings? As for quantities, making a
batch of 100 would drive me up the wall, but small batches may be more
cost effective than one offs. <br>
I don't know how much the previous ones were as I think I joined the club
just as the last ones were being sold. Yr 2000&nbsp; I think. Guess I
need to have a go at doing one and see how it goes.<br><br>
<x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
cheers<br>
Iain McKenzie<br>
<a href="http://www.fairmilerestorations.co.uk/"; eudora="autourl">www.fairmilerestorations.co.uk<br>
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