Author Topic: New tank~ opinions on shape?  (Read 3216 times)

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Offline Uncle Ernie

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New tank~ opinions on shape?
« on: September 04, 2005, 09:26:44 PM »
I'm finally going to go to hell in a handbasket while sucking on my thumb; can't wait for the Guz to sell and finally put in an order for an alloy tank for the 400. (Lauphing): "OK, what shape do you want?" says he.  "Well..."says I.  Hadn't thought that far. So- a poll of sorts.

         What shape of tank would look good on a 400 that's going to get a re-worked seat?

Sort of a rounded but flat-sided look? The kind that bulges out hoizontally at the bottom? Wide front w knee indents? Reproduce a 350 tank? What ever-
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Offline kghost

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Re: New tank~ opinions on shape?
« Reply #1 on: September 04, 2005, 09:33:49 PM »
I'm going to buy some foam and carve it up till it looks right for a pattern.
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Offline SteveD CB500F

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Re: New tank~ opinions on shape?
« Reply #2 on: September 05, 2005, 01:14:20 AM »
If you're going "cafe" then I think it has to be longer than standard and probably needs scalloped sides.
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Offline Bob Wessner

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Re: New tank~ opinions on shape?
« Reply #3 on: September 05, 2005, 03:06:27 AM »
I like the foam idea. You get to try out a couple of different options without committing a lot of $$$ to find the shape you like best.
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Offline Uncle Ernie

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Re: New tank~ opinions on shape?
« Reply #4 on: September 05, 2005, 05:29:11 AM »
I want this rideable most of all, so I'm using the stock seat pan and after it gets the cracks welded will just have re-cut foam and new vinyl.  So- no longer tank. Same length and mounting set-up. It's just the shape I need to consider.
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Offline SteveD CB500F

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Re: New tank~ opinions on shape?
« Reply #5 on: September 05, 2005, 05:57:29 AM »
OK. No longer tank.

So has to be a higher rear profile (like a CR)
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Offline Einyodeler

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Re: New tank~ opinions on shape?
« Reply #6 on: September 05, 2005, 12:39:38 PM »
What about something like the GB500 or maybe the older Beemer tanks?
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Offline Uncle Ernie

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Re: New tank~ opinions on shape?
« Reply #7 on: September 05, 2005, 07:19:22 PM »
Yodelboy, I love the colour on that GB! That's a Europe/Jap model? Is it yours? Anyhoo, I'm thinking of that OR the Beemer shape. I really like the shape of the 350/4 tank also. Also like the semi-classic look on my Guz. Maybe I can get a picture of it up here...

oh well. maybe I'll learn how to access my files some day. Here's a shot that gives you some idea, but the detail of the tank is buried somehow.
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: New tank~ opinions on shape?
« Reply #8 on: September 05, 2005, 10:47:19 PM »
What the f*ck are you doing selling that Guzzi? It's beautiful!!! Only decent bike the wogs ever made, well their stuff might be better now, but I had an old bevel drive 900SS, and it was the biggest heap of #$%* that God ever shovelled guts into! It did look nice though, I spent a lot of time looking at it, and swearing...............

My best mate is a Guzzi nut, he's had a T3 and a Mk5 Lemon, and they were great bikes. He had a break for awhile and put his toe in the water and bought a CB750K2, and recently a Suzuki GS1000 (with my blessing, of course!) but is craving another old Guzzi, maybe an SP1000 or even a "Pasta Glide", this time? I'll be happy too, I'll "inherit" at least one his other bikes, and get to ride the Guzzi on occasions too.

I'll send you a pic of my NOS alloy tank I've got for my K2 racer project, it's a 32 litre "endurance racer" tank from the 1970's, (geez, that's about 42 bucks worth of gas!) it looks great, but is awfully big (much bigger than the RC750 tanks) and the last thing you want is something that's gonna dwarf your engine, which is physically pretty small anyway.

The 350/4 tank is a good option, they are an attractive looking tank, or even buying another 400/4 tank and "cutting and shutting" "knee-dents" and "clip on cutaways" into it'd be good, with maybe a modern race type filler? Keep that Guzzi though mate, now that's a mans bike! Cheers, Terry. ;D
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Offline MikeDeB

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Re: New tank~ opinions on shape?
« Reply #9 on: September 06, 2005, 02:29:20 AM »
Yodelboy, I love the colour on that GB! That's a Europe/Jap model? Is it yours? Anyhoo, I'm thinking of that OR the Beemer shape. I really like the shape of the 350/4 tank also. Also like the semi-classic look on my Guz. Maybe I can get a picture of it up here...

oh well. maybe I'll learn how to access my files some day. Here's a shot that gives you some idea, but the detail of the tank is buried somehow.

