Fibreglass or bust

Who here, has "SUCCESSFULLY" used a lined fibreglass tank on there norton.

And for how long.

Let's keep the thread to the success stories, as we are all aware of the unsuccessful stories, and misfortunes with fibreglass.

Let's see how the successful individuals, if any, have been doing it.

If this thread just sinks to the bottom unanswered, then we all have our answer.

Specify your method, process and products.

staticmoves said:

Who here, has "SUCCESSFULLY" used a lined fibreglass tank on there norton.

And for how long.

Let's keep the thread to the success stories, as we are all aware of the unsuccessful stories, and misfortunes with fibreglass.

Let's see how the successful individuals, if any, have been doing it.

If this thread just sinks to the bottom unanswered, then we all have our answer.

Specify your method, process and products.

Click to expand...

I think the question should be how long. Jim

Hi
I bought a fibreglass fastback tank from Burtons a couple of years. It was supposed to be ethanol resistant. I didn't use ethanol fuel but after a couple of months the inside of the tank got a little tacky. I think the problem is not just ethanol but also the other additives in the fuel. It may have been tested the UK but maybe Australian fuel has other additives. I ended up lining the tank with Caswells and it seems to be fine. It's essential to make sure the inside is clean and dry and even more so with an older tank. Follow the directions and use more than recommended as the fastback tank has a larger surface area. Also essential to ensure all of the surface is covered. Use a couple of bolts in the threaded petrol outlet (not cork or wood dowels).

I've had no problems since but long term a steel tank is the way to go. I've been following the steel fastback tanks on ebay but they don't look all that flash and I'm guessing they'll need a fair bit of work to get them up to scratch. Probably unlikely someone will manufacture a decent steel tank like the Emgo Roadster tank.

Strange that as there must be a lot of fastbacks and they've all got fibreglass tanks so you'd think it'd be a guaranteed market. There are fewer fastbacks than other types but they'll all need new tanks.

The man said: should not have any responses

Let's keep the thread to the success stories, as we are all aware of the unsuccessful stories, and misfortunes with fibreglass.

Let's see how the successful individuals, if any, have been doing it.

My buddy Westley has lasted tested success in his '71 HiRider tank, used Peel's excess Caswell's Novalac clear coat in very thick layer over 1/8" after a bit of acetone cleaning etching and heated drying. He can't pick and choose type of gas as tank so small must top off often. Couple 3 yr after this I had its drum brake grab on sandy road edge at 30 mph and toss us into a big oak tree with me between saving outside tank finish but ramming head steady into tunnel to leak but a bit of JBW has been fine for 6 more years in and out of state trips with fully boozed gasoline totally ignored and left in for winter storage. Ms Peel IS tank road for a year then held left over ethanol a few years till I dumped it to paint. Peel tank also survived a bar bending hit to tanks front so hard it exploded the gel coat an inch around and splintered fiber mat so fray our 1/4" to grind back before JBW refinish. Looked inside to see cloudy fracture exploded into the thick Novalac base but not reaching its surface. so impact would of leaked and contaminated the area w/o the tough added protection, so didn't need to re-coat inside. If in doubt of yourself, my testimony or Novalac kits then just throw money at a new tank and send me old one to put my dead ashes in.

comnoz said:

staticmoves said:

Who here, has "SUCCESSFULLY" used a lined fibreglass tank on there norton.

And for how long.

Let's keep the thread to the success stories, as we are all aware of the unsuccessful stories, and misfortunes with fibreglass.

Let's see how the successful individuals, if any, have been doing it.

If this thread just sinks to the bottom unanswered, then we all have our answer.

Specify your method, process and products.

Click to expand...

I think the question should be how long. Jim

Click to expand...

Hey Jim. How long is second sentence. :mrgreen:

In theory It shouldn't matter what the tank is made of if you line it with Caswell epoxy.
I've used Caswell in my Allow tank for several years and it's stayed rock hard with 10% ethanol.
If I had a nice fiberglass Interstate tank, I wouldn't hesitate to spend the 50 bucks and line it with Caswell, assuming it hasn't been lined previously with an inferior product. I be sure to prep the tank as carefully as I could and I'd make sure I had every square centimeter covered with a thick layer of epoxy.

staticmoves said:

Who here, has "SUCCESSFULLY" used a lined fibreglass tank on there norton.

And for how long.

Let's keep the thread to the success stories, as we are all aware of the unsuccessful stories, and misfortunes with fibreglass.

