Fibreglass fuel tank?

**BOGAN02** · 4th October 2010, 18:04

Well ive been reserching glass tanks and it seems to me that no one got any problems with them. was wondering if any kiwis have glass tanks and if anyone can hook me up with some info. cause im a glasser by trade and not 100% sure bout gas n glass. Cheers

**Motu** · 4th October 2010, 19:05

I've had a couple of bikes with fibreglass tanks in the past,and they gave no problems.

**cs363** · 4th October 2010, 19:11

Check this thread out: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/ar...p/t-42100.html

I could be wrong, but from what I understand, nothing wrong with fibreglass tanks - the issue could be if you're wanting to use it on the road, then you'll have to get it LVV certified.

**schrodingers cat** · 4th October 2010, 19:17

As a thermo-setting plastic material the resin, whether polyester or 2 part, is unaffected by fuel.
The only problem with fibreglass and liquids is if the fibres are able to come into direct contact with the fluid. Over time the liquid will 'creep' up the fibre. This is called osmosis. That's one of the reasons for gel coat.

If you use woven cloth then the tank will be strong but flexible. It you bag it and vacuum it then the tank will be strong and light. There is no reason the tank shouldn't be lighter than an aluminium one
I'd use a 2 part resin because it is less brittle than polyester

**BOGAN02** · 4th October 2010, 23:15

Originally Posted by schrodingers cat

If you use woven cloth then the tank will be strong but flexible. It you bag it and vacuum it then the tank will be strong and light. There is no reason the tank shouldn't be lighter than an aluminium one
I'd use a 2 part resin because it is less brittle than polyester

Yea im not worried bout weight as im takin a mould off the tank ive got for my ride but its rusted to f*ck!! and plus i wana use up some more of the room round the top of the frame. The tank doesnt quite go down as far as id like and for what i vision of the bike a slightly bigger tank but with the same shape would be mean.

As for cert.... the bike is pretty uhhh "custom" any way so still wondering if im guna get it fully legal or keep it for a toy.

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HA all this from messing round on the rattlers website. haha

**jonbuoy** · 5th October 2010, 04:12

PM Eurodave he´s a great guy makes a lot of fibreglass stuff including tanks. I´ve got an old Dunstall fibreglass tank which has some osmosis on the base (that tank is over 30 years old though). I scrape back the gelcoat and fill as they appear but I think its near its end of days. In the states they have a problem with ethanol blended fuels and some types of resin but I don´t think anywhere in NZ has ethanol blend fuel?

**imdying** · 5th October 2010, 12:49

Originally Posted by cs363

the issue could be if you're wanting to use it on the road, then you'll have to get it LVV certified.

This is true.

Originally Posted by schrodingers cat

As a thermo-setting plastic material the resin, whether polyester or 2 part, is unaffected by fuel.

VER was original designed for chemical tanks IIRC, so it's probably a good one to look at first.

Originally Posted by schrodingers cat

The only problem with fibreglass and liquids is if the fibres are able to come into direct contact with the fluid. Over time the liquid will 'creep' up the fibre. This is called osmosis. That's one of the reasons for gel coat.

This is true too. I'd consider "POR15ing" it too.

Originally Posted by schrodingers cat

If you use woven cloth then the tank will be strong but flexible. It you bag it and vacuum it then the tank will be strong and light. There is no reason the tank shouldn't be lighter than an aluminium one
I'd use a 2 part resin because it is less brittle than polyester

Yeah, I'd bag it and use a bit of woven kevlar on the bits that can drag on the ground in a crash too.

Originally Posted by BOGAN02

As for cert.... the bike is pretty uhhh "custom" any way so still wondering if im guna get it fully legal or keep it for a toy.

LVV Certification covers the entire vehicle, so just wait till the end and get it all done at once for the same price. Worth keeping in touch with your certifier as you go along though, just to make sure you're not doing anything you need to alter later

**imdying** · 5th October 2010, 12:51

Originally Posted by jonbuoy

PM Eurodave he´s a great guy makes a lot of fibreglass stuff including tanks.

If he's done it before, then he's your nigger... not much beats experience.

**BOGAN02** · 6th October 2010, 10:21

Originally Posted by imdying

If he's done it before, then he's your nigger... not much beats experience.

Cheers imdying. Im a glasser myself by trade so ill probly do it in the shed. lol

**imdying** · 6th October 2010, 11:21

Go hard and post pics

/edit: Nothing wrong with doing it in the shed mate, I've a small composite oven and a bagging setup in mine

**{.bLanK}G_o_D** · 20th November 2010, 16:24

If your current tank doesn't have gaping holes, POR15 will fix it.
I just did my tank, it's bloody good stuff.

**ellipsis** · 20th November 2010, 17:16

.....had one on a racing machine...held fuel for a lot of years....one contact with the tarmac and all of a sudden leaked like niagara falls where the base was attached to top of tank...was real cool for all those years before that tho....

**Moooools** · 21st November 2010, 21:13

Vinyl Ester Resin is what I was told to use. Just went to a boat builder and got them to decant me some into a glass jar and a bottle. Cost me all of $15 for enough for a gas tank.

Haven't used it yet though.