Toaster Tank trivia

[Garnet]

Did black Toasters have pinstripes from the factory?

I know Monza Blue Toasters did not, but I have seen many of the red, white and black with and without stripes.

[pkboxer]

Hope I don't get sued, this is from the /5 united page. Seems to say that it's not the color but the year of the toaster with only the '73 bikes having toaster panels AND pinstripes...

In 1970 and 1971, BMW motorcycles had a 6.3 gallon fuel tank. This is the standard tank. This tank was available by special order in 1972. Many 1973 /5s had it as well. The 1970 and 1971 gas cap hinges from the front of the fuel tank. The 1972 and 1973 gas cap hinges from the back. In mid-1973, the standard tank had the cut-out for the brake master cylinder that would later appear on the /6.The black thing on the fuel tank is a large rubber pad. All standard tanks had these. When reattaching one of these to a painted fuel tank, 3m Super Weatherstrip (black) adhesive works well. This automotive type of adhesive is available at most auto parts stores. Photo is from BMW's archives. According to Phil Marx, slot blade screws affix the roundel to the fuel tank for 1970 and 1971.

In 1972, most motorcycles that BMW exported to the United States came with a fuel tank of less than 4.5 gallons. The chrome panels mounted, as seen below in this advertisement, were standard in the U.S. Notice the lack of pinstriping around the chrome panel. Notice the chrome battery cover? That was also a feature for the 1972 model. These tanks were also available in Europe. The chrome paneled tanks were called "toasters."

This tank was not well received in the US market. Many motorcyclists thought the chrome panels were ugly. It held less fuel than the standard 6-gallon tank. Do not estimate a /5's year of manufacture by the fuel tank. These were frequently swapped for six-gallon tanks, and frequently on the dealers' showrooms. Also, some 1973 models were exported with the toaster tank. Dealers sent many toaster tanks, complete with toaster panels, to the scrapyard.

In 1972, the 6-gallon standard tank was available by special order for an additional $25. Small rubber pads were available to replace the chrome fuel tank panels, but only by special order from the dealer. Philips head screws hold roundel on the fuel tank. Advertisement scanned from an old copy of "Cycle" magazine.

Then there was 1973, the year of great confusion for restorers. Early 1973 models had chrome panels and the fuel tanks had pinstripes. Also in 1973, these rubber pads were available, and were supplied on the small tank after they stopped putting chrome panels on the fuel tanks. These pads were also available earlier by special order. It is the same fuel tank as the Toaster tank, only instead of chrome panels, it had a rubber pad. Indentations on the black pad fit over the prongs that support the toaster panel. Also in 1973, the 6-gallon tank was available as an option, for about $25. Click on the photos for larger views.

[Garnet]

That's the write up I was looking for.

Mine will go sans the pinstripes, as it is a 72 AND I don't like the look of chrome pannels and stripes.

[Kurt in S.A.]

Ian Falloon says the toaster tanks weren't offered for the 1973 models. He lists the VIN numbers in his book.

Kurt in S.A.

[CVA-42]

I, too, thought that the Toaster was only produced for model year 1972. However, Cycle World did a road test of the R75/5 in July 1973 and it's clearly a Toaster. They also did a test of the R60/5 Toaster in August 1972. Both have no pinstriping on the tanks and both appear to be black. Knittel & Slabon's Buyer's Guide refers only to Toasters in model year 1972 and states that "after only one year, the chrome side covers and panels were no longer used, and the smaller tank was produced with just plain painted sides". Maybe there were some leftover Toaster tanks that made it onto some 1973's? The R75/5 Toaster in the Buyer's Guide also shows no tank pinstriping.

[Duane Ausherman]

The toaster tank (small) was introduced in 72, but continued through the /6. I can't believe just how much bad information is spouted about these tanks. I think that I have a page on tanks.

The rubber pads were not available for the toaster tanks, at least not until Much later, as in late 73. Butler and Smith didn't know the part number, so they had to call me to get it. It took me some time to "find" it. BMW of Marin, my dealership, first brought those rubber pads into the USA. We also brought in dozens of large tanks for anyone that wanted to upgrade. They only went to our customers.

While visiting the BMW factory in Berlin, the folks there asked me why Americans loved that tiny tank. I replied that we hated it and wanted the large ones. They appologized for not being able to sell them directly to me, but did hook me up with a special wholesale connection for tanks and many other parts. I imported dozens of them. I also brought in a color set of Policia Green. It was very popular.

The story goes on, so ask me in person if you are a BMW history buff.

[CVA-42]

Duane - - Yes, the small 4.5 gallon tank which was the basis of the toaster tank was offered through the /6 series. No question about that. It appears prominently in BMW /6 sales literature and in the /6 road tests of the day sans the chromed side panels. However, the true "toaster" tank - - so named because some thought it resembled a kitchen toaster because of the chromed side panels - - was available from the factory only on the 1972 models. However, seeing it on the R75/5 that was tested by Cycle World in late summer 1973, leads me to believe that some of the 1972 chrome-paneled true toaster tanks may have been left over and installed on the 1973 model year bikes by either the factory or the dealers. What do you think? In any case, my money is on the large tank that first appeared on the R90S for the best looking tank BMW ever put on the post-1970 airheads.

[Duane Ausherman]

I certainly agree on the best looking tank, as I still love that shape.

No bikes came into the USA as late as summer 73 with chrome side panels. In the past, it was common for BMW and B of S to use a photo for publicity of a bike that never existed, or was never imported for sale to a dealer. Are you sure that it was 73? Something is wrong with that observation.
Cycle magazines got the bikes directly from B&S, but could pick it up from a dealer. Who knows what a dealer could install. We swapped tanks like sox.

BMW advertising photography was more commonly in error than correct. Photos in owner's manuals were sometimes as old as 8 years when published. It was more of a photo to allow you to "get the idea" than to show what you would actually find at your local dealer.

Do not use BMW advertising photos for anything related to restoring your bike.

[CVA-42]

Duane - - Yes, the Cycle World road test is dated July 1973 and the text points out that the test machine is a '73 model, the last of the short wheelbase bikes. No pinstripes on the tank. But - - as your firsthand info indicates - - who knows when photos were actually taken and who swapped what with what?

[Duane Ausherman]

Oh, a SWB 73 model. That makes it very early in 73. On the early 73 bikes we saw a variety of tank schemes come from the factory. Some had the indentations in the paint from having the chrome panels installed, but later removed. Later they came with pin stripes. Basically, there was no tank rule for these bikes.

The variety of large tanks was also interesting. Some were old and had the narrow tunnel and some were for the master cylinder under the tank.