Does anyone in NZ fabricate metal fuel tanks?

[ktm84mxc]

Check out Acerbis and Clarke as these do over size if you don't like the color get a cover made up for it with a route/map pocket in it as these can be invaluable when cruising the back blocks and a hassle to keep pulling it outta ya pocket. An alloy tank will be expensive and time consuming , Acerbis used to axillary tanks that fitted where the rear fender was added about 5 lt mainly used on PD bikes.

[The Lone Rider]

RE: the $200

I've seen hand fabricated alloy tanks that were really well done, go for about $500-600 new.

[Morcs]

180kms isnt too bad.

I used to get as low as 110kms on my drz

[cave weta]

Im - really really old...... and I remember when plastic tanks fist got fitted to MX bikes- I also remember that there was no such thing as Enduro bikes - so we used to soften off the power of a YZ250 or RM250 with flywheel weights and we would 'blow up the tanks' to increase the capacity.
with the tank still fitted to the bike remove the fuel, fill with boiling water to within 2" of the neck and pump in 4-5psi with a hand pump. leave till cool and voila! 1.5 litres extra capacity.

[The Lone Rider]

Im - really really old...... and I remember when plastic tanks fist got fitted to MX bikes- I also remember that there was no such thing as Enduro bikes - so we used to soften off the power of a YZ250 or RM250 with flywheel weights and we would 'blow up the tanks' to increase the capacity.
with the tank still fitted to the bike remove the fuel, fill with boiling water to within 2" of the neck and pump in 4-5psi with a hand pump. leave till cool and voila! 1.5 litres extra capacity.

Is that with a plastic tank?

[cave weta]

Is that with a plastic tank?

Well I guess if it was with a metal tank you would have to heat the water more- but it should work.......

[The Lone Rider]

Well I guess if it was with a metal tank you would have to heat the water more- but it should work.......

I asked, because thermosetting plastics arent really effected by heat once set.

So it would seem odd heated water and some pressure would do anything.

[cave weta]

I asked, because thermosetting plastics arent really effected by heat once set.

So it would seem odd heated water and some pressure would do anything.

in that case you should be able to tell me then why plastic welding doesnt work?
and also how hot water doesnt soften the tank and allow it to take on a new shape ?

[jellywrestler]

Which begs the question... how do the OEM get their paint to stick to their plastic fuel tanks?

they dont read kiwibiker so don't know that it can't be done!

[The Lone Rider]

in that case you should be able to tell me then why plastic welding doesnt work?
and also how hot water doesnt soften the tank and allow it to take on a new shape ?

hot water would only work if you had thermoplastic


I'd find it odd if thermoplastic was used for a tank- the engine heat would deform it. But I have no idea whats used.

P.S.

You can weld both, but I believe thermoset plastic welding isn't true fusion welding but more of a filler/brazing weld. The heat doesnt really change it to reform. Extreme heat only degrades it.

[hayd3n]

they are most likely rotational moulded.