Author Topic: Early Alloy Tank Identity Help  (Read 11779 times)

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Offline Mick D

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Early Alloy Tank Identity Help
« on: May 29, 2015, 08:51:35 PM »
In need of some old school knowledge.
Just arrived from the UK today.

I am wondering what it could have originally come from? Or been adapted from?

I know one thing who ever made it was/is an absolute craftsman 8)




« Last Edit: May 29, 2015, 08:56:14 PM by Mick D »
"light weight, and it works great"  :)

Offline mick25

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Re: Early Alloy Tank Identity Help
« Reply #1 on: May 29, 2015, 08:54:31 PM »
It looks like a honda tank , I seen one on eBay a couple weeks back it was orange in colour xl100 I think and it was alloy  , will try and look it up
« Last Edit: May 29, 2015, 09:07:59 PM by mick25 »

Offline Rosco86

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Re: Early Alloy Tank Identity Help
« Reply #2 on: May 29, 2015, 09:27:24 PM »
There is a specialist alloy tank builder in The UK called "the tank man" maybe one of his. Excellent craftsmanship, does one offs but is expensive. Looks like a great pickup.
Ross

Offline GMC

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Re: Early Alloy Tank Identity Help
« Reply #3 on: May 29, 2015, 09:50:46 PM »
The ribs on top remind me of something European but I can't think what!
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Offline Mick D

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Re: Early Alloy Tank Identity Help
« Reply #4 on: May 29, 2015, 09:53:25 PM »
Hi Mick and Rossco :)
I just googled "The Tank Man" ,,,,so far only multiple reference to the Tiananmen Square Man :-[

Yes I reckon this tank is as cool-as too Rossco.
Didn't need it, but just had to have it ;D I think it's called tragic, well its a nice name for it anyhow ::) ;D
"light weight, and it works great"  :)

Offline Mick D

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Re: Early Alloy Tank Identity Help
« Reply #5 on: May 29, 2015, 09:59:57 PM »
The ribs on top remind me of something European but I can't think what!

I have a vague Web-memory of a similar alloy ribbed style over the years Geoff, but cant recall any details.
 
« Last Edit: May 29, 2015, 10:05:01 PM by Mick D »
"light weight, and it works great"  :)

Offline firko

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Re: Early Alloy Tank Identity Help
« Reply #6 on: May 29, 2015, 10:11:12 PM »
I think it's a Husky works tank made in the UK by Lyta Mick. I gave one to Husky Pete for his Husky.

'68 Yamaha DT1 enduro, '69 Yamaha 'DT1 from Hell' '69 DT1'Dunger from Hell, '69 Cheney Yamaha 360, 70 Maico 350 (2 off), '68 Hindall Ducati 250, Hindall RT2MX, Hindall YZ250a , Cycle Factory RT2MX flat tracker, Yamaha 1T250J, Maico 250 trials, '71, Boyd and Stellings TM400, Shell OW72,750 Yamaha

Offline Mick D

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Re: Early Alloy Tank Identity Help
« Reply #7 on: May 29, 2015, 10:13:54 PM »
I think it's a Husky works tank made in the UK by Lyta Mick. I gave one to Husky Pete for his Husky.

Thank Firko, at least mine will make it home without a tow rope ;D
"light weight, and it works great"  :)

Offline firko

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Re: Early Alloy Tank Identity Help
« Reply #8 on: May 29, 2015, 10:49:36 PM »
Ooops...it's the Maico tank made by Lyta. Different profile to the Husky version that the works riders used in the late 60's.
'68 Yamaha DT1 enduro, '69 Yamaha 'DT1 from Hell' '69 DT1'Dunger from Hell, '69 Cheney Yamaha 360, 70 Maico 350 (2 off), '68 Hindall Ducati 250, Hindall RT2MX, Hindall YZ250a , Cycle Factory RT2MX flat tracker, Yamaha 1T250J, Maico 250 trials, '71, Boyd and Stellings TM400, Shell OW72,750 Yamaha

Offline pokey

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Re: Early Alloy Tank Identity Help
« Reply #9 on: May 30, 2015, 08:59:03 AM »
Firko is spot on as usual. Its a Lyta as the tank cap is a give away. Lyta made some if the best looking tanks in the day and still a damn nice product. Wish i had a few. They mostly did road race stuff for nortons and alike but a lot of huskies had them . Ive never seen a maico version. Most lyta ive seen have side profiles for knee grips. Good score.

Offline Mick D

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Re: Early Alloy Tank Identity Help
« Reply #10 on: May 30, 2015, 04:08:22 PM »
I was most certainly waiting in hope for Firko's contribution. There is no doubt that he is a wealth of info, particularly the older obscurities that rarely made it to Oz.

In the absence of "proof" I am still not convinced that it is a "Lyta". I have examined a few Lyta's, I would consider their craftsmanship to be good to very good in some cases, but by no means first rate. The fabrication design and welding of this tank is/was first rate.

Pommy bikes had to have metal tanks to be able to compete, so I imagine the demand would have given rise to there being way more than one Pommy tank builder and craftsman. Most builders would and did choose the readily available Monza cap arrangement.

I have googled info and images on Lyta and cannot find this style(center section and ribbed)
Cz aluminium tanks were of the same design principle?

The one I saw with similar construction style was on a Pommy trials bike, I forgot to save it, but knew I should have ::)

This tank has a very wide backbone tunnel. Haven't measured its volume, but it would not be a lot.
"light weight, and it works great"  :)

Offline Mick D

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Re: Early Alloy Tank Identity Help
« Reply #11 on: May 30, 2015, 04:15:43 PM »
The one I saw with similar construction style was on a Pommy trials bike, I forgot to save it, but knew I should have ::)

I do recall it was the subject of an old school black and white picture for sale on Ebay.
"light weight, and it works great"  :)

Offline Rosco86

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Re: Early Alloy Tank Identity Help
« Reply #12 on: May 30, 2015, 06:47:27 PM »
Sorry Mick that tank manufacturer is called "the tank shop" in Dumfries in Scotland, had contacted him to make a speedway tank until I got put in contact with the original manufacturer Edwin Smith in London.
Ross

Offline Mick D

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Re: Early Alloy Tank Identity Help
« Reply #13 on: May 30, 2015, 07:09:01 PM »
Thanks Ross.
I will go looking.

I have tried it on some bikes today (Maicos), doesn't fit the 64.
Looks pretty good on the latter 4speeds though, especially if it had a custom seat to fit the tank seat join junction point.

Ps Ross: I saw in an earlier thread you were looking for 19" trials speedway tyres for tuning, practice runs on that speedway bike you and your son were building??
I have found a couple for you, one is all but new ;D
You can have them, when are you coming through Newcastle next?

"light weight, and it works great"  :)

Offline HuskyPete

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Re: Early Alloy Tank Identity Help
« Reply #14 on: May 30, 2015, 07:31:36 PM »
Lyta tanks as used by the Husky factory riders ;)

1967 360 Viking, 1969 360 Cross, 1974 250 Mag x 3, 1974 400 Cross x 1, 1974 450 WR, 1975 250GP, 1976 250 WR, 1978 390 Auto, 1982.5 500 Gold Bullet. 1976 390 OR, 78 CCM