The Truth Behind Indian Made Gas Tanks

The Truth Behind Indian Made Gas Tanks

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So the word on the street has It that the new Indian gas tanks are great replacement parts for those who are either missing a tank or for those replacing a damaged tank.

I'm sure most of you have probably noticed Indian gas tanks all over eBay or Google images at some point during your parts search.

There is a lot of controversy around these tanks and today I would like to uncover truth behind the new Indian made gas tanks.

Lets get to it...

 

Triumph Gas Tank Listing - eBay

eBay listing from an Indian gas tank seller located in India

 

Most Indian gas tank sellers on eBay always seem to put their spammy company or username over the images making them stand out like a sore thumb.

Indian based sellers have just about flooded eBay with there gas tanks and other various replacement parts.

 

Million dollar question... are the tanks any good?

 

A couple years back I started to notice a big influx of gas tanks from sellers coming out of India on eBay.

Most photos of the new Indian gas tanks appear to be of quality,  just like an original but for half the price of a dented or damaged original tank.

I once contemplated about purchasing a new gas tank for my BSA Lightning, but after reading reviews on forums like www.britbike.com or www.triumphrat.net I quickly came to the conclusion that the Indian made tanks were not of the quality they portrayed to be.

 

Feedback

Based on feedback and what I read online (and been told by my customers personally) that the new Indian made gas tanks are simply a "lump of coal".

I have heard stories that some Indian tanks that where purchased where an exact reproduction.

The quality was spot on but none of the mounting holes lined up anywhere therefore making the tank useless without serious modification - who wants to put up with that?

I have also been told that not all Indian gas tank manufacturers are the same.

The word has it that not all Indian gas tank manufactures are the same on eBay. However, most of them (despite them being different sellers) get them from one manufacturer based out of the Middle East.

 

Borat Dancing GIF

Borat and his buddies dancing

Although no one really knows where these gas tanks are manufactured, many have thrown out the possibility that they could be manufactured in Afghanistan, Pakistan or even Kazakhstan.

Be on the look out

 

When searching for a used gas tank be on the lookout for these Indian made gas tanks as one can trick you into thinking you were buying an original.

Indian gas tanks are typically sold as new replacement parts but many of them slip under the radar and are sold as original gas tanks when they should not be!

 

How to spot Indian tanks

 

You can usually identify an Indian gas tank compared to an original tank by some of the following key details.

Over the years Indian gas tank manufacturers have gotten smart on the way they produce their gas tanks simply because all the negative feedback they have received.

The 3 points as shown below are typical of Indian gas tanks but it's very possible they could have changed there manufacturing process.

#1 Red Gas Tank Liner

 

    Red Gas Tank Liner

    Most Indian gas tanks will have a red tank liner sealer that is typically applied on the inside and sometimes the underside of the gas tank.

    The sealer is to prevent rust and also line the inside of the tank to stop corrosion from occurring from today's ethanol fuel.

    I firmly believe the reason why the sealer is used because there might be small pinholes within the seams of the tank.

     #2 Rust - Corrosion

     Gas Tank Rust

     

    Any new gas tank that would be manufactured today would have some type of coating to preserve and prevent corrosion.

    Indian gas tanks have unusually hi levels of rust deposits despite it being a new gas tank. I believe that has to do with the quality control and the way that they preserve the gas tank during storage and shipping.

    #3 The Shape

     BSA Gas Tank Shape

    As most people always say there's nothing better than OEM.

    Indian made gas tanks when compared to an original tank of the same type you will find that the finish, and the shape will not be consistent as an original gas tank.

    Now I understand that it is very difficult to reproduce a gas tank not using the same stampings or molding from the factory. So I do have to give the Indian manufactures some type of credit by creating a gas tank basically from scratch or from an original tank.

     

    "To sum it up..."

     

    To sum it up I wouldn't recommend purchasing an Indian made gas tank to anyone.

    As previously stated, I do give the Indian manufacturers some credit for at least trying to make a quality product.

    However, most of these gas tanks are not usable therefore its very disappointing because I personally feel like sellers are selling junk and they deliberately know that.

    If you purchased or own a new Indian made gas tank, please feel free to leave use a comment below as we would love to hear your personal feedback on it.

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    Thanks for reading today!


    57 comments

    • john

      I purchased an alloy tank from India advertised to fit an SR500. There was absolutely no way the tank would fit this bike. Seller claimed it would fit if you modified the bike’s frame! Had a lot of trouble returning it. Beware!

    • john

      I purchased an alloy tank from India advertised to fit an SR500. There was absolutely no way the tank would fit this bike. Seller claimed it would fit if you modified the bike’s frame! Had a lot of trouble returning it. Beware!

    • john

      I purchased an alloy tank from India advertised to fit an SR500. There was absolutely no way the tank would fit this bike. Seller claimed it would fit if you modified the bike’s frame! Had a lot of trouble returning it. Beware!

    • Chris

      I am currently having a 28 model tank modified to look like a 25 model for my 350 AJS. The Gentlemen in India seems to know he is talking about and I have no issues yet. Final price has not been discussed yet but I’m sue it will be lot less than the $9,000.00 I was quoted by three local fellas here in Sydney to remanufacture one.
      My current tank is almost a total loss, it’s too thin to weld and full of more holes than my Wifes pasta strainer. I am having a resin coating on the inside of that tank, then a liner, then clear coated over the bare metal with the AJS emblem painted on. It will be useable but it won’t last, at least it will look good on the shed wall.
      As for the Indian manufactured tank, I’ll keep you posted.

    • Barry Lester

      Well 2 years ago my BSA 441cc finally succumbed to eternol, now they never made a small metal tank for the Victor ,Starfire,so i ordered a metal one from India on the Saturday, and it arrived the following Tuesday already in the original red and white.Its been on the bike since with no problems ,They now seem to be advertising girder forks which again i have heard bad press about but as with all things its down to the buyer Keep Safe

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