PLASTIC TANK REPLACEMENT!

[MAXdB]

Hey guys,

It's been a while since I last posted on the forum but I've had more time lately to log on and peruse through the site, and along with that, I had more time to put into the ol' S4Rs.  I've started to need to replace lots of parts to keep the bike looking pristine (bike's got over 30k miles).  The only part that always bugged me about the bike was the tank.  I've constantly been looking into replacements but for whatever reason, despite the apparent demand, there are almost no alternatives.  The only place I could find was beater from japan.. the last quote I got was about $2600 and a 5-6 month wait.  I was seriously considering it until I heard about Fuelcel.  http://www.eti-fuelcel.com/

I emailed John from Fuelcel about the possibility of an S4Rs tank and found he would be willing to have a limited run if it was for at least 5 people.  The price less shipping is $1600.

I know I'm definitely in, are there any others who would like to join in on this?  Who knows, maybe after this, Fuelcel will simply make the S4Rs tank a regular product, which would benefit the S4Rs owners who simply can't afford this right now..

Any interest?

[stopintime]

I have bookmarked Fuelcel previously, so I'm interested yes.

My bike is an S2R with another flange (round type). I also think there are some small differences between the shapes under the tank - to allow for the S4RS' larger/higher heads? If it turns out that the S4RS tank fits the S2R, it multiplies the customer base even though S2R owners would need to buy expensive S4RS fuel pumps/flanges.

What do we know about Fuelcels resistance to ethanol/moisture?

[MAXdB]

The website seemed to imply the tanks weren't subject to the same expanding issue but I double checked and asked John.  No such issues with these tanks.  I definitely wouldn't pay that much just to have to replace it soon.

[stopintime]

I see that they have that in writing on their website 

[SpikeC]

 I just checked their web site and was surprised to see a tank for my Bimota! Aftermarket parts are not exactly growing on trees for this bike! If I ever trash my alloy tank I will know where to go!

[kopfjäger]

Old thread on tanks.

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=34424.msg599626#msg599626

[MAXdB]

I really expected more owners to be interested in this.. maybe I was mistaken in believing that others would want to replace the lame plastic tank. 

[Dirty Duc]

I fitted a steel tank to mine... but now my fuel light doesn't work.

[Speeddog]

I really expected more owners to be interested in this.. maybe I was mistaken in believing that others would want to replace the lame plastic tank. 

You are not mistaken, folks do want to replace the plastic tanks.

The Beater tanks are an excellent value, IMO, just more money than most folks are willing to pay.

Even on the bikes where an earlier steel tank can be retrofitted, it's still more than most folks want to pay.

[Eric@S2R8]

I have a 2006 S2R 800, and I'd be happy to replace my lame-ass plastic tank.

I've only had the bike a year, so I'm still learning about the pros & cons of the various options.  Seems like it'd be best to buy a spare off eBay, and then have one drying for 6 months, while riding on the other??

With the fuel cell, I'd want to have it painted, and the dollars start flying . . .

[Wzed]

I have an ETI tank.  At the time I ordered mine, he didn't make them for S-R FI bikes, so I had to sacrifice a good tank so he could make a mold of it.  At the price he's asking, it's an amazing value (mine cost significantly more, and that's not including the new stock tank I had to send him) - there isn't a way to lose that much weight from your bike at that price save swapping out the stock battery for a LI one.  Having that much weight removed from the top of the bike also improved handling (and when paired with a set of CF wheels, it felt like I'd added 10hp to the motor).  It's also very dent-resistant - I had a car knock my bike over in a parking lot, and there wasn't a scratch on the tank (it wasn't painted at the time), even though my controls were busted.  Finally, it also has a larger capacity (I think an extra two gallons).  To be clear, it's not a CF tank, it's kevlar, so it doesn't have a CF weave pattern - it comes with a topcoat that can be painted (though I left mine unpainted, and it looked cool against a black frame and wheels).  I highly recommend it, even at a higher price point.  MAX, if you don't get enough takers here, you should try the other boards as well.

If it turns out that the S4RS tank fits the S2R, it multiplies the customer base even though S2R owners would need to buy expensive S4RS fuel pumps/flanges.

I ride an S2R, so he definitely makes them for S2Rs.  

[MAXdB]

I have an ETI tank.  At the time I ordered mine, he didn't make them for S-R FI bikes, so I had to sacrifice a good tank so he could make a mold of it.  At the price he's asking, it's an amazing value (mine cost significantly more, and that's not including the new stock tank I had to send him) - there isn't a way to lose that much weight from your bike at that price save swapping out the stock battery for a LI one.  Having that much weight removed from the top of the bike also improved handling (and when paired with a set of CF wheels, it felt like I'd added 10hp to the motor).  It's also very dent-resistant - I had a car knock my bike over in a parking lot, and there wasn't a scratch on the tank (it wasn't painted at the time), even though my controls were busted.  Finally, it also has a larger capacity (I think an extra two gallons).  To be clear, it's not a CF tank, it's kevlar, so it doesn't have a CF weave pattern - it comes with a topcoat that can be painted (though I left mine unpainted, and it looked cool against a black frame and wheels).  I highly recommend it, even at a higher price point.  MAX, if you don't get enough takers here, you should try the other boards as well.

I ride an S2R, so he definitely makes them for S2Rs.  

Thanks for the encouraging words, Wzed.  I'll definitely do that.

[CDawg]

Mishap this past weekend.  I am now in the market for a new S4RS tank.  Count me in!
Also, I think the price on the Beater aluminum tank is a little bit higher...

--Clifton

[blalor]

There are a handful of tanks on eBay right now.  I just bought a less-than-perfect one for $150 shipped that I'll use while my current tank "dries" before I coat it.

[dbran1949]

I am on my third tank, fortunately covered under warranty. I had the third one coated internally before i put it on but it came out of the box already expanded so it is still difficult to get it latched after I lift it to do any maintenance. So I am interested but actually more for an increase in volume. Any idea what the increase might be. With the full DP termi kit including air-box and ECU I usually only get about 75 miles before the warning light comes on. For some of my weekend rides I have to carefully plan the route. And I avoid any long rides.

The website does say increased volume - any indication what that might be for the S4RS tank?
thanks
Dan