Super Rat or not Super Rat?

[rlkarren]

I need to know what tank this is. I would like your input, particularly Paul, since I think he knows the back story.

The photos show 3 tanks, mystery tank is in the middle. Left tank is a Super Rat, right tank is a Wombat. Assuming the Wombat tank is the same size as a Ace 90/100 tank, i.e., 2.7 US Gal, the middle tank is clearly "skinnier". However, sitting side by side with a Super Rat tank, it looks slightly wider...

Using calipers, when measured immediately in front of the filler hole, we find that the middle tank is about .5" wider than the left tank. However it is almost 1.25" skinnier than the right tank.

It's a gorgeous NOS tank, but I was told it is not a Super Rat because it's .5" wider, while clearly skinnier than a 2.7 Gal tank.

Was there a 3rd size?? Or did the geometry differ between models/bikes/ or ??

any thoughts?

Thanks

Roger

[Bullfrog]

Earl Burrows cornered me at Hodaka Days a couple/three years ago with almost exactly the same question. He had several tanks for comparison/measurement. I went into the whole exercise figuring there was NO WAY there would be a half inch variation in tank width. I was humbled. While I don't remember the measurements exactly, I think we came up 3/8"(+ a teensy bit) variation in the width between three of the tanks. All the tanks were clearly OEM Hodaka tanks and they did vary in width more than I expected. So suspect that is what you have bumped into.

It would be a good idea to do a detailed visual comparison of ALL the welded on bits to make sure EVERYTHING matches.

I came to the conclusion that the clean up of the tank half stampings and preparation for welding them together was a "craftsman's operation" - not a "precision operation".

Ed