XS650 flat tracker project - tank ideas?

[400bandit]

Hello all. For some time now me and my dad have had a XS650 sitting in the garage with the intention of turning it into a mean street/flat tracker. Well now the ball is finally about to start rolling. It's going to have some extensive modifications to it such as; bored out to 840cc, head ported and polished, a 90 degree re-phase and then some... We are ok for all the parts for that side of things but so far the biggest problem is sourcing the right tank. The original is a touch too big and not too pretty.
We really want one like the one on this XS650 https://www.650motorcycles.com/ScottPickett.html
I have got in contact with the man but the only thing is he uses a fiber glass tank. I'm pretty sure that’s not legal over here for starters and it seems a touch unsafe too. So here is the big question, can anyone think of a similar tank that is not fiber glass? I was thinking along the lines of classic 60's trials bikes? It's got to be small and keep that nice shape.
I'll follow up this project with a full write up when it is complete but that will not be for some time yet.
I will be grateful of any information that is received
Joe
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Current Bikes 650 Honda Bros, VTR1000 Firestorm // Past Bikes: Sachs Madass 50/110cc - Bandit 400 - FZR750
(+ a XS650 in lots of pieces in my garage and other places...)

[Bezzer]

If you're spending that much effort on engine mods you may as well spend a bit of money on the cosmetics as well so everything is spot on.
Check these out and drool
https://www.thetankshop.com/

BTW fibreglass isn't illegal aftermarket wise and for some old bikes that used to have them. They wouldn't pass type approval for a new bike, think they were banned in the middle to late 60s from being approved after some poor buggers were burnt to death when they split in accidents. Not even worth considering if you did find one.
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I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite so sure.

[400bandit]

Thanks for the link, have just sent them an e-mail
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Current Bikes 650 Honda Bros, VTR1000 Firestorm // Past Bikes: Sachs Madass 50/110cc - Bandit 400 - FZR750
(+ a XS650 in lots of pieces in my garage and other places...)

[stinkwheel]

It's like a small, flattish teardrop one you're after then. The one in that picture is like a tank off a custom-type bike but mounted flat instead of at an angle.

Off the top of my head, the XV125 Virago.

a CA125 Rebel

or the good old SR125

[400bandit]

Thanks for the ideas guys, keep em' coming. I had thought about the yamaha 125 before but it's not quite right, I like the little bit of curve in the tank on the flat tracker.
Many thanks again, Joe
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Current Bikes 650 Honda Bros, VTR1000 Firestorm // Past Bikes: Sachs Madass 50/110cc - Bandit 400 - FZR750
(+ a XS650 in lots of pieces in my garage and other places...)

[sickpup]

That looks like a Steve Stortz tank.

Fibre glass and plastic tanks are legal these days. Triumph and Ducati both use them.

[400bandit]

Are they safe though? The thought of one cracking open is too pleasant but if they were safe then that would make things a whole lot easier.
Joe
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Current Bikes 650 Honda Bros, VTR1000 Firestorm // Past Bikes: Sachs Madass 50/110cc - Bandit 400 - FZR750
(+ a XS650 in lots of pieces in my garage and other places...)

[yambabe]

Which XS650 do you have, is it a standard or a US Custom "Special?"

Cos I reckon the tank off a custom special is what you're looking for, the standard XS tank is bigger and squarer.

https://www.650motorcycles.com/NeilPetrie1.jpg
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[400bandit]

Yeah it's a special, if it comes to it we'll probably stick with it, it's just I love that tank on the other XS...
Joe
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Current Bikes 650 Honda Bros, VTR1000 Firestorm // Past Bikes: Sachs Madass 50/110cc - Bandit 400 - FZR750
(+ a XS650 in lots of pieces in my garage and other places...)

[MarJay]

[yambabe]

Have a look at Virago tanks definitely, especially the early XV750/700 ones. They are similar to the XS but a bit smaller and more "pointy". IIRC the fittings aren't too difficult to bodge either.
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[sickpup]

[yambabe]

Another tank that might do the job and should fit on fairly easily is one off a DT175, an early one with a screw-on cap. It has the same mountings as the XS650 and you might well be able to pick one up in a breakers.

https://members.sparedollar.com/fastpart/tankdt175al.jpg

That one is a bit beaten-up but you get the general idea?

Also a 70s TS250 (Suzuki) might be about the right shape and size but not sure how easy it would be to adapt it to fit on.

https://photos.motorcycle-usa.com/Web/suzukits250port.jpg
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[yambabe]

Back again! Have you got a kit for the 840 bore-out or are you going to do it yourselves?

Mate of Himself did one a few years ago using Ducati/Corillo con rods and CX650 turbo pistons. They bored the liner to fit and ended up with around 900cc in the end. Apparently they could rev it to about 9k without any damage cos the pistons had no weight to them at all!
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[ZRX61]

Do a web search for Shell Thuett...

https://www.ahrma.org/machines/scott_yam.htm

[400bandit]

Once again thanks for all the help guys. As for the bore kit, we have one sourced but it's coming from Australia! Sounds like a lot of effort but the reason for this is he has designed the pistons for the XS650 head and have a compression ratio of 12:1! It's not going to be a cheap project, not by a long way but it is something that my dad has wanted to do for a long time. Will keep everyone posted with progress.
Joe
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Current Bikes 650 Honda Bros, VTR1000 Firestorm // Past Bikes: Sachs Madass 50/110cc - Bandit 400 - FZR750
(+ a XS650 in lots of pieces in my garage and other places...)