BMW's Plastic Petrol Bomb?

[Rockape_GSr]

Hi all.

As a newbe to the world of all things GS (Just got myself a rather nice shiney 96 1100GS ) Just have a question about the fuel tank on my bike as its plastic. Having done a bit of digging around on the internet under stand that most of the plastic tanks where replaced by BMW (Not incluing my for resons only known to the bloke at the time) something to do with the paint work.

Just wanted to know if there any other issues mainly am i in any danger of turning in to a fireball.(Not going to stop me riding my new toy at the Mo

Also if a was to change the tank are all the fittings the same on both types of tank?

 

[ktmmark]

Some plastic tanks had paint blister's and some never did mine was 16 years old and no problems also the plastic tanks hold a bit mor fuel

 

[Wrigsby1]

Shouldn't wory about the safety. I have never heard of a prob and i have had 3 11GS's with plastic tanks. One sticker bubbled slightly which nearly ruined my pleasure but luckily after some councilling i got over it.

Later F650's had underseat plastic tanks as i remember and i bet the F800's are similar. RT's are the same under the bodywork.

 

[motobiker]

some of the tanks allowed the gasses to seep through.. and these were replaced by BMW. the vast majority never had a problem.

it'll be fine... and if it ever isn't.. second hand steel (and plastic) tanks are ten a penny. (ish)

 

[Vern]

Seeping gases! I'm sure they would have gone the easy way,through the breather rather than through the plastic

The plastic tanks were replaced if they were showing signs of delamination,or blistering.If yours has got a plastic tank,and it looks alright,the chances are it is

They hold more than the metal ones,and don't dent when you go a pisser,so keep hold of it.

Go ride

 

[Noddy]

Some plastic tanks had paint blister's and some never did mine was 16 years old and no problems also the plastic tanks hold a bit mor fuel

+1

If you ever have to get under the tank just smere a drop of grease onto the threads of the filter/pump cover fasteners.

Oh and welcome to the madhouse.

 

[Steptoe]

The plastic tanks rust like buggery.

 

[ahebron]

The plastic tanks rust like buggery.

Sorry Steptoe but you are wrong.



I believe thrusting is a well known cause of buggery


Adrian

 

[davegs]

tanks

Do you mind, what an insult, Steppers is always right (even when he aint) got to say this to save his feelings the point is he's HAPPY! so don't upset him.

 

[Rockape_GSr]

Nice one thanks guys. I'll keep my eyes peeled for rust.

 

[MattW]

My ('94) 1100 plastic tank has just developed a couple of paint blisters - these are cosmetic only and aren't due to seepage (I know this cos I popped one to see).

That said, I've just bought a brand new steel tank as it came up for sale on here at a decent price and is the right colour but I'm only going to change it for cosmetic reasons.

However, aside from the rust problem with plastic tanks, it's a bugger to get magnetic tank bags to stay on.

 

[motobiker]

I thought the problem was down to 'some' of the tanks being slightly gas permeable... comes from reading this brand of nonsense I guess:

"Originally the tank was plastic but this suffered problems with leaks, paint and stickers. This was replaced by a steel tank made by Behr who also manufacture the wheels. Very few bikes still have plastic tanks as most owners took advantage of the free upgrade."

leaks paint and stickers kinda says the tanks weren't entirely 100% fuel proof.

The real answer being they were just - duff: fine.

 

[MattW]

I thought the problem was down to 'some' of the tanks being slightly gas permeable... comes from reading this brand of nonsense I guess:



leaks paint and stickers kinda says the tanks weren't entirely 100% fuel proof.

The real answer being they were just - duff: fine.

I guess there probably were some leakers but these will have been changed long ago.

Paint - yes, blisters are a issue but it's taken 15 years for mine to blister and it's a minor cosmetic issue on an oldish bike that, while tidy for its age, isn't showroom Mine has blistered on the inner radius of the knee scallop on the right hand side. I think this happened after it had been parked in blazing sun one day - seems like the paint just unstuck...

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/SMK9bo2any5u-qiBe0Ba8g?authkey=Gv1sRgCOmnnu2r_ciBuAE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_SSn2CtCOKnU/SwF_BZ7Y_zI/AAAAAAAACZc/-Dh140iQTX4/s800/tank2.jpg" /></a>

Stickers - probably. Mine has no tank stickers - I don't know whether this is because they fell off a long time ago or that it never had any (did they fit stickers to the original 1100's?). I kinda like it with no big shouty stickers...

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lh/photo/h0MDsuMDXwbfGZ-sp3XGOA?authkey=Gv1sRgCM37p62B74b6fA&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_SSn2CtCOKnU/SmhxbWrYg5I/AAAAAAAACQg/N2jVA6yz0ZE/s800/IMG_4375.JPG" /></a>

Another thing is that apparently the tanks swell slightly with age and fuel absorption - certainly it's a sod to get the rear retaining bolt into mine when I have the tank off (the tank seems to be too 'long'). However, I've never known whether that was a manufacturing issue or due to the supposed 'swelling'

 

[Wrigsby1]

Rockape, don't worry about it unless your tank is ugly and you like cosmetics, or unless you like spending money uneccessarily! The longer you leave these threads the more paranoid you can get. Some folk like spending and some of us are tight bastards. I don't think there are any tank related burns issues due to plastic tanks on the Tight Bastards bikes.

PS You need a Wunderlich catalogue or two and some needless twaddle from NN's or Touratech to make the aftermarket ohlins work efficiently. Whhhaaattt.... Your on the orginal shocks.... whaddayamean, they're OK

If I bought Ohlins etc i would have to double the insurance value of me bike

 

[King Rat]

Of course the plastic tanks leak, catch fire and dribble stickers all down the sides.

What you REALLY need is my pristine steel tank in gunmetal grey....it is a minter (cos it was changed for a plastic one from TT with a 41 litres hole inside!)

Plastic tanks? PAH - you need a proper steel one mate. I happen to know where there is one just now........ You need the standard exhaust too - they run much better with the standard exhaust to go with the standard, steel petrol tank, original cat and silencer - it is how they were designed you know.