I have posted the question below on the UK based Aircooledrd forum, but so far no takers. I wonder if anyone here has any observations, photos from above/below of their badges etc? US members will be more limited in their reply, simply because they never had the larger petrol tank that other parts of the world got.

Thanks.

This question might turn into a bit of a ramble, so apologies in advance!

I picked up an abandoned project a while back (yes, another one!   ), this time a 1973 US RD350.

I noticed that the tank badges weren't a snug fit, so made a note to investigate as and when.

I've finally got around to looking at them and am rather confused over the shapes and part numbers of the two(?) options.

The parts that were ill fitting had 360-01, together with L or R, stamped on the underside. As an aside, it looks like they had been hand painted the wrong colour. Presumably these numbers relate to full part numbers 360-24161-01 and 360-24162-01, which CMSNL indicates are the correct part numbers for the 1973 US models. So why don't they fit my tank?  

I managed to pick up a right side badge in amongst some other parts, and this one is stamped 360-11 R on the underside. Using the same logic as above, presumably the full part number is 360-24162-11, which CMSNL (and the parts manual in the Tech Library) indicates is the correct part number for the 1973 and 1974 European models. This one fits my tank perfectly!  

I know that the obvious thing to do is to seek out part number 360-24161-11 for my left side badge. However, I don't like loose ends like this and I also want to give accurate information when I come to sell the two badges that don't fit my tank.

Has anyone come across this issue before, does anyone have a tank to hand that they can check the badges on etc etc?

I shall attach some photos, showing a comparison with my RD350B tank (just to confirm that a UK/Euro tank hasn't been fitted), the one badge fitting, the two badges not fitting and the badges themselves.

Thanks in advance for any comments. 

    

More photos.

    

I think I have early and late model parts books for RD 350's .
In NZ the first shipment , in late 72 , was the small tank version , later shipments
being the larger tank version .
My books are in my container , and I won't be able to get in there for a few days .
That will only really be able to confirm your part numbers .
I'll have a look in my garage , as I may have a NOS badge , but no promises .

Thanks Swoop, much appreciated.

To confuse me further, the badges are faintly understamped on the back with 341, which is the model code for the TX750, which had very similar badges that were painted gold, but with white lettering. Would all tank badges have been cast in the 341 mould first, and ones destined for the RD somehow being subsequently remoulded? Really weird and confusing!   

Allan , I managed to get out to the container today .
My two parts books are dated 7/72 . I knew one was different , to the other .
One had a few pages dedicated to Australian Market variations .
The tanks were the same base numbers , but had two colour options ,
which may not have been available in other markets .
The 350 had a Competition Green option ( ie. DT3 ), and 250 had a Gold Dust option ( ie CT3 ).
Both books have the badges as Left 360-24261-01 , and Right as 360- 24162-01 .
The tank P/N was 360-24110-01-01 ( Brandy Red ) .
I'm not sure how much that will help you , as I'm not sure which of the two tanks this number applies to .
If you figure it out , post your findings . We can never have too much information .

 

Thanks Swoop.

If you ever come across a badge/emblem, new or used, it would be interesting to see what is cast into the underside.

I have attached a photo of a set for sale in the US on fleabay. If you look closely, you can see the "under casting" (particularly on the top one) and the lower one has a revision carried out in black ink/paint - definitely some weird production process went on with these parts! 

 

I do know someone with our early small tank model .  He doesn't live locally ,
but I am officiating at a road race meeting out of town next weekend , and can drop in
on the way home . He might even have a large tank there too .
I'll get back to you .
I forgot to say . I did look for a badge in the garage , but no joy there unfortunately .

Allan . I found a later ( 12/72 ) parts book , which covers the large tank model ..
The tank suffix is 11 , as are the left and right badges .
Hope this helps .

Thanks Swoop.

That confirms my original confusion, outlined in my first post - ie "01" should fit my US tank but doesn't and "11" shouldn't fit my tank, but does.

I wonder what mould the Aussie company producing repros used?

I did think your US tank looked more like our larger tank .
From memory ( somewhat dodgy at times ) , our larger tank held roughly 3.5 imperial gallons .
The early small tank , was 2.5 - 3.0 gallons , and was a very slim unit .
You had a US B tank also for comparison , which looked to be the same dimensions as your 73 .
I just wonder whether somehow , someone has obtained and fitted the larger tank to the US bike .