NOS or...?

AndersJ · Jul 28, 2020

Calling all scrutinizing eyes!

While searching for parts for my project bike I recently came across this. Any ideas if it's legitimate? I'm thinking it's for a 1978 special. Its a very nice dark blue and the inside is probably the cleanest I've seen in a tank.

Jim · Jul 28, 2020

I don't know for sure one way or the other, but if I had to guess, I'd say the factory shipped the tanks ready to install... with all the decals already applied. So my guess is it's not NOS. Just guessin' again... but new tank was installed and old tank was repainted... never decaled and put in the original box for storage. But as I said, that's just a guess on my part.

AndersJ · Jul 28, 2020

Thanks Jim! That's not my favorite answer, but I respect your opinion as someone who certainly knows more about it than I do.

5twins · Jul 28, 2020

I don't think that particular tank had decals, only screw-on badges, so I'm going to say maybe it could be N.O.S. I don't think Yamaha would include badges with it. They could then get another 30 to 40 dollars out of you, lol.

AndersJ · Jul 28, 2020

5twins, it makes more sense to me that the tank would come bare out of the box like you said. Plus the amount of NOS stuff this guy had it's not like he had enough bikes to put it all on! Near hoarder status...or perhaps just another weak-willed motorcycle enthusiast like many of us!

WideAWAKE · Jul 28, 2020

I’ve seen a good handful of NOS tanks from various manufacturers, none of which had emblems if they were screw on types.

Not only that - but they didn’t come with a gas cap either (another 30 bucks they can squeeze out of ya after they get the 30-40 for the decals)

jetmechmarty · Jul 29, 2020

If it is indeed for a Special, no Special ever had decals that I'm aware of. It looks NOS from here.

nighthog · Jul 29, 2020

jetmechmarty said:
no Special ever had decals that I'm aware of

I'm afraid they did. I have one, a twin-tap '78 but maybe that was UK only?

fredintoon · Jul 30, 2020

Single gas tap Special tank with badge rails? Looks just like my '84 Heritage Special's stock tank.
My best guess is that yours is a factory replacement tank for a late model Special.
Got a use for it or selling it on? Pristine unit like that gotta be worth mebbe $75 or even a C-note?

AndersJ · Jul 30, 2020

Dual tap actually. One is covered. I’ll probably let it go at some point.

5twins · Jul 30, 2020

The cap is off center, correct? Because a centered cap would be a Standard tank.

AndersJ · Jul 30, 2020

Yeah It’s off center. It definitely for a special

member28833 · Jul 30, 2020

Of course it is a 1978 Special tank :cool:

Look for pictures. My college room mate had a very pretty Blue 78 Special ! Somehow when he pulled shifts at the college fire station his Blue 78 had a few more miles on the odo mysteriously happen

AndersJ · Jul 30, 2020

I guess I should ask if anyone is resorting a 78 special... :whistle:

NOS or...?

What to do?

Its nice but is obviously repainted. Give it to the first person on the forum that asks nicely.

That's an unused tank. Sell it to fund your project, and throw fuel on the NOS craze.

Ride it don't hind it. Fill that sucker with gas and use it as it was meant to be used.

AndersJ

XS650 Addict

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jetmechmarty

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