OzVMX Forum

Clubroom => Tech Talk => Topic started by: zorroz on July 27, 2010, 07:02:06 am

Title: Storing bikes with plastic tanks
Post by: zorroz on July 27, 2010, 07:02:06 am
So what do you think. Leaving a plastic tank with no fuel causes it to dry rot and leaving fuel in them makes the tanks go yellow and crusty inside. Or should we splash fuel in them and drain it every now and then?
Title: Re: Storing bikes with plastic tanks
Post by: PEZBerq on July 27, 2010, 07:21:43 am
Dry rot? are Suzuki tanks made of wood ;D ;D Haven't heard of that problem before.
Title: Re: Storing bikes with plastic tanks
Post by: TT5 Matt on July 27, 2010, 07:37:46 am
didnt someone say that petrol leeches out the polymer out of the plastic and caused fuel to go off quicker in another post about 1-2 months ago
Title: Re: Storing bikes with plastic tanks
Post by: TT5 Matt on July 27, 2010, 07:50:07 am
go to page 5 of tech talk under 1989 cr250 chewing plugs and check eml's words of wisedom
Title: Re: Storing bikes with plastic tanks
Post by: huskibul on July 27, 2010, 07:56:50 am
  Was it fact or just heresay? Does it leech out over the lifespan of the plastic? in some cases 20-30 years ,is it the fuel that eventually make's it go chalky? interesting stuff for sure!
Title: Re: Storing bikes with plastic tanks
Post by: zorroz on July 27, 2010, 08:08:09 am
I've seen bikes that were unused for many years, restored, raced and have the tanks split. I think it happened to Doc's RM?

Here's one I prepared earlier:
(http://www.tradingpost.com.au/is-bin/intershop.static/WFS/Sensis-TradingPost-Site/Sensis-TradingPost/en_AU/UserImages/IMPEX_IMAGES_NDS/nds_10808/D1080800074868/Resized/Resized640x480_D1080800074868_L.jpg)

Its on of DDR's bikes:
http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Automotive/Motorbikes-ATVs/Motorbikes/AdNumber=D1080800074868?CRDealerID=1YwKoQwjLdUAAAEiyfBK_Ybv&HotlistView=true&ExternalHotlink= (http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Automotive/Motorbikes-ATVs/Motorbikes/AdNumber=D1080800074868?CRDealerID=1YwKoQwjLdUAAAEiyfBK_Ybv&HotlistView=true&ExternalHotlink=)
Title: Re: Storing bikes with plastic tanks
Post by: evo550 on July 27, 2010, 05:02:12 pm
Can't you just fill 'em with water ?
Title: Re: Storing bikes with plastic tanks
Post by: mainline on July 27, 2010, 05:36:30 pm
I had both a 78 Rm tank and a 79 yz125 tank split after being unused for a while. Don't know whether it's the reintroduction of fuel, or storage conditions?
Title: Re: Storing bikes with plastic tanks
Post by: oldfart on July 27, 2010, 05:39:59 pm
Had fuel in my Rm tank for 12 months. Drained it to restore it for CD7 and when competed I added new fuel and it split on both sides staright away  plus the front . Drained the fuel and the splits shrunk up to a hairline crack.        Was going to added something her  but thought better of it  ;)
In my Opinion todays fuels are NFG for leaded  fuel tanks of old.
I only leave about 1 litre in them with a open vent to allow for expansion and contraction.  
Title: Re: Storing bikes with plastic tanks
Post by: BJJ on July 27, 2010, 05:44:14 pm
With my YZ's,  I always drain the tank as soon as I get home from a meet.
Title: Re: Storing bikes with plastic tanks
Post by: LWC82PE on July 27, 2010, 07:40:31 pm
People have told me this is a major issue that appears isolated and most common in Queensland. Its to do with the 'tropics' and humid weather.
Title: Re: Storing bikes with plastic tanks
Post by: Rossvickicampbell on July 27, 2010, 07:52:45 pm
all the more reason to ride pre 75!!!!   :o ;D
Title: Re: Storing bikes with plastic tanks
Post by: All Things 414 on July 27, 2010, 08:16:16 pm
Never heard of it.  ???
Title: Re: Storing bikes with plastic tanks
Post by: Davey Crocket on July 27, 2010, 09:02:34 pm
Real bikes have alloy tanks!!
Title: Re: Storing bikes with plastic tanks
Post by: firko on July 27, 2010, 09:55:38 pm
I thought it was an urban myth until I saw the tank on my mates YZ125G split all around the bottom for no apparent reason not long after fueling it up for the first time in five or so years.I spoke to a wrecking yard bloke and he reckoned he never saw it in the old days but in recent years he's seen quite a lot of split tanks. He reckoned the new fuel had something to do with it.
Title: Re: Storing bikes with plastic tanks
Post by: jimg1au on July 27, 2010, 10:35:54 pm
my cz400 has a plastic tank i dont drain it keep a small amount of fuel in it at all times.also i start it up at least 1 time a week.
my cr250m has a platic tank but i use methenol it seams fine dont drain that either.
have 2 brand new plastic tanks never had fuel in them they eventuly will be used on bikes with methenol not petrol
jim
Title: Re: Storing bikes with plastic tanks
Post by: TT5 Matt on July 27, 2010, 10:56:50 pm
plastic does dry out take your common old garden hose   ever seen one 20-30 years old ???and if you did it would be hard,not very flexable and likely to crack easily, same with fuel hose.lets face it none of us have got climate controlled sheds and the best would be a cellar
Title: Re: Storing bikes with plastic tanks
Post by: Mike52 on July 28, 2010, 07:13:47 pm
Yer good on ya guys.
Scared the daylights out of me now.
Can,t wait to put juice in the PE.
Really looking forward to it.
Thanks :)