Narrowcase front tank fixings

[ranton_rambler]

Does anyone have photos or descriptions of the correct fixings at the front of the tank?
My bike (175TS) has had a bit of vibration through the tank since I put it on the road, and at the moment it seems particularly bad. From feeling around while riding, I'm fairly sure it's engine vibration transferring from the headstock into the tank.
I didn't have the original fixings so I fitted a rubber washer between the headstock and tank and then a normal steel washer under the bolt-head.
Ian

[Bevel bob]

What you have done is pretty common but as you have found is not much good. The fixings cannot be fully tightened as they transmit vibration and come loose and then fall out. I decided that a rubber grommet with a short length of spacer (alloy tube) gives the insulation needed but allows the stainless polished head bolt and washer to be fully tight yet still leaves resilience for the tank to move on a sorbo rubber frame wrap. A box of assorted grommets was a good buy and allowed experimentation. Alloy tube from Wikes DIY,held in place with a little bath sealant. Stainless bolts from Laurie .All still looks standard.

[ducwiz]

Snap 2021-08-16 at 18.59.20.png

This is the original design, from the parts manual. Very bad . The solution with grommets and short tubular spacer imho is an appropriate solution.

Hans

[ranton_rambler]

Thanks both. I have the parts book but I wasn’t sure what material Part 53 was made from, so I guessed at rubber.

The slots don’t seem much wider than the bolt diameter but I can try a selection of grommets and see if I can avoid opening the slots out.

Ian

[Bevel bob]

I seem to remember using a round file to give enough room . All hidden now. Did the conversion after a very vibratory ride home with thoughts of blown bearings etc, Only to find one nice stainless bolt gone and the other on its last thread. Do it!, Best mod I have done to the little beast.

[ranton_rambler]

Well I fitted some grommets, not exactly as suggested here but following advice from another 175 owner. No difference whatsoever!

So looking round everywhere, I figured out that it was actually the front of the seat frame touching the tab where the spring hold-down attaches.
So loosened the seat fixings, wiggled it back a bit and all sorted.

Will need to keep an eye on seat and tank shuffling around while I ride.

Ian

[Bevel bob]

Hi Ian, I abandoned the rear tank fitting and substituted a stretched rubber O ring instead , less likely to damage the seat covering. The front fixing mod is more about a consistent method that will not fall out when taking the tank off and being able to lock the bolts in place against vibration.