How to fix a gas tank

No, not with bungee cords. Although that is of course a solution if you are in the south of France and realize that the upper retaining tab on the Fatbob has vibrated off and you have to cover the remaining 900 km to the headquarters by the next morning. Normally, various mounting parts help to attach the tank to different Harley-Davidson models.

On the two-part tanks of F and J models with IOE twins, the singles from 1926 to 1934, the V models and all 750s up to 1954, the top of the tank was shaped so that the two tanks overlapped over the frame tube with sheet metal projections. The tanks were attached to the frame by a row of six bolts with relatively delicate #12-32 threads and six special spring washers. They were supported again on the frame tube under the tank halves.

The later 750s and all Knuckleheads, U-models, Panheads and Shovelhead models with split tanks had welded-on tabs and the tanks each hung on three 5/16” screws. This was fine for the narrow tanks with a total capacity of 3.5 gallons, but there were always problems with the later large 5 gallon tanks. The screws held, but the tabs eventually broke off. After all, with a full tank, over 22 lbs per side was hanging on the tabs. The rubber tank protection rings, which all Harleys had since the early days and which contributed significantly to reducing vibrations, were dismissed in 1947.

Fortunately, the tank halves on the first Softails were then suspended in rubber and the tabs are much more massive. Sportsters, the Touring models and FXR with 5-speed transmission and the Dynas have always had a one-piece gas tank. These problems did not occur. And not to be forgotten: the Touring models, FXR, Dynas and late Sportsters have engine-transmission blocks mounted in silent blocks.

Gas tank mounting parts

Special parts for the original replacement are available for all air-cooled Harleys from the oldest models to the latest. Colony is a strong brand when it comes to such carefully compiled mounting kits. For old Original Equipment gas tanks in need of restoration and chopped 4-speed frames (or aftermarket equivalents), there are also parts available that can be welded on to make the installation of split tanks possible again. Plus, model-specific lift kits and universal tabs from Bates, Dynamite, Lowbrow, The GasBox.