Topic: It's a Merry Christmas, or, I love NOS parts!

[GroovieGhoulie]

After my tank bodging debacle, I found and bought a new NOS 400F tank.  Still in the Honda box, it's brand new.  Yeah I paid too much, (I REALLY hate thinking about it) but I "had to have it" and when I "freshen" the bike to "new": powdercoat frame/swingarm, etc, rechrome exhausts and make it look brand new, this tank'll fit right on.  It's staying in the box for now.

Pics:

[cbjunkie]

i KNOW that must feel good! 

that SS tank is my absolute favorite tank style...i'm jealous it won't fit on my 750... 

[Objectionableone]

Nothing like some beautiful NOS parts.    I have some NOS parts for bikes that are long gone, but I couldn't stand to get rid of the left over parts.    

[Bob Wessner]

I have some NOS parts for bikes that are long gone, but I couldn't stand to get rid of the left over parts.     

Wow, you have it bad. I think there's a 12 step program for that. 

[jsaab2748]

...and just think of all that nice CLEAN fuel you'll be delivering to your carbs....yeah, you don't need no stinkin' inline fuel filters

[GroovieGhoulie]

Well after my incident, I kinda got fuel tank crazy.  I bought another (FAR cheaper) one that is a bit of a snotter with a little surface rust on the bottom but the inside is clean.  The top has a few very minor dings and I'm gonna sandblast it, prep it, paint it Parakeet Yellow, decal it, POR-15 the inside and have it as an "everyday" tank until I restore the bike.

The existing tank has the dent right where my right knee goes and is the perfect place to do homemade knee scallops.  I think I'm going to buy a deadblow hammer and hammer in some slight knee scallops for the "Cafe" look, then paint it black.  Then I can switch tanks depending on my mood: Redhead, Blonde, or Brunette.  And the black tank will go with the '76's black sidecovers for a "Black Bomber" look.

I am excited.

[Objectionableone]

I have some NOS parts for bikes that are long gone, but I couldn't stand to get rid of the left over parts.     

Wow, you have it bad. I think there's a 12 step program for that. 

I think you must want to be cured first:

My name is Ben and I don't have a problem

 

[Bob Wessner]

My name is Ben and I don't have a problem

 

 

[pmpski_1]

So, are you actually going to put gas in that someday? 

[GroovieGhoulie]

So, are you actually going to put gas in that someday? 

Yep.  Once I re-do the parts of the bike I want, it goes on.  Until then I'm going to run the snotter tank that's been redone or the "cafe" tank I'm building out of the one that's on there now.

One question though:

The new tank has that dinky "lock" which I don't like, but it also won't hold the cap down.  I think it's faulty or the rubber is so new I can't push it down ahrd enough to grab.  Anyway, how much of a job is it to replace it with the regular thumb latch that's on my current tank?  Also, does anyone know a source for the regular latch? DSS doesn't have them.

[Uncle Ernie]

I never saw one of those lock thingers before- how does it work?  So- now I'm jealous. I remember when you could just go to the dealer and get a tank for pretty cheap- at least compared to what I was paying for BMW tanks. I'm going to put my OK tank in a safe spot, but out of curiosity, where did you come up with this one?

[Raul CB750K1]

Maybe you didn't install the rubber gasket well. The lock catch shouldn't give any trouble. If you remember I broke my thumb latch and, as I couldn't find any on eBay -can you when you need it most?- I bought the lock type. Installed it and later found the thumb latch, but decided not to install it. The lock catch is convenient, installed with a small bolt and not a rivet. I can always install the thumb latch when I get my bike out of comission.

Raul

[GroovieGhoulie]

I didn't install the rubber, it was complete when I got it, but the rubber's so new and "full" that I think I'm not compressing it enough.  I would much prefer the latch though, so if I find one, I'm going with it.

I've looked on the parts fiches but they only show the lock.  Does anyone have the part number for the latch?  Maybe I can find it on one of the parts sites...

Uncle Ernie, I saw it on eBay and the seller said he had it advertised elsewhere and would end the auction early if it sold.  I hwas traumatized by the tank dent and was weak, so I said I'd buy it right from him.  It came from England so shipping was a pain as well.  It hurts to think about it.  I probably paid too much but I "had" to have it, you know?

[Raul CB750K1]

How much is too much? I refused to buy a completely NOS Candy Gold CB350 tank for 375 bucks + 75 bucks shipping. I can have mine sealed and painted for about 200 bucks.

And this is because the tank is in bad shape. My CB750 have some small scratches but I will leave it like that. If you have a new tank then use it. It will profit you more being shown than being kept in a box.

I can look for the latch number but don't waste your time asking for it, it was superseded long time ago. You will find it on eBay listings every now and then. Surprisingly, I'm tracking a gas cap and latch that ends in one hour and is on 24 bucks now. You can always buy a rusted tank for five bucks, and tell the seller to remove the latch for you, send it, and discard or relist the tank if he wants...