Let's see how the successful individuals, if any, have been doing it.

If this thread just sinks to the bottom unanswered, then we all have our answer.

Specify your method, process and products.

Click to expand...

I used one most of last year. Drained it EVERY time when I got home. I never leave fuel in it. Not a real fan and I am looking for a steel replacement. Alll the fuel here is 10% ethanol.
So far so good but I want to move on. Is it causing damage? I hope not.
With any luck I will change over this summer. Not planning on a long term.

8 years. My interstate tank started to leak after I used the 5 county gas in southeast Wisconsin for awhile.
This tank and my sons roadster tank were both sealed with the same kit and have been leak free since.
I try to run the no ethanol as it has been available in town for about three years now, but don't hesitate to run the 5 county gas if I need to
( I think the 5 county gas has changed since it was first implemented, it doesn't smell the same).
Frank Coleman

Lined my tank in 1985 with caswell ? I think ... it was a while ago ... just old fashioned gas available here ... finally took the plunge and paid to have it painted by a pro three years ago ... so the math, at least the old type works out to 29 years and counting( had to use calculator ) this is the truth no BS ... guess I'm just lucky ... always run high test ... Multistrada tanks don't seem to swell here either
Craig

staticmoves said:

comnoz said:

staticmoves said:

Who here, has "SUCCESSFULLY" used a lined fibreglass tank on there norton.

And for how long.

Let's keep the thread to the success stories, as we are all aware of the unsuccessful stories, and misfortunes with fibreglass.

Let's see how the successful individuals, if any, have been doing it.

If this thread just sinks to the bottom unanswered, then we all have our answer.

Specify your method, process and products.

Click to expand...

I think the question should be how long. Jim

Click to expand...

Hey Jim. How long is second sentence. :mrgreen:

Click to expand...

Ok, Last two experiences.

Stock roadster tank.- Cleaned with acetone and sheet rock screws on a paint shaker. Then dryed one week with heat from a electric space heater plumbed into a duct and ran into the top of the tank.
Coated with Caswell -two coats. Cured for a week with heat and then another month or so while it was being prepped for paint.
Looked great for about a year and then I started getting large slightly wet bubbles under the paint. Never obviously leaked. It is hanging in the rafters.

Aftermarket Cafe tank-
Cut out bottom of tank and ground all inside surfaces with 36 grit until the glass looked clean and unstained. Layed in several new layers of glass using "ethanol resistant resin" and built a shelf around the lower edge to re-attach the bottom. After the bottom was re-installed I coated the inside with several layers of Novalac rosin sourced from a large tank company. When I was done the tank looked really good but weighed about twice what a steel tank would weigh. The paint lasted about 3 years before it started getting bumpy looking. It never obviously leaked. It's been hanging in the rafters about 12 years now. I may have to pull it out and give it a new finish one of these days. It should be pretty well cured out. Jim

I know many people here who have been running fibreglass for many years with no apparent issues.
Just nice to hear the success stories.

Keep them coming.

Either success stories, or what people do wrong with these tanks, keeping them from having success running the fibreglass.

My BSA's glass tank was coated when I got it with what I think is Caswells. It's had this low energy BS ethanol crapp in it 24/7 for at least 10 years and still seems fine. Got my fingers crossed. I did just use Caswells on my steel roadster tank because it was rusty & I couldn't seem to stop it. That said I have a Production Racer (Dunstall) tank I would live to use but I just can't see trusting it. Wish I could get a steel one cuz I sort of don't trust the alloy remakes either.

gtsun said:

My BSA's glass tank was coated when I got it with what I think is Caswells. It's had this low energy BS ethanol crapp in it 24/7 for at least 10 years and still seems fine. Got my fingers crossed. I did just use Caswells on my steel roadster tank because it was rusty & I couldn't seem to stop it. That said I have a Production Racer (Dunstall) tank I would live to use but I just can't see trusting it. Wish I could get a steel one cuz I sort of don't trust the alloy remakes either.

Click to expand...

Wow, ten years is a good run on original glass.

my second project I am working on is going to be a fast back, and the tank I have for now is fibre glass.
I coated it with caswell black magic about a month ago and are going to let it sit all winter so it should get a four month cure time.

One of the guys in NENO told me about an accident he had on his Commando. The fiberglass tank broke during the accident a sprayed him with gasoline. He won't use fiberglass tanks anymore, neither do I.

Double coat of Caswells. Been OK for a year now. You must follow the prep instructions perfectly.