Welsh rodent eats 1200GSA

[simon2]

Here’s one you don’t here every day. After years of saving brought a new 1200GSA last month and last week went camping in the welsh mountains. Found a great spot near some woods and had a great time. The next morning went to load the bike up and couldn’t belief what I saw. Some fuc*ing rodent had bitten a 25mm long and about 2 mm deep hole in it fuel tank. Luckily it did not go all the way though but its in the most visible spot on the curve of the tank above your knee. The teeth marks are small about the size of a rat or squirrel. I can tell you if there was a swear box there I would have had to put all of next years wages in it. It was one of them you don’t Know whether to laugh or cry moments as you take the risk of it being vandalised in the city but eaten buy a rodent that’s taking the piss.
Anyway only cosmetic tried putting a sticker over it but because of the texture of the tank don’t think it will stop on long. So when you stop laughing, and I know am going to get humorous replies { good it mite cheer me up } if anyone knows if its possible to repair or any good quality stickers that mite hide it as a new tank fitted is £700 or if I go though my insurance £350 excess. And you know I wont be covered for squirrel damage.

 

[Trippy]

Should have bought a proper metal bike

 

[EggChaser]

Hmm don't have a GSA so can't check this comment - but is the section of plastic above/near your kneee actually part of the tank or just a plastic cover piece bolted over the tank (like my GS) - if the latter it won't cost you that much to replace.

 

[1Rider]

Pic

What about a picture

 

[hibee]

Did notice a squirrel on the KTM forum recently mate.................?





David

 

[simon2]

Hmm don't have a GSA so can't check this comment - but is the section of plastic above/near your kneee actually part of the tank or just a plastic cover piece bolted over the tank (like my GS) - if the latter it won't cost you that much to replace.

the bite marks are definitely on the tank. The plastic cover is above the bite marks.

 

[Dahoum]

why cover it up?

in some circles it'd be a badge of adventuring honour :cool

 

[simon2]

What about a picture

Not subscribed yet so don’t think I can send pictures. And no stickers left if I take that one off. But when it comes off will subscribe and send some in

 

[simon2]

why cover it up?

in some circles it'd be a badge of adventuring honour :cool

Did enter my mind. I can always say it was a African beast instead of a welsh squirrel

 

[swissrob]

i bet it was pine martin - we have loads of them here and they cause huge amounts of damage to cars/bikes on a daily basis - we even have insurance against it.

 

[alimey4u2]

The little critter was just gathering winter fuel.....Price of nuts down, petrol gnawing at his wallet

 

[cookie]

The little critter was just gathering winter fuel.....Price of nuts down, petrol gnawing at his wallet

i reckon he was just getting tanked up.

 

[deaninkl]

Nice one Martin,

of a similar ilk, I have cats around my place that "mark" their teritory on my GS, mostly the swingarm and exhaust, the swingarm is now permanantly discoloured due to the strength of the spray.... but worse is the god awful smell about 3 minutes after starting it up, normally by the time I get to the first juction after leaving home.... people actually wind up there windows in cars and probably thinks its me...

can't st traps cos one of the cats is my daughters....

 

[SteveBC]

Simon,
Go to your local car body repair shop and they should be able to recommend somebody who can do plastic welding and repairs, if you are lucky they may even have the equipment themselves. It's amazing what they can do. They should be able to fill in the missing material and even give it the same kind of textured finish. Most of the technology uses hot air torches or a hot 'iron' so no worries with the fuel inside. A good operater will make an almost invisible repair and it should not cost much either.