| Author | Message | ||
     Bluebueller |
This has been beat to death I'm sure, but maybe something new out there - has anyone had any luck with bikeskinz or similar type of wrap for the tank and fairings? I don't see a lot of great results with painting, it just starts peeling again a few years (even months) later. IF you do have experience (good or bad) can you show what you've done? | ||
| Brother_in_buells |
If you can stop the fuel vapour escaping through the plastic of the tank then its worth it to have the fuel tank quality painted! A lot here have tried and there are dozens of threads about it. If I'm correct , the longest time after a quality paintjob and leaving it dry and gassing out for six months was five years before the first bubble appeared again. Best option would be a aluminum fuel tank from Holtworks in the UK. Or a carbon cover around the visible side of fuel tank (someone on this forum made one for his S1 years ago) (Message edited by Brother in Buells on August 08, 2024) | ||
| Roconroad |
Thanks at the point of wanting to paint my s1 | ||
| Bluebueller |
I don't have the $$ for that aluminum one, but man does that tank look sweet! I'd do a cover for it but I haven't seen one for the cyclone. I've seen a few for the lightning though. | ||
| Brother_in_buells |
The Manta model fuel tanks are all the same size is what i know. Only difference is the fueltap or injection system. | ||
| Upthemaiden |
I want to say the tank cover may have been made by S1owner when he was around here more often, but I could be remembering that wrong. It definitely seems like the best way to go. I plan on making one someday when I'm ready to repaint my bike. Carbon fiber would be nice, but I think fiberglass is a little more realistic for me. Making the ring around the gas cap fit nicely and look good would be the trickiest part. Update: didn't have much luck searching for the one I was thinking of, but I did find this one: https://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/47623/797271.html?1481740410 Thinking about it more, S1owner had an aluminum tank he found on his bike, so it wasn't him, but I do remember seeing other pictures of a tank cover someone made as well. (Message edited by upthemaiden on August 20, 2024) | ||
| Oldog |
look for an x1 cover as a mold for a cover | ||
| Upthemaiden |
X1 tanks are a different shape | ||
| Rjn |
since my tank is (again) also showing signs of bubbling i have decided to go a different route. i saw this youtube video about forged carbon fiber, so i'm going to try that option. i don't have experience with applying carbon fiber, i did work with epoxy during a restoration of an oldtimer speedboat so we will see what the outcome will be. in the mean time i already scored a gastank, i'm still awaiting the other materials. link to youtube; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXiqhR9rGws keep you posted | ||
| Upthemaiden |
that did come out looking nice, and doesn't appear to be too overly complicated of a process. Were you planning on leaving the carbon appearance, or were you hoping to layer over the tank and then be able to paint over that? I'd be curious to hear how it holds up, if the carbon/epoxy holds up to the gas fumes or if it still tries to separate from the tank like the paint does from the fumes. | ||
| Rjn |
i'll keep the carbon appearance. try to keep costs low, already had the gastank repainted due to bubbling and blistering and that ain't cheap. it should bond together with the tank so i hope it becomes one with the tank and that the fumes exit via the vent line. it looks easy on Youtube, it's probably mostly the prep work, patience and trying. if i fail it is a lot of sanding in the future and retry. now i need to wait for the materials, the carbon fibers are in back order. they probably arive when i'm on holiday, so this will become an winter project for me. |
