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So, the main interest for me is getting a tank that isn't swelling, as I've already managed to partially strip the thread in the frame trying to get the tank back down. As much as CF is a bit of bling, I don't think a completely black tank will go with my red/black colour scheme. Therefore, I would be considering painting the tank to match the current paint scheme (albeit leaving the "black" bits as CF, rather than colour matching). Now, I may not bother at all as I mostly use a Baglux tank cover & bag, however what are the options for painting? Is it just a matter of taking it to a decent sprayer, or is there anything specialist with CF?

Firestarter wrote:So, the main interest for me is getting a tank that isn't swelling, as I've already managed to partially strip the thread in the frame trying to get the tank back down. As much as CF is a bit of bling, I don't think a completely black tank will go with my red/black colour scheme. Therefore, I would be considering painting the tank to match the current paint scheme (albeit leaving the "black" bits as CF, rather than colour matching). Now, I may not bother at all as I mostly use a Baglux tank cover & bag, however what are the options for painting? Is it just a matter of taking it to a decent sprayer, or is there anything specialist with CF?

Yes that's a good point. I think that what would happen here is that Richard would supply it to you unlacquered so that you could take it to the paint shop of your choice.

On a related matter, I was wondering whether we would want the "Aprilia" graphic on the tank - and if so the need to get those made up and the question of whether they get applied under the lacquer or on top.
TBH I'm not sure what my own thoughts are on this.

Anyway, I think it's time to try to get Richard in on the discussions to help guide us with these things .... I'll invite him to join us.

Hi guys.... OK if you want to paint the tank it is supplied unlacquered but will be ready for paint too. I keep the mould semi gloss so it can be used raw or be lacquered/painted. I personally prefer matt carbon but most dont so I have gone for the middle ground. I can also put you in touch with a company who can do a limited range of tinted lacquers to possibly keep the colour but still show some of the weave underneath..

morepower wrote:Hi guys.... OK if you want to paint the tank it is supplied unlacquered but will be ready for paint too. I keep the mould semi gloss so it can be used raw or be lacquered/painted. I personally prefer matt carbon but most dont so I have gone for the middle ground. I can also put you in touch with a company who can do a limited range of tinted lacquers to possibly keep the colour but still show some of the weave underneath..

Hi Richard - welcome to Ridersite and welcome to this select sub-forum


Chaps, "morepower" is Richard - the chap who makes the carbon tanks (and other carbon goodies).

I'm sure that having him on here will help move things along nicely.

I've just looked (and re-looked and re-re-looked) at the photo of the RS250 tank(*).

That is utterly gorgeous to me. I'd be very, very happy to have the Falco tank looking like that. No stickers, no labels, just pure, shiny CF goodness.

(*) Here: https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.php?p=128202

Viking wrote:I've just looked (and re-looked and re-re-looked) at the photo of the RS250 tank(*).

That is utterly gorgeous to me. I'd be very, very happy to have the Falco tank looking like that. No stickers, no labels, just pure, shiny CF goodness.

(*) Here: https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.php?p=128202

Me too, I'll paint the rest of the bike to match :)

Cheers guys. I do try and put the extra effort to get the weave looking nice and pay attention to the direction it flows (sorry being arty here) and make it aesthetically pleasing. It is a handmade part so there can be fine strands or the odd frayed end of carbon at the joins which you can see in the resin or other little imperfections. The one in the photos is no different. I see little things I would rather not be there but it is not just slapping down carbon into a mould to cover the surface as quickly as possible and then cut off the excess and not worry about the pattern of the weave. My original parts were always meant to be lightweight and strong first and foremost then if I could make them look nice that was secondary. But I like to put in the extra effort to try and make it look nice even if it is a race bike part... Painting them is not going to make any difference to me as I think having it painted and picking out details is a really cool thing to do..

kudos mate. Since this thing is going to be right in front of us any little imperfection will appear like a weeping sore that draws the eye.

I applaud your perfectionism.

Falcopops wrote:kudos mate. Since this thing is going to be right in front of us any little imperfection will appear like a weeping sore that draws the eye.

I applaud your perfectionism.

You really don't need any more distractions and we must come up with a solution to stop you staring at your tank all the time ..... not every corner has a handy run-off dirt track .....

spiderwheels wrote:

Viking wrote:I've just looked (and re-looked and re-re-looked) at the photo of the RS250 tank(*).

That is utterly gorgeous to me. I'd be very, very happy to have the Falco tank looking like that. No stickers, no labels, just pure, shiny CF goodness.

(*) Here: https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.php?p=128202

Me too, I'll paint the rest of the bike to match :)

I'm thinking of getting the rest of the plastics hydro-dipped with a CF pattern. Bare CF won't go with the Red/Black paint scheme. (*sigh* Vanity, oh vanity, wherefore art thou, vanity...)

Vinyl wrapping (partial or full) is also an option don't forget. If you need to move the tank on for whatever reason in the future, you can peel the wrap off and sell it on as a bare carbon tank.

Nooj wrote:Vinyl wrapping (partial or full) is also an option don't forget. If you need to move the tank on for whatever reason in the future, you can peel the wrap off and sell it on as a bare carbon tank.

Good idea mate. Any suggestions on where we could get it done?