A good friend of mine is building one of those right now with a green frame and an alloy tank; very similar to yours.  He got his from MG Cycle.  Is yours a T3?  It certainly is beautiful.  Too bad you're selling it; it looks like a keeper.
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Offline Uncle Ernie

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Re: New tank~ opinions on shape?
« Reply #10 on: September 06, 2005, 12:58:18 PM »
Well, after those last 2 missives, I started to doubt myself and went for a good ride; temps in the '70s, intense blue sky with cotton puffs floating by, up into Doggit Mt where the turns never get above 40mph, but most of the time I was in 1st gear. Into tree shadow and out again, down the mountain into great sweepers. Well, you know what I mean...
Terry, I guess I'm not a manly man. Too many operations and too much time. My joints can't take that riding position. The GB is OK, but this is a tad too extreme for a decent-length ride.  Too bad- it's an animal. The sound of those pipes brings a tear to my eye- like going to church.
Well, I'm still considering suggestions for the 400. Keep those cards and letters coming in!

My lovely bride just this second brought in the Telefix clip-ons for my GB I got from the other Terry (seabird in England).  Yippieeeee!!!
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Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: New tank~ opinions on shape?
« Reply #11 on: September 06, 2005, 06:36:17 PM »
Those telefix clip-ons are nice mate, once Mike sends me the new M3 racing cam chain tensioner and slotted cam sprocket I'll be able to screw that 836cc racer engine together and start on the rest of the bike, which of course will feature some Telefix bars also. I just need about 2 weeks of vacation to make it a reality, and if I can make it handle as well as that magnificent Guzzi, (I still think you're mad selling it!) I'll be very happy indeedy! Cheers, Terry. ;D
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline Uncle Ernie

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Re: New tank~ opinions on shape?
« Reply #12 on: September 06, 2005, 06:45:16 PM »
Steve- what's a "scalloped" tank, and what's a "CR"?
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Offline Einyodeler

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Re: New tank~ opinions on shape?
« Reply #13 on: September 06, 2005, 07:11:13 PM »
Hey Unc
No thats not my GB500.I had a chance to buy a used one about 10 years ago right before the move over the big pond,could still kick myself.
That is one nice Guzzi,used to have a LemansIII and an old Eldorado.Loved those bikes,the sound, the feel and the way they want to tip you over on your right side when you blip that throttle at a light ;D
Your Guzzi tank is scalloped = ( knee indentations)
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Offline heffay

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Re: New tank~ opinions on shape?
« Reply #14 on: September 06, 2005, 09:10:02 PM »
uncle~
am trying to get my father to buy your guzzi... how much again?  where should he go to see it (webaddress)...  i agree with the 350 tank but lose all but one color.  they look much better monotone.  stupid stripes make them look boxey and un-cafe like. 
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Past Rides: '72 tc125, '94 cbr600f2, '76 rd400, '89 ex500, '93 KTM-125exc, '92 zx7r, '93 Banshee, '83 ATC250R, 77/75 cb400f

Offline Terry in Australia

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Re: New tank~ opinions on shape?
« Reply #15 on: September 06, 2005, 11:05:59 PM »
uncle~
am trying to get my father to buy your guzzi... how much again?  where should he go to see it (webaddress)...  i agree with the 350 tank but lose all but one color.  they look much better monotone.  stupid stripes make them look boxey and un-cafe like. 

Hey Heff, if your dad buys it, do you reckon he'd adopt me too?  ;D
I was feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't afford new bike boots, until I met a man with no legs.

So I said, "Hey mate, you haven't got any bike boots you don't need, do you?"

"Crazy is a very misunderstood term, it's a fine line that some of us can lean over and still keep our balance" (thanks RB550Four)

Offline SteveD CB500F

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Re: New tank~ opinions on shape?
« Reply #16 on: September 07, 2005, 05:28:28 AM »
Unc - "scalloped" = knee cutouts (as mentioned) - don't know where the word came from.
CR = CR750 as in Rickman
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Offline Uncle Ernie

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Re: New tank~ opinions on shape?
« Reply #17 on: September 07, 2005, 06:38:02 PM »
Scalloped has to do with a type of edge- like a shell or window valance. It also is a type of potato dish (?!) When I was a kid, we used to go to pot-luck dinners in the church basement and several of the old babes would bring scalloped potatos. Cut like thick chips baked in some kind of milky sauce.  Sounds bad, but dang if I'm not salivating...   Steve, did you mean a tank shaped like a potato?

Heffay- who am I to have a website ?! Gee whiz that's hilarious. Anyway, if you're serious, here's my e-mail;
cursethedarkness@bellsouth.net     Write anytime.  Probably not cool to take up space on personal stuff.


                                                                                         Still grinning. That made my day.
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Offline heffay

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Re: New tank~ opinions on shape?
« Reply #18 on: September 07, 2005, 09:25:50 PM »
hey unc... it was kindof a dumb question on my part... you have one right here.
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Offline SteveD CB500F

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Re: New tank~ opinions on shape?
« Reply #19 on: September 08, 2005, 01:25:07 AM »
Steve, did you mean a tank shaped like a potato?
???

You should see some of my potatoes!

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