Tank Identification

[Nourish]

I picked this tank up at an autojumble - then put it down again when I found out the price! The vendor didn't know what it was off but thought it was from a '54 twin.
I've not noticed these badges before  - one was red and the other black.
So can anyone identify it?

[Jules]

Badges look all wrong for a twin, in fact they dont look like anything I've seen on a tank of the 50-60's, but I have to say that I'm focussed on twins! Even the positioning looks wrong...........I suspect its well bogged up too from the paint job.....big job to get back to original looking I suspect. I would rather start with an Indian tank than something like this personally  ,

[chaterlea25]

Hi All,
The tank in the pic has the two holes for petrol taps on one side ??
The only tank I have seen with this feature were from USA flat track bikes

John

[BSA_54A10]

Yep this looks like modified tank to me which says racing.
Easy bit first.
The badges belong on the long flash fitted to early tanks ( prior to single bolt mounting ) so they are defiantly wrong.

The underside has a full width cut out so that says twin
There are the two pockets to clear the twin carbs so that says sports twin, however they look way too far forward and a bit close together ( could be the angle of the photo ).
There are no indentations for a tank badge this was usual for sports bikes particularly US track bikes where items such as tank badges were forbidden.

[jfligg]

I would like to see the top of the tank.  Was there a flip top?  I would guess that it might be a 1953 BSA gold star tank.  Jeff

[duTch]

 Looks like some kind of lid- may be a side-flip cap, think I can just make out a hinge and screw handle...?
I reckon the left side (bottom in photo) is not recessed as much as the right side, and also the two indents alongside the bolt hole are different profiles.
 Maybe badge rebates have been bogged up? Just my two bobs worth 

[Nourish]

Yes has a flip filler cap but note the central tank mounting.

[Topdad]

I once had a tank fitted to my first shooter that was off an early B31 only had one tap though there may have been a blank fitted , can't remember , it looked ok on the bike which I don't think this would, Bobh.

[Stephen Foster]

Could it be from a "Spitfire scrambler"or similar in U.S.A trim .
Excuse My ignorance but why would the two tap holes on one side suggest racing ?

[chaterlea25]

HI Stephen,
The "American" races were on a dirt oval circuit, centrifugal force would throw the fuel to the outside of the
circuit
Thet used a rigid version of the double downtube BSA frame, hence the centre fixing bolt

HTH
John

[Stephen Foster]

Makes sense now !