[lt500r_quadzilla]

Hello all,

I am building a Honda CR750 cafe racer replica and need to have a tank made. Any suggestions on who to have make it?

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[JD]

Airtech makes a replica tank. very popular with the guys who build replica racers. www.airtech-streamlining.com

 

[lt500r_quadzilla]

Thanks for the response,

I have looked at their stuff but have a concern about a fiberglass tank.

I have heard that gasoline with Ethanol attacks the actual fiberglass used in the construction of the tank? It causes bubbles or some kind of deformation?

Have you ever heard of this?

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[JD]

not sure if I've heard that one. I would just ask them. they may put a gelcoat inside the tank like they do the outside that's more fuel resistant.

 

[lt500r_quadzilla]

I think that might be the best bet. I'll call them and inquire!

Thanks again for your help

 

[JD]

no problem. I've seen those tanks and they're awful purty.

 

[joe c]

ive seen 30year old glass tanks. they are tough as hell. and can be fixed without banging dents out.

i could see that if you had some schmuck layup the glass with the wrong resin it could go horribly wrong, but ive never heard of it either.

j

 

[aaron]

I have heard of the issue with potent fuels eating fiberglass. I haven't seen it. I'm pretty sure airtech's stuff will be resistent but like JD said I would ask.

Aaron

 

[joe c]

ive heard of the uber fules doing all kinds of weird things. ive never seen it eat a hole through a glass tank though. (imagine the mess in the carbs??? holy crap!) i guess the real question should be what kind of gas are you using?? will it be for street or track use?? with pump gas, you should have a problem. if you go through airtech, definitely ask. im also trying to track the guy down i know who rode one of the hanson bikes to see if he knows who made the parts for that bike. if i find out, i post it here. it wasnt probably made in this country though, or its original stuff from the day or something insane. whats tony the knifes tank??? aint that glass?

jc

 

[Chikor]

did you consider a custom tank builder? it may be a bit expensive but i think it may be well worth the time and money....

you may also want to look around at www.vjmc.org

"Ride Fast and Take Chances"

Edited by - chikor on Feb 12 2004 09:09:50 AM

 

[tmb]

Hi all. I'm new. Thought I'd chime in.

I have to agree with Chikor. A one-off tank is worth the investment--especially if you're not going to ride it on the track. Take a look at some of these sites:
1. www.thetankshop.com
2. www.mts.net/~sbarham
3. www.125er.net
4. www.tabaker.co.uk/TAB_W_SITE/index.html

There's also another Germany company that I can't remember right now. And then there's Peter Kytle (sp?) from the U.K.. Peter and Evan are gernerally regarded as the best pounders in the biz. If I remember correctly, one of Peter's CR750 tanks just sold on eBay for over $1,000.

One thing to remember is that thick fiberglass (like old Rickman tank thick) is more resiliant than the kind of aluminum that most pounders make their tanks from. But that shouldn't be a problem for a smooth-running CB750.

I hope this helps.

-Gary

 

[joe c]

they often sell for about 1300 or so from what ive been told. if you want to do the real deal, you have to go alum. the factory cr's had alum tanks. if you want to spend the $$$ i can get you a contact. but most of that info has already been posted here. the tank shop ive heard alot of good things about and know people who buy form them.

later
j

 

[joe c]

also, in cycle world this month there is an article on a guy from southern california who is a jewelry maker who does the alum tanks. the ducati caferacer featured looked beautiful


j

 

[Chikor]

that is a very nice duc, did you see Jesse's honda cafe? i got something planed too...<img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle>

"Ride Fast and Take Chances"

 

[joe c]

yeah, i saw that honda.....red huh?? the ducati was much nicer i think. i read k.c's article on chatter and frame stiffness. that was pretty interesting.


j

 

[Chikor]

chatter? i'm in daytona! if i was home in VT i think that i could relate to the whole chatter thing....i will read it, next time i'm in the "office"....

"Ride Fast and Take Chances"

 

[joe c]

sometimes his articles "bore" the hell out of me, haha..get it...doh! sometimes they are just right. in person, he's much more colorful. there was very cameron-esque responce in the readers column about how beer cans keep ridgid with beer in them.

later

jc

 

[daytona]

I don't know how old this post is, but from what I've heard...

the fiberglass' resilience to the gas depends on the epoxy used to make it. There are two types a Polyester resin and something else...can't remember. I've also heard that there is some kind of coating, that once the tank is done, can be poured in, swished around and poured out. It leaves behind some kind of protective coating.

I don't think the gas would eat through any kind of fiberglass, these are just different things that help improve its life.