Steve G. Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 It appears I may have inadvertantly put some ethanol laced fuel in my fuel tank,,,,,it seems to be showing slight 'characteristics' of this well documented problem. When putting the headstock at full lock both ways, the tank is within 1/8" of touching the fork tubes. Clearly the front of the tank, the two "winglets" which protrude forward, are spreading apart allowing themselves to be contacted. At this point, I'm assuming a new fuel tank for a 1999-2001 V11 to be unobtainium, so I'm kind of pissed off at the whole thing,,,,Acerbis for making fuel tanks out of plastic that cannot handle a basic additive to currently available gasolines,,,and to Al Gore and the U.S.A. government for feeding the bullshite to the world that ethanol is going to save trees, or something else wild and virgin. If I drain the tank [which I'm currently doing] and let it sit for a couple months with a rubber strap carefully wrapped around the front to close it up a bit, what may I assume might happen? Anybody else who have had this problem sind a solution? Cheers, Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponti_33609 Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 It appears I may have inadvertantly put some ethanol laced fuel in my fuel tank,,,,,it seems to be showing slight 'characteristics' of this well documented problem. When putting the headstock at full lock both ways, the tank is within 1/8" of touching the fork tubes. Clearly the front of the tank, the two "winglets" which protrude forward, are spreading apart allowing themselves to be contacted. At this point, I'm assuming a new fuel tank for a 1999-2001 V11 to be unobtainium, so I'm kind of pissed off at the whole thing,,,,Acerbis for making fuel tanks out of plastic that cannot handle a basic additive to currently available gasolines,,,and to Al Gore and the U.S.A. government for feeding the bullshite to the world that ethanol is going to save trees, or something else wild and virgin. If I drain the tank [which I'm currently doing] and let it sit for a couple months with a rubber strap carefully wrapped around the front to close it up a bit, what may I assume might happen? Anybody else who have had this problem sind a solution? Cheers, Steve Mine has done the same. Got challenging getting it on and off. I have read that leaving it drained and off will not correct the situation. This was my solution..................... Built by John Williams - The Tank Shop Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormsedge Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Rut ro...gonna take a hard look at mine. How long did it take to get the aluminum tank shaped? k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponti_33609 Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Hi - It took about 12 weeks to fabricate and ship to me. His website says 20 weeks but he was faster. I was in no rush so not a big deal to me. My tank is not too bad yet but as it gets even older I thought I should get a tank while I had the means and they were available. Best of luck, Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guzzimeister Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Hi - It took about 12 weeks to fabricate and ship to me. His website says 20 weeks but he was faster. I was in no rush so not a big deal to me. My tank is not too bad yet but as it gets even older I thought I should get a tank while I had the means and they were available. Best of luck, Bob Hi Bob I'm in the UK but on the basis that if John has done one, then the next one might be easier....Could you give me please a contact email or number? How much did that beauty cost? Cheers Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponti_33609 Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Hi Bob I'm in the UK but on the basis that if John has done one, then the next one might be easier....Could you give me please a contact email or number? How much did that beauty cost? Cheers Jon Hi Jon, John William's phone number is on his website The Tank Shop. He does not communicate via e-mail and prefers phone calls. The price I paid was also posted on his site and when I bought it was 450 British Pouinds. Based on the costs of replacing with a "new" plastic one, even if you could get one, this was a bargain IMHO. He told me he had done one previously and why he said he was quicker than his stated 20 weeks. I was tempted to change the shape/style but where I was keeping the stck tail (at least for now) I thought a replica would be the best option for me. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luhbo Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 What percentage of ethanol is currently added to your fuels? We actually have to deal with five, with no real problems, but soon the percentage will be 10%. Guzzi says all modells since 2000 were "fuel proof", but to be sure they are doing tests now. BTW, it's not AG I think. It's just plain lobby work, farmer lobby this time, going for subsidies as usual. hubert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponti_33609 Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 What percentage of ethanol is currently added to your fuels? We actually have to deal with five, with no real problems, but soon the percentage will be 10%. Guzzi says all modells since 2000 were "fuel proof", but to be sure they are doing tests now. BTW, it's not AG I think. It's just plain lobby work, farmer lobby this time, going for subsidies as usual. hubert We have 10% but I have read posts that suggest that there are regional gas additives in the states that might be more of a contributing factor than the ethanol itself. I forget where I read this though if here or over at wildguzzi. I know Todd at MPH has written about Ducati's having this issue as well. