Hitchcocks Forum

Good Evening Folk's..[2005 Bullet AVL 350] Just Noticed Both rear Tank Mounting Brackets have Sheared (Dodge Welding) off my Bike !
Now being Poor.."Do's it Really Need them? as the tank do's not leak,Its Firmly held at the Front! and is otherwise Ok, I Put a Bit of Foam along the Tunnel under the Tank to deaden any rattle and (as its my daily bike) leave as it is,,So to Finish where I started:Q: India Bullet Tank Do's it really Need the Back Fasteners/Brackets...? Cheers Craig

The tank full of petrol is still going to be bouncing up and down as it did before only now it is only held by the front crappy welds..

What happens when they break?... Repair it now you know it makes sense..

Short term? Probably not. Long term? I would replace them. Just be very, very, very sure that you have got rid of all traces of petrol before welding (Or brazing?)

It is a common failing, mostly due to thin brackets, and incorrectly spaced out (washers) for the top motor mount which sees the mounts bend.


For all the work that is involved in removing the remnants of the failed mount, and replacing it with a decent stronger item, it is much simpler and easier to weld (hard solder) a short stud to the rear of the tank, sit the tank on a double fold of carpet atop tank frame tube, and loop a heavy duty 'rubber band' (O ring) around Stud and under the frame tube...


I have been doing such for years. Plus tank removal becomes simpler and easier.

Have to agree not worth repairing, if you have to, Tim NZ method is the way to go

Whatever repair or mod you make just remember you will have to stand by and watch the MOT chap examining your handy work...

If you can do that with confidence and not feel anxious then you know you have done the right thing..

Due praise, or a thick ear, lecture over...

Get the tank steamed out & get it welded. You know it makes sense.

hi, never understood rubber mounting front end of the tank and not the back. This happened to me and I removed the rest of the bracket and rubber mounted the rear on an old innertube four layers thick if pressed down hard on the frame it will not come loose, Been like that 10yrs and no vibration. Vince
PS I have one frame with the same mounting at back as front, even Jack Gray of Ganders & Gray said it was the only one he had seen! but enfield did weird things, have you seen the cast 500 frame in used parts section!

Thank you Gentlemen...Yes TIM I remember Quite a Few Brit Bikes (& Chops) With a rear Ruberband attachment might Try-it (Well at least ask the Blacksmith how much).and you to Vince as I would of thought on my Old Enfield with a Twin seat the seat alone would hold the tank on, But with my single saddle it do's let the Tank Flap a bit ;0) .. ..
However Gwiliy "Crappy Front Welds" I would of thought the Front would Last as long as the Tank's Side wall seeing as its part of the Tank.
But thank for all your Imput,I will Price up a Weld and Bodge in the mean time.

Could you not use Araldite, JB Weld, Devon or similar, rather than welding or brazing the tank which could ruin the paintwork?
Frank