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New Fiberglass Tanks on ebay
- Thread starter swooshdave
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I recently bought a new FG fastback tank from a company in the UK who said the tanks were made of ethanol-proof resin but they still recommended the tanks be sealed with Caswells or something similar before being put into service. I don't think anybody really KNOWS if a resin is really going to be ethanol proof until it's been in use for some years. Several companies offer new FG tanks that are proclaimed to be "ethanol proof" but none of them offers a guarantee of that... 
The ebay description didn't say anything about this tank being able to withstand the ravages of ethanol. I don't know what Phenol Epoxy fuel proofer is.
I 'm done with any tank that is not metal. I recently ordered a new aluminum tank. Still awaiting it's arrival.
I 'm done with any tank that is not metal. I recently ordered a new aluminum tank. Still awaiting it's arrival.
I just went to the Daytona Vintage Races last week with the guy who makes these tanks and offers them on eBay. I know for a fact that the tank's composition is made from the same viny ester that underground gasoline storage tanks are made from. As an added measure, he coats the interior with Caswell (the Phenol Epoxy) prior to buttoning it all up. Not trying to promote anyone's business, but "Dave" is a great guy, owns 2 Commandos and I'm sure he'd be willing to chat with anyone interested in his tanks. You can reach him at neuxstone@aol.com
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cmessenk said:
Awesome news.
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wish they came with better looking gas caps, I would be tempted on buying one.
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I thought the vinyl ester resin was susceptible to alcohol attack and the phenolic resin was resistant. Why wouldn't you just make the whole thing with phenolic? The only reason I can see is cost. Think I'll ask him.
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The resin that can take on the job is 3000.00 for a fifty gallon barrel the minimum quantity available. So the 100.00 dollar a quart coating treatment is a little friendlier. Not so hard to figure out. But getting the coating in the tank thin enough to live on a running bike is much harder to figure out. Sloshing in something always leaves these thick spots that can crack when the bike starts to be used. No one likes to pay for a job well done the Wall Mart syndrome lives on. Good food not cheap, Cheap food not good.
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I contacted Dave. He said using the phenol epoxy resin for laminating the glass was no worky. The FPR guy here at work said according to his application chart Derakane 470 vinyl ester resin should work for gasohol. It's got a Novolac backbone and is quite a bit less expensive than the epoxy. Whatever, I'm sure not going to manufacture gas tanks but it looks like there's a way around the coating issue if somebody wanted to pursue it.
Update on my aluminum tank:
I ordered an aluminum tank from Waldridge Motors of Ontario, Canada 2/19/2010, to be shipped to my home in Port St. John, FL. I've yet to receive it. According to the USPS tracking number it arrived in New Jersey 2/27/2010. I contacted a USPS 800#, and was told any inquiry would have to emanate from the shipper. Called Waldridge. Spoke to a very pleasant gal who said she'd look into it. Within ten minutes she called back. I gave her more information and she said she would contact New Jersey. Once again, she called back within ten minutes, informing me Waldridge would initiate an inquiry. She assured me the shipment is insured and Waldridge would replace it, even before receiving any insurance payment, if the inquiry proves fruitless. I'd rate Waldridge service quite high. Can't say the same for the lame dick US postal service.
I ordered an aluminum tank from Waldridge Motors of Ontario, Canada 2/19/2010, to be shipped to my home in Port St. John, FL. I've yet to receive it. According to the USPS tracking number it arrived in New Jersey 2/27/2010. I contacted a USPS 800#, and was told any inquiry would have to emanate from the shipper. Called Waldridge. Spoke to a very pleasant gal who said she'd look into it. Within ten minutes she called back. I gave her more information and she said she would contact New Jersey. Once again, she called back within ten minutes, informing me Waldridge would initiate an inquiry. She assured me the shipment is insured and Waldridge would replace it, even before receiving any insurance payment, if the inquiry proves fruitless. I'd rate Waldridge service quite high. Can't say the same for the lame dick US postal service.
DogT
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OH, MAN, if it went through NJ, the criminals have it. I've been to that mail processing center in Newark, and it is like nothing you can believe. A place to it's self in a swamp. It's so huge one could loose an Abrams in there.
At least Mike stands by his stuff, you will get it.
Dave
69S
At least Mike stands by his stuff, you will get it.
Dave
69S
Surprise, surprise. Tank came today. As Mike said, it is slightly wavy. Nothing that a skip coat won't take care of. I would say this tank is not suitable for polishing.
Pictures to follow. I've posted many pics on this board, but I'm having trouble resizing the suckers tonight.
Pictures to follow. I've posted many pics on this board, but I'm having trouble resizing the suckers tonight.
Actually, for the price, I don't think it's too bad. I'll clean up the welds on the tabs. Mike said it's made in Canada. Keep in mind, it's not to be a polished tank. It's to be painted. My thinking was it's not steel, so it won't rust. I know it may corrode somewhat. Lot's of boats with aluminum tanks run ethanol with no problems. And it's not made by some terrorist's cousin in Pakistan. I'll be damned if I'll buy one of those. I'd use a milk jug for a tank before I'd put a Pakistani tank on my bike.
I was thinking of changing to one of these caps if there's enough flat surface.
I was thinking of changing to one of these caps if there's enough flat surface.
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