Has anyone fit a different tank to the 400 frame?

[SteveK]

Hey guys,

So before I start doing anything to my new 400 I wanted to investigate any option that would keep my from hammering knee dents in the original tank, since it's in such good condition.

I know that the XS models vary greatly between each other and between each year, making swapping out certain parts very difficult. Has anyone here found a tank that would fit onto a 400D frame without (or even with) modification?

I just want to explore all my options and maybe come out with a tank with more fuel capacity.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[nick3227]

well i did a sportster tank from an 80s harley and just drilled one mount hole in the frame up front but it depends on the look ur trying to go for weather is a bobber cafe or rat

 

[SteveK]

That's cool to hear, Sportster tanks look great. Do you have any pics of it that I can check out?

I'd like to go for the cafe look... So if I find that another XS tank will fit, I'd want to knock some knee dents into it.

I also saw somewhere that there is a possibility that an RD400 tank will fit (with some cursing and grunting of course) which would be awesome considering that already has knee dents and its almost 2gal larger.

 

[volcomskater77]

i used a sporty tank also, if you get one with a deep enough tunnel, it will rest right against the frame rails. heres a pic. and i know drewpy used an RD or DT tank on his tracker.

heres mine

wish the tunnel was deeper, but for 20 bones, i couldnt pass it up

 

[SteveK]

Wow, awesome looking bike volcom. Great job. You've given me a hell of a lot of encouragement to give it a try. Thanks.

Hopefully drewpy sees this thread. I'll PM him and ask if not.

 

[CadXS]

Try the search option on the forum, there is already various threads with discussion about alternate tanks and the pro's and con's of the different ones. Drew had a custom tank built for his tracker that would fit a BMW remote master cylinder underneath for the front brake.

If you are after a cafe look (you mentioned hammering knee dents) try the squarer XS400 tank that came on the European models. This has a pretty good cafe look and no problems with fitment (hopefully...).

 

[nick3227]

i used a sporty tank also, if you get one with a deep enough tunnel, it will rest right against the frame rails. heres a pic. and i know drewpy used an RD or DT tank on his tracker.

heres mine

wish the tunnel was deeper, but for 20 bones, i couldnt pass it up

Posted via Mobile

 

[nick3227]

i used a sporty tank also, if you get one with a deep enough tunnel, it will rest right against the frame rails. heres a pic. and i know drewpy used an RD or DT tank on his tracker.

heres mine

wish the tunnel was deeper, but for 20 bones, i couldnt pass it up

That's the Same way I did my tank and handlebars too I'll have to grab some pics of mine but how do I post them

Posted via Mobile

 

[chkm8]

That's cool to hear, Sportster tanks look great. Do you have any pics of it that I can check out?

I'd like to go for the cafe look... So if I find that another XS tank will fit, I'd want to knock some knee dents into it.

I also saw somewhere that there is a possibility that an RD400 tank will fit (with some cursing and grunting of course) which would be awesome considering that already has knee dents and its almost 2gal larger.

I saw a couple of xs400 square tanks on ebay this morning for $40-$50.

 

[chkm8]

That's the Same way I did my tank and handlebars too I'll have to grab some pics of mine but how do I post them

Posted via Mobile

There should be a guide under the forum news that tells you how to upload photos.

 

[isigt]

There should be a guide under the forum news that tells you how to upload photos.

you mean something like this?

http://www.xs400.com/forum/showthread.php?t=287

 

[chkm8]

that would be it!

 

[drewpy]

Wow, awesome looking bike volcom. Great job. You've given me a hell of a lot of encouragement to give it a try. Thanks.

Hopefully drewpy sees this thread. I'll PM him and ask if not.

I tried the dt 175 tank as an option but it didn't fit without serious mods. I went with a bespoke tank like Cad mentioned

 

[carreragt7]

I saw a couple of xs400 square tanks on ebay this morning for $40-$50.

You sure? The only square ones I've seen the past few days are $150ish, but they are local to me so I wouldn't have to pay for shipping, but would pay sales tax.

 

[MikesChevelle]

How about an old Benelli tank?

 

[Orgoth225]

would anyone know if a SUZUKI GS450 would fit on my 78?

 

[WulfgartheBlack]

Here's one thing that doesn't work:
I tried to fit a Royal Enfield tank to my '81 XS400 but that tunnel is way too narrow for the frame. I didn't want to perch that big fat bubble up above the backbones so I abandoned that idea and went with Yamaha factory tank minus insignia and those holes filled and faired.

 

[Reaper]

Just remember there's a difference between a "Sportster" tank and a "Sportster Style" tank. Volcoms has the bung at the rear right side, which will work with the stockish frame with the 3 upper bars. The one I have is a real 91 Harley Sportster Tank, which has the large petcock on the bottom left side of the tank. It wouldn't fit without completely removing the left upper bar. I think the real Harley tanks do differ by year, so do some research before you buy.

 

[volcomskater77]

as for that bung, i put it there. thats not stock. i nabbed a stock harley tank for cheap and the petcock placement is troublesome. i gotta notch the right hand support rail for it to sit straight.

 

[Leivur]

How about an old Benelli tank?

Did the Benelli fit you XS400? Love the look on that tank and have been thinking about getting one on my XS400