Nighthawk 750 tank ramblings and cheap Chinese tank queries

[Deviant1]

I'm just easing back into my old motorcycle hobby, so forgive me if this has been gone over. I browsed around and didn't see anything right off. I've got a 93 Nighthawk 750 and while I enjoy a lot about it, that stock tank is fucking gross!!
I've been looking for a tank from an rc42 which is the European version of the nighthawk. The tank on the rc42 is much sportier than the fugly cruiser tank on the Nighthawk. But the rc42 tanks I see on eBay are all either super expensive (around 1k), super sketchy (seller has the same tank for sale in 4 auctions), or non English speaking sellers (German). $1000 ain't happening, I don't want to get scammed and I can't communicate in German. So for the moment I'm looking at other tank options.

I like the early Honda Sabre tanks. They're cheap and I feel like it would be a fairly easy installation, so I got that goin' for me...
I also have a spare 71 cb750 tank and I've seen plenty of nighthawk builds with those fitted... But my 71 cb750 already has the same tank and I'm not out to build the same bike again. I also have a few other tanks laying around that may fit.
BUT, on eBay I've been seeing what appears to be unpainted Chinese repop tanks... Specifically a late 90's cb400 tank that looks like it would be tits on my 750. Maybe a little small... But I think I could work with it.

Does anyone have any experience with these? Or any other suggestions?
I'm probably going to end up taking a hammer and a few cans of bondo to the fugly cruiser tank to see if I can make anything decent out of it, but I don't have high hopes for it.



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[tbagginz]

I got an rc42 tank off ebay UK for $30. Another guy that lives in my neighborhood picked one up off ebay for $100 off ebay Japan. One I was eyeing on ebay, but was around 250, sold, then popped up on Craigslist close to me a few months later haha. They are out there and pretty easy to get if your patient. As far as other tanks, older cb tanks work great, it just depends on how much welding you want to do to change where it mounts. I have never seen the Chinese ones before this

 

[Deviant1]

Thanks for the reply bagginz. I've been looking for about a month now for the rc42, I'm only looking on eBay at the moment. I'll continue looking as I've got a few months before winter. Hopefully the right one will pop up. If not the sabre tank looks like the best bet. They're plentiful and cheap...

I haven't even looked up the dimensions for the cb400 tank... Just seems a little sketchy..


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[tbagginz]

Is that sabre tank a direct bolt on?

 

[Deviant1]

Probably not, but there appears to be more than sufficient room on the underside to make it work.


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[esmoojee]

You should look on ebay uk. There is a rc42 for like $90 and the guy said it would cost 40 pounds shipping. Around $130 total. It's got some nasty dents but what do you expect. They're hard to come by.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/262539289995?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

[Deviant1]

Wow! Thanks dude! I'm on it!!!


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[esmoojee]

You’re welcome! I was going to do a full euro package but I changed my mind. I think I’m going to do a tracker with my NH. I also hate the way I slide forward on my seat when riding two up. I can’t wait for a bench seat.