Topic: Using a fiberlgass gas tank??

[76kcafe]

I have a 74 cb750 that Im building into a dragbike. I have a vintage fiberglass tank that I want to use. I was told that the new ethanol fuel is causing issues with fiberglass tanks and eating the fiberglass away. Is this true? Is there a sealant that can be used to prevent this from happening like POR15? Thanks in advance.

[Howell]

Don,t use fibreglasstanks with modern fuels, read this:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=63228.250

[Sam Green Racing]

I have a 74 cb750 that Im building into a dragbike. I have a vintage fiberglass tank that I want to use. I was told that the new ethanol fuel is causing issues with fiberglass tanks and eating the fiberglass away. Is this true? Is there a sealant that can be used to prevent this from happening like POR15? Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the forum 76, further to what Rene said, earlier this year, I put fresh fuel in a glass tank and within 15 minutes it was leaking all over the place. I did this after reading of Rene's problems and of others that had had the same problems with modern fuels with Ethanol added. I made sure the fuel I used did not contain any alcohol based additives but it destroyed the tank anyway. Whatever additives it did have in it, it sure likes to eat GRP.
What type of drag racing are you planning on doing and where are you?

Sam.

[Retro Rocket]

It needs coating with a fuel or chemical resistant epoxy resin then you should have no troubles at all.

Mick

[Ricky_Racer]

Yeah, what Mick said, only there's more!

The guy who builds our tanks literally "owns" the TF drag racing tank biz and, with his proprietary glass formula has never had a fuel-related failure with any race or street fuel!  Our tanks are guaranteed against delamination for two years. So enough already with the mis-information that ALL glass tanks are subseptible to delamination from modern fuels...

If you start with #$%*e, you're gonna end up with #$%*e!  RR

[Old Scrambler]

Vinyl-Resin Glass tanks are not effected (to date) by modern fuels and are stronger than conventional 'old-school' glass tanks.  If you want to use your old tank........line it every 2 or so years (Red Kote; Pour-15; etc) to protect your investment.  Check your local track rules........some reports are out there that require 'safe' gas tanks....whatever that means.

[Sam Green Racing]

I'm not sure what formula I constructed mine from, it may have been cellulose which will not tolerate any type of alcohol but the Shell V Power I used did not contain Ethanol.


Sam.

[nippon]

As RR said,

we have one of our tanks setup on a Guzzi race bike in Europe for more than one year. Parked it in the workshop for the last two months with a full tank of 5% ethanol gasoline (usualy used in Europe). No leaks.

nippon

[seaweb11]

Tracy tank here, Por-15 treatment, 2 years now with no issues.

[MRieck]

Yeah, what Mick said, only there's more!

The guy who builds our tanks literally "owns" the TF drag racing tank biz and, with his proprietary glass formula has never had a fuel-related failure with any race or street fuel!  Our tanks are guaranteed against delamination for two years. So enough already with the mis-information that ALL glass tanks are subseptible to delamination from modern fuels...

If you start with #$%*e, you're gonna end up with #$%*e!  RR

Well done.

[76kcafe]

Thanks for the info guys.
Sam, Im from central Pennsylvania. I am not really planning on racing the bike a lot, it will be more so for show and just riding on the street. Not sure what size engine yet, but I have an old ATP turbo kit for it.