Those latchs are made of "plastic metal" -whatever the real name is- and my impression is that, sooner or later, they break. I recently posted that I removed the one of my CB350 tank before sending it to the painter. I was lucky to remove the rivet without drilling but, unfortunately, I slightly bent the latch because of the punching. A slight pressure with the pliers trying to recover the original shape was enough to break it. The lesson? Buy a 30 bucks lock latch that will outlast me, and find a cheap thumb latch for in case my gransonds want to restore grandpa's bike to original condition. Live and learn...


Raul

[GroovieGhoulie]

Too much is slightly more than your Candy Gold 350 tank.   

I figured the latch was superceded.  Damn.

Oh well.  I'll try and get this one to work even though it'll take a bit.  The lock latch works (I've used my finger to activate it, but it seems to want to go down further to lock than the cap can be pulled.  I've pushed the cap down until the rear is nearly touching the tank (compressing the crap out of the rubber seal) and the thing still won't latch.

I'm debating sending my current tank out to have the dent pulled and repainted and then re-do it while I use the snotter tank for a cafe tank.

[Raul CB750K1]

Is it the Honda latch or an aftermarket? The Honda latch works even better than the thumb latch, and closing the cap is a one-hand operation. Post a picture if you have a chance. I recall I took some pictures when I replaced mine but they are at the USB hard drive at home.


Raul

[GroovieGhoulie]

I'll put up a good pic of the latch tonight. 

[dusterdude]

wow!,i like that blue.

[6pkrunner]

For an NOS tank thats factory fresh - there's a sight that can stand a lot of coins put into it. Breaks 4 digits, well then that's a bit much.

[heffay]

hey guys!  the opening of closing of these caps is not meant to be a "one handed affair" 

push down on the cap and push the latch! 

they are designed to be used in that fashion otherwise you will end up with a busted latch (or one that only kinda works)

[Raul CB750K1]

hey guys! the opening of closing of these caps is not meant to be a "one handed affair"

push down on the cap and push the latch!

they are designed to be used in that fashion otherwise you will end up with a busted latch (or one that only kinda works)

That's correct, but I was talking about the Honda "lockable" latch. You just have to turn any key (even a flat screwdriver will do" and the cap will pop open. You don't even have to touch the cap or the latch.


Raul

[GroovieGhoulie]

For an NOS tank thats factory fresh - there's a sight that can stand a lot of coins put into it. Breaks 4 digits, well then that's a bit much.

It's well-entrenched in triple digits.  NO worry about four digits! 

[heffay]

hey guys! the opening of closing of these caps is not meant to be a "one handed affair"

push down on the cap and push the latch!

they are designed to be used in that fashion otherwise you will end up with a busted latch (or one that only kinda works)

That's correct, but I was talking about the Honda "lockable" latch. You just have to turn any key (even a flat screwdriver will do" and the cap will pop open. You don't even have to touch the cap or the latch.


Raul

good raul.  i just wanted people to know the method... we've actually had the discussion somewhere else on the forum and it seems that some people needed a refresher course 

[supersport_CB400F]

hey guys!  the opening of closing of these caps is not meant to be a "one handed affair" 

push down on the cap and push the latch! 

they are designed to be used in that fashion otherwise you will end up with a busted latch (or one that only kinda works)

After 26 years of owning my 400F I don’t think I need a refresher course in opening a tank or an engine, come to think of it 

[heffay]

wasn't talking to/about you!

   ... come on biff

[supersport_CB400F]

Heff  if Ghoulie’s tank lock is as tight as the one I have …it’s lots of pressure to open and close…more than you would expect not a nice thing that you like to do with an expensive new tank…..I reckon it will free up with use 

[GroovieGhoulie]

I fiddled with it and was able to get it to lock.  REALLY took a good WHACK! on the gas cap.  Using the key worked to open it.

I wonder why Honda used a fake lock to close it.  I mean if they were looking for a better latch design, they could have gone with a conventional turn latch instead of one pretending to be a lock.  Maybe to discourage would-be gas thieves?  It was after the oil "crisis" in '73.

[supersport_CB400F]

From what I’ve read Honda changed the lock because some guy got his nads (called goolie’s here in the UK…. Ghoulie what a name to pick  )  caught up on the cap (and it opened) in a crash and lost them  and so sued Honda….so they put the  key lock on or anything lock as it really is. It may be for other reasons but I’ve never seen any other explanation.

[heffay]

damn... ghoulie... hope you got some pain and suffering out of that!  err... um... i mean $ for your pain and suffering 

[GroovieGhoulie]

I guess that makes sense, but even with the "lock" you are still gonna rack the crap out of yourself.  I heard the "nads-bashing" reason as why Honda went to the recessed gas cap in '77.

[cbjunkie]

makes good sense to me...i didn't know it had actually happened, but i can tell you i have spent more time than i wanted to imagining that it MIGHT happen...