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luhbo Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 THX. we'll see what'll happen. Especially how much the consumption will go up. The thing is, over here un'greened' fuel is still available. It costs more, but if the mileage is better this could become a bargain even. hubert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emry Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 The field rep's that work in my company here in the US have been doing fuel sampling in their territories over the past 3 years. 8%~22% at the pump with a national average of 9%. High volume stations were at or near the 10% limit while the higher percents were seen at smaller low volume rural stations. In theory the tank should slowly regain its shape when the ethanol is removed. Unforunatley it will do so at the same rate as it was absorbed. The whole "what is happening" to the tank issue is a result of a combination of the ethanol and the additives, either used indiviudally does not affect our tanks. Evaporative emissions testing during the turn of the century by automotive groups discovered when common fuel additives and ethanol were used together that the radiant emissions of the fuel tank increased significantly. This lead to the use of chlorinated/fluorinated - rubber/plastics components. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gstallons Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Hi Bob I'm in the UK but on the basis that if John has done one, then the next one might be easier....Could you give me please a contact email or number? How much did that beauty cost? Cheers Jon Hi Jon, John William's phone number is on his website The Tank Shop. He does not communicate via e-mail and prefers phone calls. The price I paid was also posted on his site and when I bought it was 450 British Pouinds. Based on the costs of replacing with a "new" plastic one, even if you could get one, this was a bargain IMHO. He told me he had done one previously and why he said he was quicker than his stated 20 weeks. I was tempted to change the shape/style but where I was keeping the stck tail (at least for now) I thought a replica would be the best option for me. Bob The fuel tank is absolutely beautiful........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve G. Posted February 1, 2011 Author Share Posted February 1, 2011 It appears I may have inadvertantly put some ethanol laced fuel in my fuel tank,,,,,it seems to be showing slight 'characteristics' of this well documented problem. When putting the headstock at full lock both ways, the tank is within 1/8" of touching the fork tubes. Clearly the front of the tank, the two "winglets" which protrude forward, are spreading apart allowing themselves to be contacted. At this point, I'm assuming a new fuel tank for a 1999-2001 V11 to be unobtainium, so I'm kind of pissed off at the whole thing,,,,Acerbis for making fuel tanks out of plastic that cannot handle a basic additive to currently available gasolines,,,and to Al Gore and the U.S.A. government for feeding the bullshite to the world that ethanol is going to save trees, or something else wild and virgin. If I drain the tank [which I'm currently doing] and let it sit for a couple months with a rubber strap carefully wrapped around the front to close it up a bit, what may I assume might happen? Anybody else who have had this problem sind a solution? Cheers, Steve Mine has done the same. Got challenging getting it on and off. I have read that leaving it drained and off will not correct the situation. This was my solution..................... Built by John Williams - The Tank Shop Bob Very cool!! Tell me, are you planning on eventually painting the tank, or keeping it as polished aluminium? Can you see any issues with haveing it painted, or would it need proper block sanding to smooth the surface for a nice mar free paint coat? Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponti_33609 Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Hi, It would need a light scuff if you were to paint. If I went that route, I would leave the knee cutouts polished but will leave as is for a while. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeeve Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 Mine has done the same. Got challenging getting it on and off. I have read that leaving it drained and off will not correct the situation. This was my solution..................... Built by John Williams - The Tank Shop Gorgeous product! Does he do work in steel as well? Less concerned about wt. issues than the convenience of being able to use a magnetic tank bag as on any proper daily rider... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponti_33609 Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 I believe he only does Alu per his site Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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