Comet Petrol Tank - what type?

[John Oakes]

Hi all.

I have a Series A meteor with what i believe to be the 'standard' size tank approx 12" wide. However my Series A Comet has a larger capacity tank, described by the vendor when i bought as possibly 'TT style' tank fitted in the late 40's when the bike was used in amateur racing events. It is approx 15 1/2" in width and has a breather on top. However it is not alloy but Stainless steel sides and top with steel bottom. There is evidence that it was once painted maroon on top (see pic) along beaded soldered joint and it has the fixing points on it to add knee rubbers. It also has currently 2 unused threaded holes set wider apart than the required ones underneath at the front? Any ideas as to what this tank might be? Could this be a Rapide tank as i believe they were larger? Or was there a larger capacity tank available for the meteor and comet?

 

[Robert Watson]

TTR tank by my guess. See my avatar. The front mount has two holes either side in line at 90 degrees to the line of the frame.

I have some other pictures if you want.

 

[greg brillus]

Yep, Looks just like the one in my workshop at the moment.

 

[A_HRD]

The factory spec sheet for my 1935/36 TTC lists it as having an all stainless TTR tank.
But unfortunately the bike came to me without it - even though the previous owner was known to have it.
A Twin Tanks have completely different mounting schemes front and back. Moreover, they have a combined pet/oil tank in any case.

Peter B

 

[Bill Thomas]

I thought I was going Mad !, I remember Ron's "A" Having petrol and oil same tank,
Because we did the same with my Special "D".

 

[John Oakes]

Thanks chaps I think that settles it - a TTR tank it is then.

 

[Marvel]

My 1939 Comet originally had a tank the same as that although it's now on another bike. It's the same length and profile as the standard tank but all stainless and extra wide. AFAIK the TTR tanks are longer and without the cut away for the nose of the saddle as it is set further back. I'd love to get hold of one to put my bike back to original spec.

 

[A Nut]

One of my Series A Comet's belonged to the late John Taylor from Cornwall. John had 2 Comets. One he sold to the late Bill Purnell and I remember that that one had a very wide tank which I think was all stainless steel and from memory looked very much like the one in the photo. I don't know who owns it now.
Mine had a standard tank (now owned by Mitch Talcove)
My ex works bike (which has the frame from one of the 2 supercharged bikes had the wrong tank when I got it (It was originally from Pat McIver's bike and had been swapped by a previous owner) I managed to swap it for the original. This tank is longer than the original with no cutaway for the saddle nose as the seat frame is longer and further back than standard. It does however have 2 extra cutaways, one for the oil tank filler on the left hand side The oil tank was moved to the side as the supercharger took the place of the original oil tank, and there is a 'flute' cutaway at the rear right hand side to allow the throttle cable to come up and over the top of the tank. Sorry I don't have any photos as the bike is not here but I will try and post some in the next week or two.
Brian

 

[Marcus Bowden]

David Lancaster now owns the John Taylor Comet ex John Cooper ex Harry Cox of exeter who owned three "A" twins, I have his last one that John Waltham escorted PEI about in it, photo of Phil astride it on the front cover of MPH. 198? at an international I think.

 

[John Oakes]

David Lancaster now owns the John Taylor Comet ex John Cooper ex Harry Cox of exeter who owned three "A" twins, hat an international I think.

Hi Marcus - It was owned by David Lancaster until I bought it from him summer 2019.