Ethanol killed my tank

Stu Bodycote · Apr 27, 2024

Stephen_Spencer said:
Did Dream Machine put a clear coat over the aluminium surface at all Stu, or just the painted sections?

Just the painted, so I can keep polishing the aluminium parts, which I do with a rotary polisher. Clear lacquer on polished surfaces never seemed to work.

Welshrugby · May 1, 2024

It must be very upsetting to see your tank blister like this. I check my 2018 model and no such signs thankfully. I only use shell or esso E5 premium fuel but it does sit in there for many months between rides sometimes.

MAK · May 1, 2024

Welshrugby said:
It must be very upsetting to see your tank blister like this. I check my 2018 model and no such signs thankfully. I only use shell or esso E5 premium fuel but it does sit in there for many months between rides sometimes.

Have been told that Accerbis make the tanks for CCM and they have no problems.
Can’t verify this!

MAK · May 1, 2024

MAK said:
Have been told that Accerbis make the tanks for CCM and they have no problems.
Can’t verify this!

Bevelheadmhr · May 26, 2024

Anyone know if the tank issue still a problem with the new TVS bikes?

Stephen_Spencer · Nov 22, 2024

Bevelheadmhr said:
Anyone know if the tank issue still a problem with the new TVS bikes?

Further info from Norton on the ethanol/tank issue (credit Shaun FB).

MAK · Nov 23, 2024

Stephen_Spencer said:
Further info from Norton on the ethanol/tank issue (credit Shaun FB).

View attachment 117385

But what happens when you take your beloved 961 to the continent touring like I have several times. Some garages sell E85.
You will be able to watch your tank bi-degrade in front of you very eyes.

Stephen_Spencer · Nov 23, 2024

MAK said:
But what happens when you take your beloved 961 to the continent touring like I have several times. Some garages sell E85.
You will be able to watch your tank bi-degrade in front of you very eyes.

Yep, if I owned a Birmingham Commando I’d want a little further assurance about the issue. Especially as any adverse outcome might come beyond the two year warranty period.

comet · Nov 23, 2024

I thought the issue was more to do with the fact that ethanol is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the air) and it's the water that can cause issues with some plastics if left for a period. Presumably this is why Norton are saying that the tank should be full when stored to ensure no condensation in the tank. I drain the tank for storage and and haven't had a problem in the 11 years of ownership.

MAK · Nov 23, 2024

comet said:
I thought the issue was more to do with the fact that ethanol is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the air) and it's the water that can cause issues with some plastics if left for a period. Presumably this is why Norton are saying that the tank should be full when stored to ensure no condensation in the tank. I drain the tank for storage and and haven't had a problem in the 11 years of ownership.

Is ethanol not a solvent? You might have guessed I’m not a chemist.

Wardude · Nov 24, 2024

I contacted Norton and they said the tanks are now ok for E5 and E10. I still have my doubts and I’ll use Stabil Marine grade stabiliser which can only help. See my answers from Norton posted above

kev · Nov 25, 2024

I run all my bikes on E5/premium so it's never been an issue. If I have to run the cheap stuff it's on a long run and it'll be flushed through in an hour or so.

If anyone needs an OEM tank, I have mine as I've moved over to a Tab tank

BLIGHTYBRIT/SF · Dec 1, 2024

Just a nudge to those that don’t know & reminder to those that do , in the UK we have Esso supreme +99, which is closest we get to ethanol free , it’s classed E5 ,as that’s the max it will contain , but most of country it is free of ethanol, however I thinks that’s changing again soon , so I’m filling up as winter miles will be less, my next go to fuel is Shell V power

Ethanol killed my tank

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