Chrome Oil Tank Woes

[EM549]

I purchased a NOS chrome oil tank from my deal in Fort Worth, the part number was listed as A9730136 on the open box. This is the correct part number for my 2008 R3T. I tried, unsuccessfully, to install the oil tank yesterday. My observation is this. The nipple at the back of the chrome oil tank that goes into the crankcase appears to be slightly larger than the same nipple on the back of my black oil tank.

Is it possible that I acquired an early model chrome oil tank that someone placed in the wrong box at the dealership? The dealer received the box that the oil tank was packed in May of 2008. I suppose it is possible that someone placed an early model chrome oil tank in the wrong box. I was borrowing a friend's warm garage over the weekend, so I did not have calipers to measure the two. with rudimentary tools, the chrome oil tank appears approximately 1/16th of an inch larger than the black tank I took off.

Does anyone know the difference in the oil tank nipple diameters between early and late model oil tanks?

 

[tribal]

I purchased a NOS chrome oil tank from my deal in Fort Worth, the part number was listed as A9730136 on the open box. This is the correct part number for my 2008 R3T. I tried, unsuccessfully, to install the oil tank yesterday. My observation is this. The nipple at the back of the chrome oil tank that goes into the crankcase appears to be slightly larger than the same nipple on the back of my black oil tank.

Is it possible that I acquired an early model chrome oil tank that someone placed in the wrong box at the dealership? The dealer received the box that the oil tank was packed in May of 2008. I suppose it is possible that someone placed an early model chrome oil tank in the wrong box. I was borrowing a friend's warm garage over the weekend, so I did not have calipers to measure the two. with rudimentary tools, the chrome oil tank appears approximately 1/16th of an inch larger than the black tank I took off.

Does anyone know the difference in the oil tank nipple diameters between early and late model oil tanks?

Standard:

2004-2006ish last 6 of VIN up to 280583

Chrome Plated Oil Tank
A9733603

2006+ VIN last 6 > 280584

Chrome Plated Oil Tank
A9730136

Fits Triumph Rocket III CLASSIC & ROADSTER 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Triumph Rocket III Touring 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

looking for spec delta between the two now... No stampings on the tank itself?

Prior posts say that one or more of the ports are smaller diameters on the older ones as you have noted above so it does seem to be A9733603.

 

[EM549]

Standard:

2004-2006ish last 6 of VIN up to 280583

Chrome Plated Oil Tank
A9733603

2006+ VIN last 6 > 280584

Chrome Plated Oil Tank
A9730136

Fits Triumph Rocket III CLASSIC & ROADSTER 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Triumph Rocket III Touring 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

looking for spec delta between the two now... No stampings on the tank itself?

Prior posts say that one or more of the ports are smaller diameters on the older ones as you have noted above so it does seem to be A9733603.

Is there a way to compare the engine number with the VIN to see if the engine in the motorcycle is the engine that came from the factory? The last six of my VIN are 345947. The engine number is 3349334.

I tried everything to get the tank to seat. I lubed the new o-rings with petroleum jelly, but the tank would not fit. Then I compared the black tank with the chrome tank and noted the size difference in the nipple. I replaced the black tank so my buddy could have his garage back. I do not see any part numbers stamped in the chrome oil tank.

I may try to acquire the crankcase adapters and see if I can determine the cause of the problem. Any additional ideas would be appreciated.

 

[tribal]

I think that some but not all engine serial numbers match the last 6 numbers of the VIN. I think it is desirable but not mandated.

The US VIN decoder doesn't seem to give any insight to those engine details either: Welcome to VIN Decoding :: provided by vPIC

"Triumph motorcycle engine numbers are stamped into the case just below the [rear] cylinder.
Triumph VIN or frame numbers are stamped into the frame on the headstock viewed by turning the handle on some models the number is stamped into the down tubes in front of the tank.
On many early Triumph models the number can be found on the frame under the tank or on the engine mounting lug in front of the engine
Frame VIN numbers usually match the engine number after bikes built from about 1960 onwards"

IMHO if they do NOT match it just means that somewhere along the assembly process they switched to a different engine than originally intended (could be a few reasons for that) or perhaps other model changes were made necessitating a VIN increment.. It makes sense that they should be 'close' in terms of build timeline even if the actual numbers are far apart (no idea how the engine number is generated).

I am not aware of a way to get the factory build sheet on-line using your VIN (that would be nice though).

I believe only Triumph would be able to supply that information by contacting them directly.

 

[Joesmoe]

I lucked out big time thanks to @1K9 finding a display item chrome oil tank in Houston, and they decided they didn't need it any more, and it ended up in my garage. I didn't check anything, and it slipped right end like it belongs there, is there to this day.

Wish you luck.