Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech New tank shape

This is sort've embarrassing to admit, but I didn't realize that the new (starting in 2008, I think) Speedys and Americas have a new tank shape? I noticed when I dropped off my '03 at D&D in Norfolk, VA this past weekend.

Question: What's with the new tanks, why are they shaped differently, and will they work on the older models (07 and back) in a pinch? (Say, if htey stop making the old-style tanks...)

--Jaeger

Fuel injection. There's a portion of the new tanks hows all the electronics and the fuel pump. Someone has published a schematic elsewhere on this site. I'm sure they'll pipe up or you can do a search. I don't know if anyone has confirmed that it will fit an older bike.

You actually like the new tank better? You're one of the few.

NOOOOOOO no no no. Absolutely not. As a matter of fact, I'm more concerned about the availability of the older tanks if they've been discontinued. I'm thinking that picking up an "extra" tank might not be a bad idea.

--Jaeger

Okay, whew. That was close. I'm thinking there will always be tanks available on ebay. There are plenty around not just from wrecked bikes but from bikes that had the paint kit installed. I have two right now, my original painted orange and a second one I'm customizing. I'd consider picking up a third if I found a deal. I already have a third rear fender.

Kissel Motorsports seems to have a perpetual sale on new tank/fender sets on eBay . There's 3 or 4 sets on there now .

Kissel Motorsports is where I bought my bike in State College, PA.

I wonder if it would be profitable for Triumph to offer the old style with the fuel pump door in it. How many would spend that kind of money to get the old style.

****** yeah - I like the new shape better - it's not a giant peanut. But then we all gonna defend our choice of bike as superior

Just won a NOS Tank and Fender kit on E-bay, Cardinal Red with the Checkered Flag design for $256.75 plus $25.00 for shipping. Pretty fair deal, I think

It was from Kissel Motorsports, the same place I bought my bike!

I like the new shape because of the additional fuel it holds for a carb'd bike. With the smaller lowers that I've now installed for the summer, my BA gets over 170 miles to reserve. With no lowers, it's more than 190. That's a real benefit for someone who rides everyday like I do.

I doubt it due to the fuel injection

To each his own, as much as I like my TA, if I had to get the new tank model, I'd probably not get a TA.

The reality is that if you damaged the tank to the point where it was not repairable you'd probably be looking at a new bike because there would be some major bike damage. I dropped the bike on the low side a few times, once at around 20mph and while there was some damage to other parts on the bike, only a very small dent on the tank from the turn signal housing. (The T/S bends back on its bracket). Good reason for relocating the T/S.

So you either buy a spare 07 bike now and keep it locked up or, when it happens, you look for a second hand bike with the old tank.

so what is the deal then? will a 08' bike accept a tank from say a 07' or earlier?