Fuel tank fitment on various frames

Fitting a V700 tank on an early V700 frame

Fitment should be straightforward - no special considerations are required.

Fitting a V700 tank on a late V700 frame

Fitment should be straightforward - no special considerations are required.

Fitting a V700 tank on an early A-series Ambassador frame

Fitment should be straightforward - no special considerations are required. The coil is mounted perpendicular to the frame just like on the V700 frames.

Fitting a V700 tank on a common NON-A-series Ambassador or Eldorado frame

Since the coil is mounted inline with the frame, a V700 tank will hit the coil mounting tabs on the later Ambassador and Eldorado frames. Thanks to Charlie Mullendore of Antietam Classic Cycle for providing this clarification.

Fitting an Ambassador or Eldorado tank on an early V700 frame

This combination causes a several challenges that are difficult to overcome. While those with superior fabrication skills may choose to make the necessary modifications, I chose to source a completely different frame when I encountered this problem on a build that was 99% complete. Oh the lessons in life I've learned the hard way...

• The easiest to address problem is the position of the coil. The V700 mounts the coil perpendicular to the frame, whereas the Ambassador and Eldorado mount the coil parallel to the frame. The existing coil perpendicular mount must be removed from the frame and a new parallel mount welded to the frame. The bracket is simple to fabricate.
• The very difficult problem to address is that the upper triple tree plate will hit the tank if the handlebar is turned even slightly from straight forward. The fix is to relocate the tank further back along the backbone of the frame. Of course, this will necessitate moving the seat further back and - potentially - the side cover mounts as well. This problem cannot be solved by switching to a later (non-V700) top triple tree plate (I tried) nor by permitting the tank to sit directly on the top of the frame backbone (I tried this, too).

To overcome the coil interference issue, Charlie Mullendore of Antietam Classic Cycle recommends the following:

One can simply mount the coil perpendicular, but lower it using spacers between the frame mount and coil mount. I've done this with my 1969 (A-series) Ambassador.

Fitting an Ambassador or Eldorado tank on a late V700 frame

This combination causes a small challenge that is relatively easy to address:

• The V700 mounts the coil perpendicular to the frame, whereas the Ambassador and Eldorado mount the coil parallel to the frame. The existing coil perpendicular mount must be removed from the frame and a new parallel mount welded to the frame. The bracket is simple to fabricate.

To overcome the coil interference issue, Charlie Mullendore of Antietam Classic Cycle recommends the following:

One can simply mount the coil perpendicular, but lower it using spacers between the frame mount and coil mount. I've done this with my 1969 (A-series) Ambassador.

Fitting an Ambassador or Eldorado tank on an Ambassador or Eldorado frame

Fitment should be straightforward - no special considerations are required.