Plastic Tank problems: Discussion thread, see info thread sticky for updates

[ducatiz]

Was this a new tank or a used tank that you coated?

[CDawg]

Was this a new tank or a used tank that you coated?

This was a brand new tank.  The Caswell was not diluted.

[ducatiz]

This was a brand new tank.  The Caswell was not diluted.

yeah, that's pretty weird.  especially with a new tank, there shouldn't be any adhesion issues at all.  my tank had had gasoline in it for 2 months when i drained, cleaned and dried it.  over a year later now on the same coating.

how long has yours been coated and what are you going to do? 

i'd want to see inside that tank to see what the coating is doing.  if you can't see any obvious problems, then there may be gaps in the coating.. it is very hard to say.

there are formulations of epoxy that adhere directly to nylon without an prep, but with a virgin tank there should be any issue for almost any formulations.

[jgrm1]

This is interesting as I am receiving a new tank (my third) this week.  I plan to trailer the bike to the dealership with an empty tank, so they will not fill my new tank with fuel.  This gives me the option to line a virgin tank once I get home.  Keep us posted CDawg.

-Jeff

[DRKWNG]

There's been a fair number of SC owners over on .MS that have reported tank swelling after their tanks had been coated for a while.  Still think I might be selling mine as soon as the new tank gets installed.

[twolanefun]

There's been a fair number of SC owners over on .MS that have reported tank swelling after their tanks had been coated for a while. 

Exactly! - Gene

[CDawg]

how long has yours been coated and what are you going to do? 

I've had my second tank since middle of last summer.  To be honest, I'm getting to the point where I think I should just save up the $5k and replace it with a metal tank and be done with the drama.  I'm not particular to the monster tank...maybe the new panegale tank it can be made to fit nice.

[ducatiz]

There's been a fair number of SC owners over on .MS that have reported tank swelling after their tanks had been coated for a while.  Still think I might be selling mine as soon as the new tank gets installed.

i haven't heard any of this. 

i would like to know the particulars of their tank and coating.

the multi people i've been in touch with haven't had any issues at all -- over 2 years and counting,

[twolanefun]

To be honest, I'm getting to the point where I think I should just save up the $5k and replace it with a metal tank and be done with the drama. 

$5K?  You can get one of the Ducati Custom tank/body kits for $1700 and a few mods and you are done.

[Uncle Mofo]

Or one of those Japanese hand made aluminum tanks

[jgrm1]

Or one of those Japanese hand made aluminum tanks

Yep, only $2344 delivered at today's conversion rate.  Add $258 for polishing.

http://www.moto-works.jp/beater/index.html#d9

-Jeff

[CDawg]

So I'm actually saving $2.5K by going aluminum!  I'm going to see how bad the Caswell coated expansion gets over the winter, but a metal tank is likely in the future.

[ducatiz]

So I'm actually saving $2.5K by going aluminum!  I'm going to see how bad the Caswell coated expansion gets over the winter, but a metal tank is likely in the future.

are you draining the tank or just letting it sit like that?

[CDawg]

are you draining the tank or just letting it sit like that?

I'm going to let it sit in gas with Stabil.  I bought the bike in 2008 so I still have a couple of years on the emission warranty for a new one...I'm thinking if I can get another replacement tank and then ebay it to help pay for the metal tanks......

[ducatiz]

I'm going to let it sit in gas with Stabil.  I bought the bike in 2008 so I still have a couple of years on the emission warranty for a new one...I'm thinking if I can get another replacement tank and then ebay it to help pay for the metal tanks......

Stabil isn't going to help.  Isopropanol (alcohol) and naphtha.  It is good as a temporary solution to freshen gasoline, but so far the only additive I've see that has anything but alcohol, naphtha or kerosene as an ingredient is K100.  K100 is the only one willing to show me an outside test of their product as well.