Better gas tank???

GoldenMotor.com

gnarlshark

New Member
Dec 23, 2008
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Austin Tx
I am still building my bike and while test fitting the gas tank one of the bolts snapped about 1/4 inch from the tank. I can't see of any way to easily repair this so I guess I have to order a new one. Does anyone make a higher quality tank or are they all pretty much the same? the tank I have also came with some rust in it. I planned to put a liner in it but I don't want to spend money ($30+) on that unless I have a tank that will last. Please help. .bld.
 

2door

Moderator
Staff member
Sep 15, 2008
16,302
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63
Littleton, Colorado
I am still building my bike and while test fitting the gas tank one of the bolts snapped about 1/4 inch from the tank. I can't see of any way to easily repair this so I guess I have to order a new one. Does anyone make a higher quality tank or are they all pretty much the same? the tank I have also came with some rust in it. I planned to put a liner in it but I don't want to spend money ($30+) on that unless I have a tank that will last. Please help. .bld.
Many of the tanks come with rust...it's part of the package. Drop in a handfull of pea gravel and shake the heck out of it then flush it with hot water and blow dry it with compressed air before you install the fuel petcock. As for repairing the broken stud...it can be done but you need the services of a very good welder. New tanks are available but I'm afraid you're going to find the quality pretty much universal. As for twisting off the stud, this is a problem encountered by many first time builders and not just with the tank. Do not, do not, overtighten any nut or bolt on your engine, chain tensioner or rear sprocket. If it has a lock washer tighten it just enough to flatten the washer then just a slight twist more...very slight. Use Loctite on everything and don't listen to the advice that you need to retorque every time you ride. That's how bolts, screws, and studs get stripped or broken. Check thatsdax.com for a new tank but you might want to seek the advice of a local professional welder before you invest in a new fuel tank. Hope this helps.
Tom
 

Retmachinist

New Member
Oct 21, 2008
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Urbandale Ia
I am still building my bike and while test fitting the gas tank one of the bolts snapped about 1/4 inch from the tank. I can't see of any way to easily repair this so I guess I have to order a new one. Does anyone make a higher quality tank or are they all pretty much the same? the tank I have also came with some rust in it. I planned to put a liner in it but I don't want to spend money ($30+) on that unless I have a tank that will last. Please help. .bld.
Do you still have 1/4 inch of threads on the broken stud? If so it would be very easy to make a 5MM extension coupling. That would save you $30 bucks. It would be nice if they would make those studs 6MM, would save a lot of people a lot of problems. Let me know if you need some help.

John
 

Bikeguy Joe

Godfather of Motorized Bicycles
Jan 8, 2008
11,837
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up north now
....or, use the last 1/4" of thread and make a longer strap for that mount.

Furnace duct hanger strap works and is cheap.
 

offroad

New Member
Dec 31, 2008
43
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Connecticut
I saw an engine with the fuel tank behind the rider seat. Looks like a bike bag. Seems like a smart way to do the tank, and have a little more stealth. My concern is stealth. Having enough covers to not let anyone know you have an engine, when the engine is turned off. Cover it with a black zipper bag (canvas, etc.) and let people think it is just another bike bag, on the bike. Wonder if I could get my local bus to carry the bike, not knowing what it is they are carrying.

The tank is on a bike for the front page of SICK BIKE PARTS.
 
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WOLF IV

New Member
Jan 13, 2009
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dana point, ca.
just an alternative option ....im building one from a r/c plane 32oz. tank that has the correct dementions to fit insid my dummy tank, . ill try to post a pic./. im an engineer, but dont do much drawing when it comes to fabricating... but sometimes ill put iit on paper for #'s only...
 

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offroad

New Member
Dec 31, 2008
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Connecticut
are gas tanks required to have some kind of safety expansion valve, for if they are getting hot and creating internal pressure?
 

2door

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Sep 15, 2008
16,302
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Littleton, Colorado
just an alternative option ....im building one from a r/c plane 32oz. tank that has the correct dementions to fit insid my dummy tank, . ill try to post a pic./. im an engineer, but dont do much drawing when it comes to fabricating... but sometimes ill put iit on paper for #'s only...
Wolf,
I'm intrigued with your idea. I'm also familar with model airplane fuel tanks and I'm curious how you fill your tank. I'm currently looking for an old cruiser, with a tank, and I want to make the tank functional. The airplane tank idea is a good one but knowing how I have to fill my plane's tanks, with an electric fuel pump and 3/16" hose, that seems to make refueling a bike quite a process and almost impossible out on the road. Just asking.
Tom
 

Retmachinist

New Member
Oct 21, 2008
635
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0
Urbandale Ia
are gas tanks required to have some kind of safety expansion valve, for if they are getting hot and creating internal pressure?
Since these are gravity feed systems it will definitly have to be vented with a vented cap or whatever. Don't think just a expansion valve or check would work.

