Storing bikes with plastic tanks

[zorroz]

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?

[PEZBerq]

Dry rot? are Suzuki tanks made of wood Haven't heard of that problem before.

[TT5 Matt]

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

[TT5 Matt]

go to page 5 of tech talk under 1989 cr250 chewing plugs and check eml's words of wisedom

[huskibul]

  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!

[zorroz]

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:


Its on of DDR's bikes:
http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Automotive/Motorbikes-ATVs/Motorbikes/AdNumber=D1080800074868?CRDealerID=1YwKoQwjLdUAAAEiyfBK_Ybv&HotlistView=true&ExternalHotlink=

[evo550]

Can't you just fill 'em with water ?

[mainline]

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?

[oldfart]

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.  

[BJJ]

With my YZ's,  I always drain the tank as soon as I get home from a meet.

[LWC82PE]

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.

[Rossvickicampbell]

all the more reason to ride pre 75!!!!   

[All Things 414]

Never heard of it. 

[Davey Crocket]

Real bikes have alloy tanks!!

[firko]

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.