Longrange Fastback Fueltank Fabrication

Is there anyone familiar with just how to fabricate a Longrange fueltank? I think it consists of a roadster bottom and an Atlas top section but I'm not sure. I know people have made these in the past due to the short run of tanks used on these models. Any information would be very much appreciated.

Thanks
Joda

The long range tank is actually an Interpol (police version) without the radio tray.

That being said, the shape is very much like the Atlas. Ross Thompson builds Commando tanks from Atlas tops and his own fabricated bottom. I can personally recommend the workmanship that Ross does. Truly a master metal worker.

I have an Interpol tank with the radio tray, I am having a tank bag which fits widthways shortened 2" to fit lenghtways. Got an Interpol single seat plus have a spare interstate seat that will have the locating ears moved to suit to give seating flexibility. The ears on an Interpol seat are midway ish between the roadster and interstate positions. I get a bigger tank than the roadster, a tankbag that looks made to fit and a seating position not too far back like the Interstate.

I have several fastback seats and only have to remove the ears on the front and then rstitch the cover---I think that is all the longrange seats are. Anyway I will look into the link for the tanks. If the price is within my budget for this project I'll get one.

Thanks for the leads.

Joda

My impression is that the Fastback LR tank is made from a slimline Dommie top pressing with a fabricated underside. The underside is not a one-piece pressing like the Roadster. You'll also find, if you have the later double sided coil bracket that this will need 'relieving' on the rear edge. The LR tank was originally fitted with the early single-sided bracket and although it later changed, it doesn't seem that they did anything about the lack of clearance.

The LR correctly has the filler on the left hand side. An Atlas would seem to have it on the right but some earlier Dommies on the left - Roy Bacon's Norton Twin restoration has lots of interesting pictures.

If you're buying at a distance, watch out for Lightweight tanks, they look similar but they aren't.

This is an original tank underneath :-




The LR Fastback seat extends 12" forward of the centre of the mounting studs. I don't know how this compares with a standard fastback. If you need anything else measuring, just ask.

Cost

I wrote to Ross and this is his reply:

Hi Jean
The cost to convert an Atlas tank to Commando Longrange (I call it a
Comatlas)type would be $550 plus stripping cost $60 and any large dents that
need repair would be extra. I have a jig that I make the new Commando bottom
up on out of 18 gauge steel. The better the outer shell of the Atlas is the
less it will cost to convert. I don't care what the bottom of the Atlas tank
is like because I don't use it so if you have a tank that is cracked at the
back on the bottom of the tank that is ok to use. I have a Comatlas tank on
my Commando (in the photo I sent) and I love it because I can put 4 gallons
of gas in it and not worry about running out. Talk to you later.

Ross Thompson
Ross Thompson Metal Finishing
www.execulink.com/~rosst

Pic of one of his modified tanks

Here's a tank Ross did for me. When you use the Fastback seat you have to add about three inches to the front of the seat. Because the tank is that much shorter. It does make for a more room for two up riding.

Man, I love those Black peaashooters!

Well Paul , they are 1 5/8 Viking Black chrome 1325.00 a set to your door. Oh and if your lucky there will only be about a year wait for them.
This picture shows the flush mount cap we tried it now sports a standard Atlas cap. Just getting this ready for an eBay sale coming up this next week end. If you need a turn key touring bike PM me and spare me a few more gray hairs.

No room for any more bikes right now.

The owner of viking called me about theose Black pipes, quoted me a bit of a reseller discount .

Still, a bit too spendy for Mr. El Cheapo Grande.

Unless I sell a couple of rolling projects on e-bay in a week or so.

norbsa48503 said:

Here's a tank Ross did for me. When you use the Fastback seat you have to add about three inches to the front of the seat. Because the tank is that much shorter. It does make for a more room for two up riding.

Click to expand...

Beautiful bike. Why go back to an Atlas cap rather than a flush mounted one?

Jean

Flush mount was problematic for two reasons. Because of the need to breathe the flush mount took about a half gallon of capacity away from the 4 1/2 US gallon it will hold now. And then on hot days it could get a bit fiddly to turn and than there was always the paint right at the edge of the hole chipping.

Makes a lot of sense. The only thing I am worried about with the classic Atlas cap is getting it stolen. I haven't thought about it, but a chain with a plate inside the tank could do, or just don't park it where you can't see it ;-) Seriously, I am thinking of getting one made for my Fastback (my fiberglass tank is desintegrating every day) and I will ask Ross to add a little loop where I could secure a steel cable to attach the cap.

Jean

That's very pretty and really seems to go with the classic lines.

Where are you based? I have an original fibreglass long range tank but need a fast back seat swap perhaps?
Hayden

I have several fastback seats and only have to remove the ears on the front and then rstitch the cover---I think that is all the longrange seats are. Anyway I will look into the link for the tanks. If the price is within my budget for this project I'll get one.

Thanks for the leads.

Joda[/quote]