Topic: Custom made gas tanks

[thelowmax]

Anybody know what it costs to have a gas tank custom made? I've seen some made from scratch and I've seen some made by augmenting existing tanks. What about the pros and cons of aluminum tanks? Can anybody recommend a maker, preferably in New England?

[andy750]

This will give you and idea:

http://www.thetankshop.com/

and this guy was in New England not sure where he is now based

http://www.tanksbytigman.com/

cheers
Andy

[lucky]

Anybody know what it costs to have a gas tank custom made? I've seen some made from scratch and I've seen some made by augmenting existing tanks. What about the pros and cons of aluminum tanks? Can anybody recommend a maker, preferably in New England?

Some of the best aluminum craftsman are in england.
But think about this.... Aluminum condensates 3.75 times more than steel and with ethanol in our fuel now water is already a problem.
I would not want to add to that problem.
I would stick with the steel tank for now.
Just put a good lining in the tank when it is new. Caswell's liner is excellent!
Make sure to put some white colorant in the mix
.
I asked Caswell about that(colorant) and they approved it.
I got white epoxy colorant already mixed at TAP plastics for $6.00
All you need is one 2 oz. jar for one of their kits.
Mix the entire kit for the 77-78 gas tanks.
The earlier smaller tanks may need a little less but I would still mix the whole kit.

[Powderman]

Roccity cafes makes a quality alloy tank out of Rochester, N.Y.  They run around $700. Check this out he did last week:

http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=58432.0

The Tankshop shows an over year and half (40 months) wait on a tank

[Lostboy Steve]

Interesting about the aluminium tank condensation lucky. I never thought about that. My Buell had fuel in the aluminium frame and it was never an issue (every thing else was tho). I am a big fan of plastic. Call me crazy, but never had an issue with a plastic tank (not DOT approved though). Which brings me to wonder why they aren't? Cars have plastic tanks now. I've crashed many a dirtbike and atv, never having a fuel tank crack or leak.

[Powderman]

Interesting about the aluminium tank condensation lucky. I never thought about that. My Buell had fuel in the aluminium frame and it was never an issue (every thing else was tho). I am a big fan of plastic. Call me crazy, but never had an issue with a plastic tank (not DOT approved though). Which brings me to wonder why they aren't? Cars have plastic tanks now. I've crashed many a dirtbike and atv, never having a fuel tank crack or leak.

Actually plastic tanks are are DOT approved, fiberglass tanks are not. Ask anyone with a Ducati what they think of plastic gas tanks and get ready to have your ear bent. They are known to be absolute junk, expanding by about 30% when they get hot in the sun. So much so they will loosen from there mounts and almost fall off.

[754]

That roccity tank is reasonably. Priced..

[bjbuchanan]

One of those clubs where if you gotta ask, you don't belong...

Seriously tho the amount of hours usually runs atleast 700$ for these things. My best suggestion is to sit on the idea until someone abandons there project and the tank surfaces in the for sale threads for 2/3 the regular price. Benjies and roc city from time to time show up there.

I have heard about the plastic DUC tanks, real bad stuff what was happening with them. Fiberglass isn't approved because it cracks instead of deforming and when it does crack its likely to splinter a tank bladder that is probably being used nowadays anyway

[Powderman]

That roccity take is reasonably. Priced..

is this what you meant?  "That roccity tank is reasonably. Priced."

15-20 years ago I thought the alloy XR750 tanks Storz was having made were outrageously priced at $700. Not That price is not out of line at all to have a custom one made.
I had a conversation with a local cop on fiberglass tanks (mine is glass) and he had to think before agreeing that "yes, they were probably not legal, but most cops wouldn't know it and it would have to be a real dick cop having a bad day to write you for it."

[754]

Fixed it..damn puter guessing at my next word..
 That is about 9 hrs shop rate or less per tank.
 Unless done in another country.
Def have all the tooling and forms worked out..tunnel looks very simple to make
.Storz tank may be easier, have to see both underneath.
 Pretty hard to find craftsmen capable. Of that for 70 hr retail in Cali.

[Lostboy Steve]

This boggles my mind. I never knew Ducs had plastic tanks. Every street legal bike I've ever seen has a metal tank, including my 2013 wr250r. The aftermarket IMS tanks arent DOT approved. I think its a state by state law. Doing some further research, it seems that certain plastic tanks are legal for road use.

Are the glass tanks coated inside or left after the resin dries to hold gas.

[Powderman]

My glass tank from Legendary-Motorcycles has an ethanol safe liner in it. With today's ethanol blends it's a safe bet to line all tanks now.

[Steve_K]

One thought about a aluminum tank is,  you can leave it unpainted.  I think that looks very cool!
Steve

[thelowmax]

One thought about a aluminum tank is,  you can leave it unpainted.  I think that looks very cool!
Steve

That's why I'm interested. I love the look of polished aluminum.

[anders288]

1+ Roccity made my tank

         

[thelowmax]

1+ Roccity made my tank

         

Oooooooooooooooooh. NICE! What did that cost?

[anders288]

1+ Roccity made my tank

         

Oooooooooooooooooh. NICE! What did that cost?

 
                        only $800

[thelowmax]

1+ Roccity made my tank

         

Oooooooooooooooooh. NICE! What did that cost?

 
                        only $800

Not bad.

[thelowmax]

i've only seen one other like this. Pretty cool.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-CB750F-Super-Sport-1975-78-SHOW-CHROME-FUEL-TANK-/201085159829?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276