Carbon Footprint

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D-Rider · #1 Post by **D-Rider** » Thu May 19, 2016 10:06 pm

For those that haven't been involved in the project to defeat ethanol-swelling of fuel tanks by having some carbon tanks made, well the first batch have been produced and we are gradually fitting them to our bikes.

I put mine on at the weekend - here are a few quick pics - not brilliant photos but will let you see what we've got.

Well done Rich for making the things and overcoming a number of problems along the way.

.... you ask why this thread is titled "Carbon Footprint" .... well it has a bit to do with Rich's pictures on Facebook of him standing on one of the tanks to demonstrate its strength.

MartDude · #2 Post by **MartDude** » Fri May 20, 2016 11:52 am

HisNibbs · #3 Post by **HisNibbs** » Fri May 20, 2016 6:14 pm

More bling than a bling thing, but very nice all the same.

Firestarter · #4 Post by **Firestarter** » Fri May 20, 2016 6:47 pm

Where did you get the stickers Andy? I presume they are just stickers, not decals under a laquer coat? Might be interested in some red ones for mine, although the tank cover will be over it most of the time...

fatboy · #5 Post by **fatboy** » Fri May 20, 2016 7:03 pm

That looks very very nice

D-Rider · #6 Post by **D-Rider** » Fri May 20, 2016 7:17 pm

The Lions Head tank pad was one of Mactat2 's that he sold on here a while back. I had one on my old tank too but that was before I knew who made them.
The Aprilia graphics - I tried for months to get hold of Mactat to make me some but could never get hold of him. I went to this lot in the end:
http://www.awesomegraphics.co.uk/

blinkey501 · #7 Post by **blinkey501** » Fri May 20, 2016 8:35 pm

D-Rider wrote:The Lions Head tank pad was one of Mactat2 's that he sold on here a while back. I had one on my old tank too but that was before I knew who made them.
The Aprilia graphics - I tried for months to get hold of Mactat to make me some but could never get hold of him. I went to this lot in the end:
http://www.awesomegraphics.co.uk/

He did and they were very nice,

I think I still have a silver one in the garage.

The carbon tank looks awesome btw.

#8 Post by **mangocrazy** » Sat May 21, 2016 4:55 pm

Very nice, Andy. Are you happy with the breather arrangement and the tank fit? I seem to remember there was some debate over both.

But bare carbon with an Aprilia lions head does look very tasty...

squadron Nero · #9 Post by **squadron Nero** » Sun May 22, 2016 10:55 am

Looks f'kin fantastic

D-Rider · #10 Post by **D-Rider** » Sun May 22, 2016 5:37 pm

mangocrazy wrote:Very nice, Andy. Are you happy with the breather arrangement and the tank fit? I seem to remember there was some debate over both.

But bare carbon with an Aprilia lions head does look very tasty...

Seems to breathe OK ... though there's quite a smell of petrol in the garage now so maybe it's breathing too well!
I don't think it's coming from elsewhere - I've not noticed any leaks from the fuel system.

I'm perhaps more aware of the lack of water drain - though from what Rich says it's probably not a real issue

Falco Frank · #11 Post by **Falco Frank** » Mon May 23, 2016 9:30 am

STUNNING! Suits your colour scheme of bike very well.

I bought the flawed tank that Rich sold separately and am wondering about changing the tank cap for a QR version - how did you manage to vent your cap please?

I did have a worrying thought the other day in that the base plate holding the pump assembly also appears to be made of plastic, so ultimately might well suffer the same effects of Ethanol expansion as the tank!!??!!

Hopefully, it would not distort the base seal.

Did your installation go smoothly???

Cheers - Frank

randomsquid · #12 Post by **randomsquid** » Mon May 23, 2016 5:07 pm

Looks good, are you going to go for more carbon bits?

D-Rider · #13 Post by **D-Rider** » Mon May 23, 2016 10:09 pm

Hi Frank
Interesting about your base plate for the fuel pump. I have 2 pumps - the one from my Falco that I bought new in 2005 (made in 2004) and one from an early Crow Black Falco. Both have metal bases.

As for venting the cap, Rich sorted it by grinding down the raised plastic bit on the insert that the airway in the cap seals to (I think this needs a pic).

#14 Post by **mangocrazy** » Tue May 24, 2016 9:56 pm

D-Rider wrote:As for venting the cap, Rich sorted it by grinding down the raised plastic bit on the insert that the airway in the cap seals to (I think this needs a pic).

I think it does, Andy...

D-Rider · #15 Post by **D-Rider** » Wed May 25, 2016 6:49 am

Hmmm .... don't think the fuel smell was related to the breather ..... this morning I opened the garage and noticed a bit of a pool of fuel below the bike (well as much of a pool as you get with a liquid that quickly evaporates).
Shut the garage and took the car to work - will have to investigate tonight.

Not yet sure where it's coming from - having replaced all the fuel hoses as well as the tank - so I'm certainly not pointing the finger at the tank as Rich leak tested before he delivered it.
When I find it, I'll let you know.