WD wrote on 02/26/13 at 22:17:10:All of the popular models are too long.
Seems to me that would be true if you weren't planning to change anything else about a stock bike; such as the seat/seatpan.
In John's case here, like most of the RYCA bikes and similar builds such as mine, everything from the tank going back is going to be brand new, so the extra tank length is easily accounted for according to how you redesign the rear part of the frame along with the seat and so on.
WD is right; NOTHING is an easy fit. That's why John is having to do so much re-building on the underside of his tank. The guy who started my build decided to cut up and re-weld the frame instead of messing with the tank; that has caused a whole other mess of headaches. I've even had to replace my stock carb with a VM36 from Lancer to make space for the frame mods that he made. It's a PITA.
I don't like the way the RYCA tank looks when it's chopped down, but honestly as far as their kit concept goes, it makes total sense; every Savage comes with one! So it's a lot easier to modify the original than to find a source of brand new tanks that work.
By the way, JOHN, the bike looks outstanding so far! That's a hell of a lot of work you're doing just to make that tank fit, but I can tell it's going to be worth it. Cheers!