My Gas Tank Keeps Breaking!

805lazy

New Member
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Joined
May 5, 2010
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Santa Barbara
The vibrations keep causing hairline fractures around the base of the mounting screw. I have been using old innertubes around the frame to reduce vibrations. My buddy had the same problem and fixed his by using Quicksteel epoxy (in lieu of a welder) to fill in the crack and reinforce the area around the base of the other mounts. Then, he coated the inside of his gas tank with fiberglass resin after cleaning the tank with thinner and prepping it with metal-etch. I tried the same thing except without using metal-etch, and the fiberglass ended up coming off in pieces, then the crack came back. I have been using old inner tubes around the bike frame to reduce vibration. I am now re-doing the quicksteel (2x as thick), using thicker rubber between the tank & frame, and keeping my fingers crossed until I order a new tank. Should I say f- the quicksteel and just try and find a welder? Has this happened to anyone else? Any words of wisdom are appreciated.
 
I had similar issue. What i did is put silyacone around base of screw forming a mound (dimond shape) around screw base. then with a washer or something squeesing down on it (when it's dry). That has been working for me for a month or so. Is'nt being aten away by gas or so i've noticed.
 
How I mount my tanks is to take a tarp (not to be confused with government bailout) strap that truckers hold their tarps secured. Cut to length, glue to bottom of tank, let dry and install. Studs need to be repaired (braised) and not patched (JB Wield) first.

The correct product to use for internal repair is just too expensive, you could buy 2 tanks for its cost. Came across this, might be of some use. Have used a similar product when we had metal tanks (don't even go there) in our vehicles with good results.
 
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How I mount my tanks is to take a tarp (not to be confused with government bailout) strap that truckers hold their tarps secured. Cut to length, glue to bottom of tank, let dry and install. Studs need to be repaired (braised) and not patched (JB Wield) first.

The correct product to use for internal repair is just too expensive, you could buy 2 tanks for its cost. Came across this, might be of some use. Have used a similar product when we had metal tanks (don't even go there) in our vehicles with good results.

Got any pics of this? I've been having gas tank issues, I ordered a new one and will start again from scratch. What kind of glue?
 
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I moved my tank back to the front and still no problems. I wrapped a sheet of cork gasket material around the top tube and electric taped around that than put tank on and double nutted the studs and stays tight.
 
I fixed the problem! used cut pieces of inner tubes and epoxy to set the clamps for a brand new tank on TOP of the bike frame instead of the bottom. Then drilled a hole in the center of the clamps through the frame, and screwed the clamps tight to the frame. With the epoxy an inner tubing, the clamps are secure. Then cut more tubing in half and epoxy'd to the bottom of the tank (3 pieces thick) and bolted the tank to the bike. I have less vibration on the bike now, the bolts for the tank dont have as much stress on them, and theres not as much stress on the tank so no cracking or leaking involved. Took some time to figure out how to set all this up. By the way, spookytooth sends their products LIGHTNING fast. My new tank and spark plug came in half the time boostbottle has spent shipping my other product. 2 weeks later still waiting on that one...
 
man!

to me it seems like you guys arent really addressing the real issue: why the heck do you have so much vibration that it can break something attached to the frame? If my tank were broken from vibration id have to wonder about the serious life expectancy of the rest of the bike..
 
man!

to me it seems like you guys arent really addressing the real issue: why the heck do you have so much vibration that it can break something attached to the frame? If my tank were broken from vibration id have to wonder about the serious life expectancy of the rest of the bike..

I'd bet that the engine itself is NOT mounted properly, if vibration is the actual cause. Over tightening can stress the material, crack the tank and break studs. All these engines vibrate for one reason or another. Without riding the bike one can't tell how bad it is. He never said vibration was an issue.
 
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