Dunno about the salt 'n vinegar thing, but why not?! Good flush afterwards and away you go!
Anyway, on the Indian tanks, I bought one a year ago odd (for my B31) and yup, there are some shape questions someone who knows more than me might ask. But, for an everyday bike, for an everyday price, I was pleased. Chrome not the thickest you'll ever see, but the centre hole was in the right place, the strap studs were BSC and the fuel tap threads were correct, the badges went straight on in what looked like roughly the right place - and it was clean as a whistle. Survived at least half a winter and hasn't even gone rusty yet. I'd have said mine was a tad shorter than the one it replaced, but I couldn't s