| Author | Message | ||
     Egnblu |
Hello, I am looking at buying a 02 M2, 2800 miles, pm wheels, V&H exhaust, Buell seat. Looks to be in really great shape other than some paint bubbling around the filler cap. It isn't local, so cant go by anything other than pictures. The price is $3500. Anybody else think it may be a repaint? If it was repainted and it didnt bubble, I wouldn't mind, but if it is bubbling now, what will it do down the road? Is it worth buying at that price with the tank like that? I thought Buell/HD had the paint issues worked out before 02. I may be wrong since it is basically the same tank as a early model.  Thanks, Jimmy | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
That's not paint. You can wipe it right off with a solvent/paper towel. The gas will perk a tiny amount through the mounting holes and over time, they leave deposits. I bet I could stop mine by replacing the gasket on top or something but it has done it since day one and doesn't actually leak any finite amount. those deposits probably took a year to build up in the picture. | ||
| Brinnutz |
Nate, look not on the gas cap or ring, but on the plastic. That's paint bubbling. Don't wipe that off, unless you want bare spots. | ||
| Dpg |
I thought by 2002 the tanks were colored through the plastic in that Surylyn material. I have a 2002 M2 as well and thought the factory had remedied that bubbling issue. Friends with earlier models had/are suffering from the issue and needed to repaint. Maybe scrape the color on the bottom of the tank and see if the color comes off. Safe ride, Gary in Oaktown | ||
| Ratbuell |
All the tubers were painted. Maybe not the X1...but that's the only one AFAIK. Color molding didn't come into play until the XBs (aside from the possibility of the X1, which the more I think about it, the more I think it was molded plastic, at least on later ones). Our M2L has some small bubbles around the cap as well. Chemistry is chemistry. Buell got a lot *better* with the paint process by '99....but gas still wreaks havoc if it sits in the wrong place for too long. My thought? It's OEM paint. | ||
| Egnblu |
Thanks Guys. OEM or re-paint, is it going to get worse? If I replace the gasket on it will it make any difference? Jimmy | ||
| Dpg |
Strange, the first time I ran my Cortech saddlebags I didn't have my fab'd bracket made yet that keeps the bags out away from the wheel. On that trip the edges of the tail section were rubbed by the nylon tie downs and the plastic down in the scrapes were colored the same as the outer Volcano Grey body work. I used some 400 sandpaper to smooth out the edges. I think it was the same story on my red 2000 Blast which I salvaged and had to do some scrape repairs/sanding. Never had to do any painting. I know friends with S3Ts had the paint bubbling problem around the emblems on the tank. Fuel may eat away at the Surylyn material and that might look like paint bubbling up. Safe ride, Gary in Oaktown | ||
| Ratbuell |
The Blast has always been injection molded. I didn't think *any* of the metallics were injection molded, just because of 'waves' in the metal flake that pop up during the injection process. I think if you keep an eye on this tank, and don't let gas spill (or sit there, if it does spill) excessively, you'll be OK without much growth. At least, that's what I'm hoping on her M2L.... | ||
| Kalali |
It also looks like the ring around the gas gap was removed at some point. Just by looking at the condition of the screws and the adjacent area. As for the price, take a look at the classified and you will get an idea if the price is good. I would say if everything else is pristine, then $3500 is not a bad price. Just my opinion. | ||
| Koz5150 |
I have the same thing starting on my 2002 M2 around the gas tank filler. Over all, it is still in much better shape them ny 2002 Jeep Wrangler. Hey, it is a 7 year old bike, it won't be perfect. It is worth noting, mine has been that way for about 3 years and has not gotten anyworse. I think it may be due to the gas cap seal leaking a bit. Best bet is to keep the area clean and it should be fine. The rest of the tank on my bike is fine. |
