Aluminum RD400 tank.

irk_miller · January 10, 2025, 08:06:37 AM

I built my RD from a bunch of parts I collected, which included a fiberglass tank made by privateers in the 80s. The glass tank had crash damage, but it was solid and seemed repairable. Despite the liner, it stilled weeped a bit and bubbled the paint, so I decided to retire it to the shelf collection to avoid worse damage. Then a friend hooked me up with a stock 400 tank, which was dent free, but the bottom turned out to be rusted paper thin. Living in this tank hell and watching the crazy prices people ask for 400 tanks on Ebay and at swaps, I decided to take a chance on one of the India tanks sold on Ebay. It sold for $390, plus $100 shipping. Took about 5 weeks to be made, shipped, and pass through customs. I figured a polished aluminum tank would be cool as hell. I do a lot of etched aluminum sign making, emblem making and printmaking. Plans are to etch the Yamaha logos into this tank at some point. THey list a bunch of brands and styles of tanks, including polished and unpolished aluminum, painted and unpainted steel. Not sure if anyone else has tried these tanks. The fit and finish is really good. It fits to my frame exactly like the stock and fiberglass tank. The one somewhat major difference seems to be a longer knee dent. The logo area is about 1.5" shorter and the tank is about .5" taller, so a little more voluminous. For me, neither is an issue.

m in sc · January 10, 2025, 09:11:55 AM

wow. that's really good actually

85RZwade · January 10, 2025, 09:51:26 AM

great looking tank and a crazy cool bike

RDnuTZ · January 10, 2025, 10:38:15 AM

irk_miller · January 10, 2025, 11:12:48 AM

Check out the selection: https://www.ebay.com/str/aakashshukla14

It's pretty impressive. Don't be fooled by the number in stock. At least with mine, they didn't make the tank until I ordered it, which took about 2.5 weeks. The TZ seat and tank options are pretty sweet. I was hoping to find an aluminum version of my seat, which is an MT125R GP seat. They're impossible to find anywhere in fiberglass let alone to find someone who makes an alloy version. I may have to make one myself.

350GUY · January 10, 2025, 02:42:08 PM

Looks spot on! The extra volume also gives the bike a beefy macho look!

Dvsrd · January 10, 2025, 03:09:49 PM

Very nice! Was the cap included? And have you weighed it? Also curious how much lighter than a stock steel RD400 tank it might be.

irk_miller · January 10, 2025, 03:33:37 PM

Quote from: Dvsrd on January 10, 2025, 03:09:49 PMVery nice! Was the cap included? And have you weighed it? Also curious how much lighter than a stock steel RD400 tank it might be.

It came with cap installed, plus a petcock. It's made to fit a stock cap.. They formed the flange themselves. It's good work, but doesn't have a removeable hinge plate.
It weighs 3.02 kilograms. The stock tank I have with a liner, petcock and cap weights 3.82 kilograms.

SoCal250 · January 10, 2025, 06:32:31 PM

The eBay listing states "with inner coating". Can you confirm that's the case? If true, I wonder what they used and how durable it will be?

The tank is larger because I believe it's modeled on the Oceania/EU 400 tank, which is slightly larger capacity than the US version. 16.5 L vs. 13 L
In my book that's a great update!

irk_miller · January 10, 2025, 07:34:02 PM

Quote from: SoCal250 on January 10, 2025, 06:32:31 PMThe eBay listing states "with inner coating". Can you confirm that's the case? If true, I wonder what they used and how durable it will be?

The tank is larger because I believe it's modeled on the Oceania/EU 400 tank, which is slightly larger capacity than the US version. 16.5 L vs. 13 L
In my book that's a great update!

Thanks for the info on the Oceania Tank. I would never have known that. It does not appear to have a liner. I'm waiting a response from asking that question, but definitely looks like bare aluminum and scratches like bare aluminum. TBH, I prefer to line it myself, if it's even necessary.

Kawtriplefreak · January 11, 2025, 10:56:33 AM

I love it

RustyRD · January 11, 2025, 11:09:31 AM

Looks great, how long did it take to arrive, from date of order to your doorstep?

m in sc · January 11, 2025, 11:12:42 AM

it does look good. if i had anything ( a special) that required a 400 tank id consider it for sure.

irk_miller · January 11, 2025, 02:03:54 PM

Quote from: RustyRD on January 11, 2025, 11:09:31 AMLooks great, how long did it take to arrive, from date of order to your doorstep?

I ordered it on December 9th and it arrived January 8th

2steve · January 11, 2025, 08:52:46 PM

Good to hear of an India tank that fits.
Wondering about the RZ350 tank that normally has a bad reputation from India.
Thank you for posting the link for the seller!

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Aluminum RD400 tank.