1957 Sportster Gas Tanks - Early and Late Year Models

Classic short-frame models

1957 Sportster Gas Tanks - Early and Late Year Models

Postby GaryM2 » Wed Dec 12, 2018 10:03 pm

I have 3 - 1957 Sportster Gas Tanks that I am getting ready to paint. In researching how the color lines intersect by the tank badge, and wondering how the lines continue on to the inside of the front tunnel, I followed up with Jack Raino about his 1957 original paint tank.

Jack told me that there were 2 types of 1957 tanks - differing with the petcock hole. Thanks for letting me know about that Jack!

It turns out that I have 1 early tank, and 2 later tanks.

****From an earlier Post******
Notes on the 1957 Sportster tank

Jack R. says the early 1957 tanks had a petcock location almost an inch rearward of where they later settled. It's not clear when it moved, but Dave C. seems to think as many as 500 left Milwaukee that way. Jack agrees, as he has found three of them.
************


See pics for the difference:

If anyone is looking for a 1957 Sportster Early Tank with the rearward petcock - possibly used up to the first 500 bikes, PM me and we can discuss a sale or trade.

Thanks,
GaryM2
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GaryM2
 
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Re: 1957 Sportster Gas Tanks - Early and Late Year Models

Postby thefrenchowl » Thu Dec 20, 2018 6:07 am

I bought this tank a few months back and believe it is a 1958 because the badges were 58 and OEM assembled with the funny alloy rivets, steel grip retainers and cork underlay washers:

Image

T'was repainted black at some stage, but OEM finish is still under the badges:

Image

Is that a 57 tank?

Patrick
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Re: 1957 Sportster Gas Tanks - Early and Late Year Models

Postby Yard Dog » Thu Dec 20, 2018 11:56 am

Holiday Greetings !

Based on the paint scheme , it appears to be a 57 tank. Petcock location indicates early version although when change occurred still speculation.

Jack
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Re: 1957 Sportster Gas Tanks - Early and Late Year Models

Postby thefrenchowl » Fri Dec 21, 2018 6:56 am

Thanks Yarddog,

I fitted the tank and petcock yesterday on my 1978 XLH, what a tight fit!!! And next to a Keihin that doesn't extend to the front as a DC Linkert...

Still had to mod slightly its accelerator pump ramp/cam to clear the petcock...

Have to wonder if these 500 / 1st batch Sportsters had a petcock... Or rather, like XLCH, had the angled 61601-54 fitting????

Patrick
Flat Head Forever
https://web.archive.org/web/20071011184353/http://www.harleykrxlrtt.com/index.htm
I'm the one who has to die when it's time for me to die so let me live my life the way I want to...
thefrenchowl
 
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