Homemade fibreglass fuel tanks?

**Padmei** · 24th May 2014, 22:20

Thinking of making one. Been looking at info on the net - will it all end up in a massive fireball?
What do you reckon?

**Ocean1** · 24th May 2014, 22:32

Snot difficult. You can get special resin for fuel tanks but while I'm not sure what the difference is I've made several tanks with common polyester resin without any problems.

**Mike.Gayner** · 24th May 2014, 22:34

This guy made one for his Sabre project:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...2W9W5ggKPFy30w

Looks fairly straight forward, lots of hours and fiddling involved. More than I could be bothered with. In an accident I'd say a glass tank is extremely likely to crack, but I doubt it'd be much of an issue.

**ducatilover** · 24th May 2014, 22:56

Very, very time consuming. If you're worried about the whole fire and/or leaks issue, either bladder it or run POR15 tank sealer

Kevlar mat as a middle layer is never a terrible idea either to eliminate massive smashing and leaking after impact, or cover it in tampons to absorb spills (I have seen the TV ads!)

**Kickaha** · 25th May 2014, 06:36

Pretty sure Eurodave used to make them, PM him and he might give you some info

**AllanB** · 25th May 2014, 13:58

All that work on the tank and he painted it like that ....

**Steve Gauge** · 25th May 2014, 17:38

bugger you for posting that link now ill have to watch the lot ,half way through - that tank looks like a big job .
the guy does a good job of keeping it all moving along

**AllanB** · 25th May 2014, 19:17

Agree - I spend a bit of this arvo flicking through just the fiberglass bits - comes out well but a shit load of work. Think I'd beat up alloy.

I did not see any pressure testing of the tank.

Also - considering the time involved ..... a Honda Sabre .....

**ducatilover** · 25th May 2014, 19:23

Originally Posted by AllanB

Agree - I spend a bit of this arvo flicking through just the fiberglass bits - comes out well but a shit load of work. Think I'd beat up alloy.

I did not see any pressure testing of the tank.

Also - considering the time involved ..... a Honda Sabre .....

Your tank shouldn't be under pressure anyway

I'd rather glass then beat alloy, unless you're a boss with an english wheel

**Ocean1** · 25th May 2014, 19:39

Originally Posted by ducatilover

Your tank shouldn't be under pressure anyway

I'd rather glass then beat alloy, unless you're a boss with an english wheel

And if you're going to make alloy shells then instead of welding them together you could bolt them, add a few simple mounts and roto-mould a nice HDPE tank which won't burn or dent.

**ducatilover** · 25th May 2014, 19:46

Originally Posted by Ocean1

And if you're going to make alloy shells then instead of welding them together you could bolt them, add a few simple mounts and roto-mould a nice HDPE tank which won't burn or dent.

Pretty sure if you are worried about burning, or denting a tank, the tank is the least of your concerns.

I end over ended my Kawasaki several times at neat 100 and the tank wasn't too bad to sort out

**Ocean1** · 25th May 2014, 20:03

Originally Posted by ducatilover

Pretty sure if you are worried about burning, or denting a tank, the tank is the least of your concerns.

I end over ended my Kawasaki several times at neat 100 and the tank wasn't too bad to sort out

*Shrugs* If you've got the time to fuck about making shit you might as well do it right, eh?

I mean if you're rebuilding a Montessa Cota then by all means use glass. Polished alloy for a classic by all means but of all the tanks I've fuched the vast majority have been dirt bikes that should have been plastic... and weren't.

**Padmei** · 25th May 2014, 20:28

All good shit thanks guys. I know it'd be a bit of work but the whole bike is a project.
My initial desire was to make a metal/ alloy tank but without an english wheel & years of experience doing it it will end up like shit. Glass I'm not too worried about. the bike (old BMW)isn't gonna be anything flash when finished & will prob get ridiculed anyway.

My ideal tank style is the old KZ one - very stylish in my books. Prob easier to make a mold off an existing one..... actually in saying that I know where there are a few in a guys workshop.....hmmm

**ducatilover** · 25th May 2014, 20:40

Originally Posted by Padmei

All good shit thanks guys. I know it'd be a bit of work but the whole bike is a project.
My initial desire was to make a metal/ alloy tank but without an english wheel & years of experience doing it it will end up like shit. Glass I'm not too worried about. the bike (old BMW)isn't gonna be anything flash when finished & will prob get ridiculed anyway.

My ideal tank style is the old KZ one - very stylish in my books. Prob easier to make a mold off an existing one..... actually in saying that I know where there are a few in a guys workshop.....hmmm

If you're just knocking up a one off tank, just make a sacrificial foam mold and go from there. Paint the resin on the glass matting before laying too, many people just lay it on then paint the resin over it, which is a poor way to do it and makes it weak

**Ocean1** · 25th May 2014, 21:22

Originally Posted by ducatilover

If you're just knocking up a one off tank, just make a sacrificial foam mold and go from there. Paint the resin on the glass matting before laying too, many people just lay it on then paint the resin over it, which is a poor way to do it and makes it weak

Unless you're using CSM, (and you probably should be) which is loosely stuck together with an agent that polyester resin dissolves.