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

[ducatiz]

I've got an '05 S2R800 tank that I've had hanging from the rafters in my shop for ~5 years.
I'm in SoCal, we've averaged 10" of rain per year during that time.
So it's pretty f'n dry.

It's still ~5mm too wide at the tank rubbers.

that is probably within normal variances.  the tanks deform a bit from heat too.

[ducpainter]

that is probably within normal variances.  the tanks deform a bit from heat too.

Are we talking lawyer tolerances/variances...

or mechanic tolerances/variances?

[ducatiz]

Are we talking lawyer tolerances/variances...

or mechanic tolerances/variances?

probably both, but i've found the measurement to vary a bit.  the tank is flexible and the rubber frame stops have slots that allow them to move about 8-10mm to account for minor variance between tanks & frames.

[ducpainter]

probably both, but i've found the measurement to vary a bit.  the tank is flexible and the rubber frame stops have slots that allow them to move about 8-10mm to account for minor variance between tanks & frames.

...and that is the way the steel tank parts were manufactured also.

It depends if the tank is 5 grand over nominal or maximum...

no?

...and if the max allowable on the rubbers only allow for + or - 4 or 5 mm it might be an issue.

Wouldn't you agree counselor?

[Speeddog]

It's 5mm too wide with the rubbers pushed all the way inboard.

[ducatiz]

It's 5mm too wide with the rubbers pushed all the way inboard.

Yup.  That's not good. 

[Airborne]

I know I’m 190 pages behind in this thread, but I’m on my second tank. Never caswell coated, I just completely drain the tank with “the ultimate siphon” after every time I ride. I call it the bologna defueling procedure. It seems to work, when the tank expands I just let it sit empty for a while and it goes back to normal.

[booger]

I followed IZ's instructions to the letter, for a tank that sat without fuel in it for quite a few months to a year I can't remember. But the thing was dry. Washed it out best I could, hot water & Dawn. Let dry again. Cut the inside tank surface with xylene as IZ instructed. Coated it with Caswell after mixing a little xylene in to the mix as per IZ's instructions. No problems after about 3 years or so, or none that I notice with my naked eye. The space between the front of the tank and the ignition has remained the same. Not sure/ have not officially quantified the tank width but it looks the same. I even let fuel sit in it over the winters which I know I should not do but I do it anyway because I'm lazy. No problems. Going to stop leaving fuel in it because it's just so wrong but I have seen no problems at all. The coating process is a pain but it worked out for me. Take thy time and do it right, and your results might be same.

[koko64]