Wanted, Valentini tank for mk1 Camel.

[rossguzzi]

Long shot I know, but interested in getting one.
So form an orderly queue please.

['It must be a .....']

Hi, I've only seen production Valentini tanks for the later twin shock Camels.
They will go on the Mk1 but you will also need the later seat to match, which will need altering to clear the side panels.
Also the Valentini tanks are fibreglass which might be an issue in OZ?
Good luck in the quest, Ian

[rossguzzi]

Hi Ian, I am presuming mine is a mk1. It has twin shocks though. I thought the first white tank and mine were mk1 and then the mono shocks were mk2. Anyway, mine has a firberglass tank as well, so no probs there.
Cheers.

[Sicxtyone]

Useful little rack on your bike, standard to bike or aftermarket?
Graham

[rossguzzi]

I got it off someone on this forum !

[MickeyMoto]

How romantic, asking for a Valentini tank on St. Valentine's Day..

[rossguzzi]

And the wife dosn`t understand

[Tom]

Happy Valentine!

This is how it looks like fitting a MK3 Valentine on a MK1 Camel, indeed the seat has to be cut and then extended up front with polyester.

I used a MK2 seat as a start.

Tank is now with the painter to match it with the big SIMUN Paris Dakar sticker Hombre made

Absolutely love these bikes...

[rossguzzi]

More pics please Tom ?? Especially the top of the tank where the (I believe) intake for the filters is.
How many liters does it hold ?
Do they come up for sale at all ?

Sorry for all the questions.

[Steve Brown]

If you do get a tank and then need a seat for it, I have one of that type where the base is spit. You could have it for the postage cost. That's a lot to Oz of course, you may get one closer to home. Just thought it might save cutting up a good 'un.

[rossguzzi]

Nice offer Steve, will let you know.

Today I rode it up in the hills and met a mate. He has been in bikes all his life. Owned 50+ bikes I would say. He is having thoughts of getting an old school dirt bike. Something like a XT500 Yamaha. We got talking and there might be a plan hatched, riding across the desert to Ayers Rock and back.
I may well NEED a larger tank

['It must be a .....']

Hi, the production Valentini tank for the late 500 Camel (Mark3) is simply a larger tank and retains the standard air box.
Over the years I've only seen a couple tanks for sale yet there have been several Valentini Camels, even here in the UK.
If you get a tank try to get the matching seat as this will be a much easier option, you'll only need to trim the bottom of the sides to clear the side panels.
But these later seat bases are prone to cracking (vacuum moulding) yet a layer of glass fibre on the inside is an easy fix.

Good luck in finding one, Ian

[rossguzzi]

Thanks for the info Ian.
Not much in me looking here in OZ. I guess if one comes up it will be in UK, Netherlands or Italy.

[rossguzzi]

Anyone know what the SIMUN on the Valentini tank stands for ? I guess it is some sort of advertising.

[Tom]

I believe SIMUN means some sort of desert wind. ' Vento' means wind 'caldo' means hot.

Here some photo's of the seat making process.

The base of the MK1 or MK2 seat works just fine, and then extend the front with polyester mats and adjust the steel frame to the right hight/ level (with a lot of rings and damping rubber in my case). I think i also welded a bit on/ of the steel frame of the seat, now i am thinking of it.

Shame i did not make a photo of the bottem side, but i can make one if you are interested of course.

Original 'fat' Mk3 seat (to long @ the back in order to fit it passes the rear rack when you take it off):



Slimmer Mk2 seat shortened at the back and extended up front: