Tank Stiffener 67-8085 Vital or Throw It? SOLVED!

[Peter Gee]

I wonder what this thing is for. And it has slots,  spacers, various types of fancy washers...when all it does is tie two sides of the tank together? I count 11 parts to the "assembly" in the list. Why the spacers? Spacing what?

Is this necessary  on a 59 A7SS and if so, why?

Thanks

[duTch]

 I think maybe stops the seams vibrating apart- you can leave them out and see how long the tank lasts,  then you be able to let everyone know 

[Black Sheep]

Any tank with a deep saddle will suffer vibration and fatigue, especially if you hit a resonant frequency. BSA and Velocette tank splits are often a result of leaving off the bridge piece. 

[Rex]

BSA wouldn't have wasted money fitting it if the bike didn't need it. OIFs were another range of bikes that riders used to ask the same question or couldn't be arsed to replace it, and then found out the hard way when the (tricky to repair) tunnel fractures started to appear..

[a]

 Is as it states, a "Tank STIFFENER", tank will split with full loads of fuel going over bumps, gutters etc.

Easy to bolt back on and let it do its job, It wont gain you anything leaving it off and cost you nothing to put it on

[RichardL]

Uh, I don't know about everybody else, but I can't see what Peter's holding up. I think the spacers may be to adjust the standoff distance of the stiffener from the tank. This may be necessary for the stiffener to work its way through or under the tank bumper dangle-down (what else would you call it?) based on the exact vertical position of the tank. My stiffener passes through the lower hole of the dangle-down.
(You should have thought of at least three jokes by now.)

Richard L.

[BSA_54A10]

Well it depends.
If you suffer from crutch lice leave it off, apparently petrol soaked undies does wonders for this condition.

[muskrat]

G'day Peter.
Don't leave home without it. Years back I was testing a bike with a short ride around the block. Saved about 2 minutes by leaving it off. Yep the tank started leaking.
Cheers.

[Guy Wilson]

I read Pete's post and immediately took action!

[Greybeard]

I read Pete's post and immediately took action!

I hope that is not a metric spanner!

I lost the strap for my tank so I just cut a piece of mild steel strip and drilled a couple of holes in the ends.

[Guy Wilson]

its not metric anymore...

[chaterlea25]

Hi Guy,
Looking at the photo you posted it looks like the tank buffer rubbers are missing 

these fit into the gadget with the round holes above the tank strap

John

[BigJim]

Am i the only one who has done lots of miles with never a strap? Have fitted an Indian tank (gulp) and am now nervous. Looks like I'll be being creative next time i get the tank off. I suppose a massive,superstrong elastic band is not suitable?(joke)

[duTch]

 Jim, you maybe don't even need to remove the tank

[BigJim]

Spend enough time on my knees praying to the god of BSA, Will be happier with it empty and up on a bench.