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27th October 2008
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Biker
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 56 Sportster/Buell Model: 883 XL Sportster Sportster/Buell Year: 2002 Sportster/Buell Model #2: Buell M2 Cyclone Sportster/Buell Year #2: 2002
Reputation: 10
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Fiberglass Gas Tank
Does anyone use a fiberglass or carbon fiber tank on the road?
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28th October 2008
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Biker
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 56 Sportster/Buell Model: 883 XL Sportster Sportster/Buell Year: 2002 Sportster/Buell Model #2: Buell M2 Cyclone Sportster/Buell Year #2: 2002
Reputation: 10
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Reason I am asking is I am in the process of building a cafe bike and I like the look of the tank on the old KR's. I know there are a few vendors that sell fiber ones. But was wondering how safe they would be on the street. Any advice/suggestions would be a huge help.
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28th October 2008
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Senior Master Custom Bike Builder
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 18,157
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Make sure any fiberglass tank is treated on the inside. The ethanol found in more and more gas sources can dissolve the glass resins if it's not protected. This became a nightmare recently in the marine industry on some older boats.
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28th October 2008
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Senior Chief Harley Engineer
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 1,023 Sportster/Buell Model: 883/1200 Sportster/Buell Year: 88
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While I've never had a fiberglass tank, I would think there would be an issue it the bike ever went down (god forbid). With a metal tank, you get a dent, with fiberglass would'nt you get a hole?
just my .02
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28th October 2008
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The crazy one...
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Heatville
Posts: 2,512 Sportster/Buell Model: rigid 88" highly modified Sportster/Buell Year: '03 Sportster/Buell Model #2: iforgot Sportster/Buell Year #2: 80's Other Motorcycle Model: crs Other Motorcycle Year: 80's
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Fiberglass is great for molding shapes and custom tanks, but it raises some issues on a street bike. I looked into it before having a custom tank fabricated from steel. If you want a tank to last for years, steel is the answer. Not saying you can't make fiberglass last for years, because you can, but it takes a significant amount of maintenance.
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It is now "later" than it has ever been!
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28th October 2008
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Biker
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 56 Sportster/Buell Model: 883 XL Sportster Sportster/Buell Year: 2002 Sportster/Buell Model #2: Buell M2 Cyclone Sportster/Buell Year #2: 2002
Reputation: 10
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Yeah, i am still on the fence about a glass tank. Just looking for people's opinions and experiences before i decide.
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28th October 2008
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Senior Master Bike Builder
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: indiana pennsylvania
Posts: 2,108 Sportster/Buell Model: roadking classic Sportster/Buell Year: 01
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what about plastic?
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come over to the dark side we have cookies!
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28th October 2008
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Chief Know It All
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 409 Sportster/Buell Model: Buell Cyclone M2 Sportster/Buell Year: 2001 Sportster/Buell Model #2: Cafe Sportster Sportster/Buell Year #2: 2000 Other Motorcycle Model: 883 Sportster Other Motorcycle Year: 2002
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Buell tanks (prior to the current XB generation) are rotationally molded plastic and seem to be able to take a beating without structural failure.
But - I wouldn't recommend fiberglass for street use, even with proper maintenance, due to the whole "dent versus split" thing. Luckily, there are lots of steel and aluminium options for cafe style tanks.
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29th October 2008
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Biker
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 56 Sportster/Buell Model: 883 XL Sportster Sportster/Buell Year: 2002 Sportster/Buell Model #2: Buell M2 Cyclone Sportster/Buell Year #2: 2002
Reputation: 10
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Hey Zen,
besides your usual peanut tanks and fat bob style tanks, you got any links on other steel types. I am looking for the shape like the alloy road racer from storz. Or mebbe like the KR's.
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29th October 2008
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Senior Chief Master Mechanic
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 961 Sportster/Buell Model: XL 883 Sportster/Buell Year: 2004 Sportster/Buell Model #2: XL 1200 C Sportster/Buell Year #2: 2008 Other Motorcycle Model: Motomel X3M 125 Other Motorcycle Year: 2007
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if you crash, the fiberglass tank would probably get a hole, and in a slide with a hole, sparks ,etc, you will get a fireball
I would avoid fiberglass for a gas tank
__________________
Krono in Argentina
883 XL 2004, 1200 C 2008, Daelim Liberty 50cc, Motomel X3M 125
My Wife Yes. My Dog Maybe. My Harley?... NEVER!
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