Aftermarket 4.3 gal Monster fuel tank ready for Carb'd models

[NAKID]

What's the price again on these tanks?

[krista]

$430 and they have lifetime warranty.

[NAKID]

Wow, that's really not that bad. Have we determined whether or not they are paintable? I know Nate had some insight...

[ducpainter]

Wow, that's really not that bad. Have we determined whether or not they are paintable? I know Nate had some insight...

...and Chris convinced me I was misguided.

[ducatiz]

$430 and they have lifetime warranty.

My new Monster had a lifetime warranty.... provided it didn't live more than 2 years! 

[krista]

...and Chris convinced me I was misguided.

We're still going to give it a try. I'd love to learn HOW to make these paintable. There's a racer in the midwest that has a good paint guy he's working with, so we'll get him a tank and see what they come up with. Ducpainter, you're welcome to try, too, just let me know. My goal is to have a painter who is motivated to make it work do the prep, etc, instead of someone who could quickly be defeated by failure (like the typical folks near me).

Chris

[krista]

Thanks Chris, you get  for this.

Beautiful job Chris!!

I think you'll sell a lot of these...they would be great to swap in for track days, and perhaps for longer rides/trips.  All types of riders will be interested.

    [moto]

Wow, that's really not that bad.

Thanks guys!! I wasn't sure what I'd be getting when I put the white tank on my S2R800, but I really like it! It goes so well on the bike. I need to get my fuel flange back and start riding it!

[fatrat]

At this time, I will work on improving the mold so the tanks don't have any scaly areas on them. The tanks look great, but would be better if I could eliminate these small raised rough bits.

Chris

I think if you have your mold copper plated several times then nickel plated it should give you the ultra smooth shiny surface you are looking for.

[ducpainter]

We're still going to give it a try. I'd love to learn HOW to make these paintable. There's a racer in the midwest that has a good paint guy he's working with, so we'll get him a tank and see what they come up with. Ducpainter, you're welcome to try, too, just let me know. My goal is to have a painter who is motivated to make it work do the prep, etc, instead of someone who could quickly be defeated by failure (like the typical folks near me).

Chris

The real issue in my view is you won't know about the failure for quite a while. I have no doubt I can get paint to stick to PE. Add fuel 'outgassing', for lack of a better term, through the surface and breaking the bond is a real challenge.

I also have no doubt that it could be done. Would the added cost be worth it?

[DarkStaR]

Are there any products available to seal the tank from the inside to prevent the:

Add fuel 'outgassing', for lack of a better term, through the surface and breaking the bond is a real challenge.

Something kinda similar to POR 15 for metal tanks?

[ducpainter]

Are there any products available to seal the tank from the inside to prevent the:
Something kinda similar to POR 15 for metal tanks?

I'm no chemist...

I would think there would be issues in getting something to stick to the inside the same as the outside. Adhesion to all plastics requires an adhesion promoter of some sort.

There are primers that will stick with mechanical abrasion, but how do you mechanically abrade the inside or apply an adhesion promoter, which needs to be applied in a very thin coat?

[Smokescreen]

That's an awesome looking tank!  Very 996/998/999 shape that actually flows with the lines of the bike very well!!  Considering the rather lousy range of my S2R1K, I'm thinking once you've got paint to stick to these things, one might find it's way into my maintenance budget!
W

[fasterblkduc]

I will be running this tank on my race bike starting in May. I've got a paint rep. that wants to try the procedure mentioned, so I'll be finding out if these can hold paint or not. I've worked out a program with Chris that I'm very excited about. I can't wait to put this tank through the ultimate test...which is surviving a race season. I will post updates on how the tank is doing throughout the season. It will see plenty of track time because I will also be coaching a performance riding school.

I can tell you from plenty of experience that the shape of this tank is far superior to the traditional Monster tank for track riding. It takes a different technique to corner hard on the stock tank. This tank will give your outside knee something to hold onto, which is how sportbike tanks are designed.
I'm also very excited to lose the extra weight. I've been using an S2r tank and this one is even lighter!
The extra fuel capacity will be great for endurance racing also.

One more way that this tank is far superior to the stock one has not been mentioned yet. The stock steel tanks will leak around the hinge plate if you even drop the bike sitting still. They leak like crazy unless you re weld the whole hinge plate. If you want to do trackdays, you really should consider that as a potential problem for your stock tank.

I will keep everyone updated throughout the season

[Beyote]

Keep us posted, this is awesome.

[junior varsity]

Wow, it turns out looking really good. Now I find myself starting a second penny jar.