Topic: Help from England... (again)?

[Uncle Ernie]

I got an alleged 400 frame in England and the guy brought it to Unity Equipe so they could make a tank for me.
I know- I spend stupid sometimes but I don't have kids.  However, I no longer have a job right now, either.  The tank is well made, but it sure isn't going on a 400 frame, either (see photo). 
Jackie at Unity has said she will send a picture of the frame so I can try to figure out what the tank is really for.  I've waited a long time... 
I need some advice;  Is anyone close by who might go there and look at the frame to see if it's really a CB400F frame?  If it is, is there any legal recourse I have to get my money back?  If I at least knew what the frame is- if it's the wrong frame- at least I could put the tank on E-bay and recoup some of my money.
Unity Equipe is in Castleton, Rochdale   Lancs   (I have no idea what that means)
Below is the stock tank on the right, and what they sent on the left~

[tsflstb]

Crap, did the frame have the coils mounted?  It looks like it fits over the backbone.  Maybe you could still use it and relocate the coils?

[Uncle Ernie]

The stock tank is pretty flat along the "spine", and wider & open at the very back to accomodate the frame itself.  The new tank is too long over all, but the inside curves down and the back is closed off or boxed off- not open like the stock tank.  I put it on the frame- there is no way this tank will fit a CB400F.

[supersport_CB400F]

If you bought the frame from ebay then that was a 400F frame minus coils and that looks like the problem as already mentioned. I can pop over to the place for you but weekends only and on the bike if the weathers good.
They still wear clogs in that neck of the woods and they’re not the sharpest tools it the tool case, PM the phone number of the shop and the invoice ref and any contact name/names you might have and I’ll call them in the morning, it’s late here now so the shop will be shut. I can get over there but only weekends if ithe shop is open then.

Cheers

[Uncle Ernie]

Well, here are 2 more examples of why I don't think it was made for my bike.  The inside and back of the tank just aren't right.  I will PM the info, though. 

[crazypj]

Are the numbers still on the frame? even if the are, the fact the coils were removed means the tank probably fitted the frame. It could also be a 360 frame which is very similar to the 400
PJ

[Bodi]

No, the tank wouldn't fit a 400 frame coils or not, as UE states. The clip thing on the rear of the stock tank attaches via a rubber thingy to the frame just ahead of the airbox/toolbox hole. A replacement tank would need a channel to clear the frame. The expensive tank pictured might sit on top of the frame at the rear (but probably just interfere big time where the frame widens out) but will be at a strange angle and won't look at all right. Plus the coils won't fit.
I can imagine the feeling when you tried the tank on your frame.

[supersport_CB400F]

I agree with all thats been said that thing won’t work, PM sent UE check online when you get out of bed Friday morning.

Cheers

[Uncle Ernie]

Rev Biffta Sir,
Some more pix as requested;
Shows how the underside is curving down to a boxed end- how will this fit over the frame ?!
2 more showing it's too long and too narrow  (the garage is too dark this time of day, but it gives some idea)
Even if it did fit over the frame, I'd need to shorten the seat by about 4 inches.  Here in the mountains with the turns we have, I tend to sit far forward- not back.  Maybe it weights the front wheel more...?

[Sam Green Racing]

Paul, can you show us a pic so as we can see the whole tank sitting on the bike ?

Sam.

[crazypj]

Your right, its not for a 400, unless you have a modified frame.
Looks too narrow for a 550 or 750 as well??
 Do you have a picture of the frame he took to UNITY EQUIP ?
The rear is designed to have rubber bands around frame to hold it in position.
PJ

[Uncle Ernie]

Unity sent Zip files and no one has the ability to see them.  The previous owner says he has pictures, and biffta is in communication with him.  He's in the RAF and I think he may be on manoevers or something right now.

I was already pretty confidant that they got the right frame.  I'm SURE the tank wasn't made for a 400 tank.  The say it's longer because it's a racing tank, but it has notheing to do with racing.  The tank won't fit. Wrong tank.
For the sake of my venerable and highly regarded pal of many years, Samer, I shall attempt to provide a picture.

[Uncle Ernie]

that's exactly what it does- sit ON the bike

[Uncle Ernie]

Here's just the seat. Had it done in the pattern of a GB500 on the stock pan.  I think it might look kind of clunky now, though...

[supersport_CB400F]

UE, have you sent that pic of the tank to Unity?

Cheers

[DME]

that's exactly what it does- sit ON the bike

Uncle,
if its not too much hassle, could you remove the coils and seat (and any other stuff the tank hits except the frame)?
It would be very intresting to see how the tank sits on the frame with nothing in the way.

Cheers
Dan

[Uncle Ernie]

biffta- I am waiting to get your advice...

DME- the FRAME is in the way.  As shown above, it is too narrow. In addition, where the frame sort of "Y"s out, the tank closes in to a boxed end (see the underside on page one).  The tank being so narrow, I can't even get the front on to the mounting nubs (or what ever they're called).

[Sam Green Racing]

Paul, who supplied the tank to Unity in the first place ?

I am closer than Dave to Unity but wouldn't know a 400 frame if it fell on me.

If Dave is going over to Unity he could perhaps pick me up on route, 2 heads better than 1

Sam.

[supersport_CB400F]

UE,I’ve sent an email 

Cheers

[supersport_CB400F]

Paul, who supplied the tank to Unity in the first place ?

I am closer than Dave to Unity but wouldn't know a 400 frame if it fell on me.

If Dave is going over to Unity he could perhaps pick me up on route, 2 heads better than 1

Sam.

Sam, I let you know whats happenig I think I'll get a call back from the shop when they see the photos!

Cheers

Dave

[DME]

biffta- I am waiting to get your advice...

DME- the FRAME is in the way.  As shown above, it is too narrow. In addition, where the frame sort of "Y"s out, the tank closes in to a boxed end (see the underside on page one).  The tank being so narrow, I can't even get the front on to the mounting nubs (or what ever they're called).

Yeah, I looked closer on the image and could see the coil already hanging loose.
Really feel sorry for you mate, to spend the cash, buy the frame and have it transported to them, wait eagerly, and when it turns up it doesn´t fit....
For whatever reason (wrong frame, cross-eyed manufacturer, wrong shipment, etc....) it´s a real BUMMER!!
Tank looks well made though (as if that would make anything better   )

Good luck
Dan

[Uncle Ernie]

Dan, Trouble is my middle name.  This is the least of them.

Samer- I happen to know where you can get a really good deal on a 400 frame ! That's supposed to be a racing tank, so if you have anything that looks like that tank might fit, Unity would probably consider offers on that, too.

[Sam Green Racing]

Paul, where did Unity get the so called CB400 frame from that they made the tank to fit, have they still got it ?

Sam.

[Uncle Ernie]

Jackie, the proprietess I guess, said she brought the frame back, but I'm getting the impression from Dave that it's "at the tank makers".  Who or where that is, I don't know.  It sounds as if the tank was contracted out.   
 David gets first dibs, but if he's not interested, you're welcome to it. 

[Sam Green Racing]

Ok Paul, I'm not really interested, I was thinking more along the lines of helping you sort the mess out.

If it's Unity that have messed up, they should refund you're money.

I'll wait till I hear from Dave.

Sam.