Personally (touching wood) I've never had this problem and hopefully never will!

Moderators: Aladinsaneuk, MartDude, D-Rider, Moderators
...... and some of us have run out of options for further adjustment .......DavShill wrote:You'll notice it first when you lift the tank and realise there's little (if any) clearance between the top yoke and the brackets that guide the bolts securing the front of the tank. Some have had to file/dremmel some additional clearance.
The tanks on these do swell. I find it easier to remove all the rear mounting screws and do up the front firstbrowny wrote:Just lifted the tank on the falco to sort air filter ..propped up for a while when I came to put back down would not fit ended up levering back into position but took some effort...not impressed!!!
Steel tanks have always rotted - all fuel comes with some degree of water contamination plus part full tanks suffer from condensation. If you have any interest in classic cars or bikes you'll know that happens and that suppliers flog internal sealants for tanks. Many diesel engines have water traps in the fuel line .D-Rider wrote:..... and most classic vehicles - the water separation properties lead to steel tanks rotting, it kills hoses, seals and gaskets in the fuel system ....... it's hardly something for just a few bikes.lazarus wrote:I would have thought it an obligation on the bike manufacturer to provide a tank that will safely hold any fuel the bike might be expected to use. Why should there be special fuel provisions for just Aprilia, Ducati and a few Triumphs?
You could have used that argument when unleaded first came on the scene. Or when low sulphur diesel caused so many problems. Things change and the obligation is on the manufacturer of the vehicle to adapt quickly to that change. From what I read Triumph did so but not the Italian bike makers.D-Rider wrote:The introduction of this questionable additive to fuels should not have been permitted if it were likely to cause damage to so many vehicles on the road.
Deliberately missing the point, I think. This isn't a small case of water contamination - the additive (ethanol) itself is hygroscopic (attracts water) and is also susceptible to phase separation; i.e. the ethanol and petrol can separate after a comparatively short period. This can lead to different strata of ethanol, water and petrol in the fuel tank. The ethanol is particularly aggressive; prior to mixing with petrol it has to be transported in stainless steel tanks. The problems it causes is of another order of magnitude compared to 'a degree of water contamination'. Perhaps you should do some further reading before pouring scorn on legitimate concerns.lazarus wrote:Steel tanks have always rotted - all fuel comes with some degree of water contamination plus part full tanks suffer from condensation. If you have any interest in classic cars or bikes you'll know that happens and that suppliers flog internal sealants for tanks. Many diesel engines have water traps in the fuel line .D-Rider wrote:..... and most classic vehicles - the water separation properties lead to steel tanks rotting, it kills hoses, seals and gaskets in the fuel system ....... it's hardly something for just a few bikes.lazarus wrote:I would have thought it an obligation on the bike manufacturer to provide a tank that will safely hold any fuel the bike might be expected to use. Why should there be special fuel provisions for just Aprilia, Ducati and a few Triumphs?
lazarus wrote:You could have used that argument when unleaded first came on the scene. Or when low sulphur diesel caused so many problems. Things change and the obligation is on the manufacturer of the vehicle to adapt quickly to that change. From what I read Triumph did so but not the Italian bike makers.D-Rider wrote:The introduction of this questionable additive to fuels should not have been permitted if it were likely to cause damage to so many vehicles on the road.
One thing is for sure - you arent going to get any joy or a new tank out of the UK govt and the EU. Surely Aprilia have suitable tanks by now.
I would'nt think so andy.. The panels that have been painted white had a second hand tank which had not had any petrol in for 12 months.D-Rider wrote:Yes I've been avoiding supermarket fuels and paying for premium 99 octane stuff for a while now. Not lifted the tank since but hoping it's shrunk back a bit.
There are significant differences.lazarus wrote:You could have used that argument when unleaded first came on the scene.D-Rider wrote:The introduction of this questionable additive to fuels should not have been permitted if it were likely to cause damage to so many vehicles on the road.
I don't recall asking them to.lazarus wrote:
One thing is for sure - you arent going to get any joy or a new tank out of the UK govt and the EU.