John
 

WOLF IV

New Member
Jan 13, 2009
53
0
0
dana point, ca.
Wolf,
I'm intrigued with your idea. I'm also familar with model airplane fuel tanks and I'm curious how you fill your tank. I'm currently looking for an old cruiser, with a tank, and I want to make the tank functional. The airplane tank idea is a good one but knowing how I have to fill my plane's tanks, with an electric fuel pump and 3/16" hose, that seems to make refueling a bike quite a process and almost impossible out on the road. Just asking.
Tom
ILL POST SOME PICS AS I JUST GOT A FEW TANKS OFF LINE TODAY IN THE MAIL (T&A). I POSTED THE TANK WRONG, ITS ONLY 24 OZ. BUT SHOULD BE FINE PROVIDING SUFFICENT VENTING TO PREVENT VACUUM ON THE TANK AND MAKING SURE OF ANGLE OF TANK AN HIGHTH/ GAS HEAD PREASSURE/VOLUUM FOR GOOD FLOW.I PUT AN INLINE FILTER AND VENT OFF THE TOP WITH A COILED UP FUEL LINE TO PREVENT BACK FLOW WHEN FILLED.ILL FILL IT WITH A 1'' STAINLESSPIPE/90 DEG I FABED ALONG WITH A CAP I FABBED AS WELL, I DRILLED A 1'' HOLE IN SOME SPARE PLEXYGLASS PIECES AND WILL DRILL THROUGH THE DUMMY TANK WITH 4 HOLES AROUND THE 1'' HOLE.... ILL DO 4 CLEAN RIVITTS HOLDING THE TWO TANKS TOGETHER... ILL POST PICS AS THEY TELL THE BUILD BETTER THAN I. I HAD TO FLIP THE TANK UPSIDEDOWN FOR GRAVITY FLOW TO WORK PROPERLY AS YOULL SEE IN THE LAST PICS.SPENDING TIME WITH MY BOYS UNTIL 8;00 45 MIN. THEN ILL PUT THEM TO BED AND CONTINUE THE TANK...PLEASE EXCUSE THE SPELLING...( ALWAYS) :)
 

WOLF IV

New Member
Jan 13, 2009
53
0
0
dana point, ca.
Wolf,
I'm intrigued with your idea. I'm also familar with model airplane fuel tanks and I'm curious how you fill your tank. I'm currently looking for an old cruiser, with a tank, and I want to make the tank functional. The airplane tank idea is a good one but knowing how I have to fill my plane's tanks, with an electric fuel pump and 3/16" hose, that seems to make refueling a bike quite a process and almost impossible out on the road. Just asking.
Tom
ILL PUT UP MORE PICS IN A MIN. THE FITH PIC IS THE SECOND VENT(ON EITHER SIDE) OF FILL SPOUT..
 

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WOLF IV

New Member
Jan 13, 2009
53
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0
dana point, ca.
Hres 5 More Pics( Max??) I Have One More For Now .. I Think You Will Get The Idea..
OK, WIFES HOME EARLY!!! WOOHOO... GOING DOWN TO THE GARMANRAGE TO FINISH..HERES WHERE I LEFT OFF. ILL HAVE TI TRIM THE PIPE AS I LEFT IT LONG .. ILL ALSO DRILL THE TANK ON THE PRESS @ WORK TOMARROW ALONG WITHFULLY MOUNTING IT. IM THINKING THAT I MAY HAVE TO RUN THE INLET LINE FROM THE PLASTIC NIPPLE UNDER THE TANK LOWER FUEL LEVEL.. WE WILL SEE.ILL SIMULATE TOMARROW.
 

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WOLF IV

New Member
Jan 13, 2009
53
0
0
dana point, ca.
finished tank and installation. i ended up plugging the main hole in the real tank and drilled out the lowest point nipple for fuel draw. the only vent id @ the cap.. works great. i also did without a petcok and used a fut stopper off m r/c truck , it pinches the line and holds until unpinched. (simple) w/ no mounting required.
 

WOLF IV

New Member
Jan 13, 2009
53
0
0
dana point, ca.
i did all this and it turned out how i wnted.ill see the practicality of having onley a 24 oz. tank. if its not practicle ill be doing a two part mold off the inside of the dummy tank.im just needing to know if fiber glass, say two 4 0z. layers and resin/ epoxy not sure wich will hold uop to the gas??? i can also gel coat the inside of the tank but again unsure if its able to be in constant contact with fuel/oil... any one know??? also i could make these readily avaliable if desired. carbon fiber whatever....
 

MB-Monkey

New Member
Nov 19, 2008
462
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51
Manchester TN USA
that is a fantastic setup. It will limit your distance at 24oz in half so around 30 miles give or take which for the look it would be worth it i don't find myself driving more then 15 to 20 miles in one day . what would a tank setup run price wise?
 

WOLF IV

New Member
Jan 13, 2009
53
0
0
dana point, ca.
that is a fantastic setup. It will limit your distance at 24oz in half so around 30 miles give or take which for the look it would be worth it i don't find myself driving more then 15 to 20 miles in one day . what would a tank setup run price wise?
I ASUME YOUR REFERING TO THE SET UP IT HAS NOW -I UTILIZED CRAP PARTS, PLEXY GLASS, ALUMINUM ANGLE , STAINLESS PIPE, UNION ECT..AND CUT AND WELDED TO FAB EVEN THE FUEL CAP. PLASTIC EPOXY-6.00$ , R/C PLANE TANK-10.00$ SO IT COSTED ME 16.00$.. NOW , TO DO THE MOLDED INLINER TANK IT WOULD COST MAYBE 25-30$ IN PARTS/MATERIAL, BUT SHAPING THE TOOL AND CASTING THE MOLDS IS THE TIME CONSUMING PART. IM MOST LIKELY GOING TO GO THIS ROUTE WHEN I GET TIME OR IF THIS TANK IS NOT GOOD ENEPH. I FIGURE THAT THE MOLDED TANK SHOULD HOLD OVER A 1/2 GAL.( MORE THAN THE STOCK....)THE ONLY DRAW BACK TO THE INNER TANK SET UP IS BEING UNABLE TO VISUALLY SEE YOUR FUEL QUANITY... I DIDNT WORRY ABOUT THHIS TOO MUCH AS I HAVE A SPEEDO AND WILL DO SOME T/A TO FIGURE OUT EXACT MILAGE@ FIRST.