Early Alloy Tank Identity Help

[Mick D]

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

[mick25]

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

[Rosco86]

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

[GMC]

The ribs on top remind me of something European but I can't think what!

[Mick D]

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 I think it's called tragic, well its a nice name for it anyhow

[Mick D]

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.
 

[firko]

I think it's a Husky works tank made in the UK by Lyta Mick. I gave one to Husky Pete for his Husky.

[Mick D]

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

[firko]

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.

[pokey]

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.

[Mick D]

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.

[Mick D]

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.

[Rosco86]

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

[Mick D]

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
You can have them, when are you coming through Newcastle next?

[HuskyPete]

Lyta tanks as used by the Husky factory riders