bird Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 Anyone fitted one of those after market one piece fibreglass tank covers come seat for TY Monos? Curious about the quality, fit, durability etc. Any feedback appreciated. I have a Pinky with ugly stained plastic tank, hence the idea of improving the look as the tank cannot be cleaned up (so I'm told). Thanks guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t-shock 250 Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 I'd double check the ability to withstand todays ethanol laced fuel, it certainly rots fibreglass tanks these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bird Posted August 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 Thanks mate. I probably should have clarified that what I've seen available is a one piece cowl, if you like, that sits over the plastic tank so it's retained underneath, so no fuel goes near it. It's purely for looks. The seat section just clips in where main seat piece went. Again, thanks for your feedback. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattylad Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 (edited) I have a yellow one, looks much better than standard if you leave the optional seat off, easy to fit, quality, gel coat finish etc is excellent. Edited August 23, 2012 by mattylad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crowley Posted August 23, 2012 Report Share Posted August 23, 2012 I've had some luck with sanding and polishing race plastics (after a bit of tarmac surfing). Unlike polishing alloy where you have to get some heat into the work, you must not do this with plastic. Low speed and light pressure for the cutting compound is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bird Posted August 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 Thanks crowley. I've tried every polishing trick I know, even learnt the hard way about the heat on the fenders. The staining on the these plastic tanks seems to be in the very pores of the plastic and cannot be polished out or extracted. There's lots of stuff on the web but no one seems to have cracked a fool proof solution. If I could by a new tank I'd be cool. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copemech Posted August 24, 2012 Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 Talkin bout THESE? Look good! http://www.shedworks.net/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
searay175 Posted August 24, 2012 Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 I was considering buying one of the "tank shelters" as they are called but the shipping costs to the US scared me off, as thats what I paid for the whole bike . I had tried several plastic paints with poor results as they start to bubble and blister within 2 weeks.I even tried a very thin white vinyl film which also bubbled. Lastly I have applied VHT brand aerosol plastic dye in satin white on both of my TY's and let it cure with out leaving fuel in the tank for several weeks. I then applied the new decals which the decals are bubbling but so far "almost 2 months"with gas left in the tank still no bubbles but as I said the vinyl decals are. It was worth the $10 a can try but you can't get it at any auto parts store, I got it off ebay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bird Posted August 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 Thanks for that tip. A pastic dye? Haven't heard that one in all my net searching for a solution. We have VHT here in Australia so I'll have a look around. Also, thanks to the other guy with the shedworks link. I dropped them a line and haven't heard anything back yet. The only crazy idea I'm considering is using a rattle can paint that has zinc in the mix, as used for keeping metal stuff from corroding. I thought that the zinc, being a 'metal', might create a petrol resistant finish. Dunno. Could be a totally dumb idea, but you've got to keep thinking I guess! Cheers guys, I'm off to Google plastic dye... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
searay175 Posted August 24, 2012 Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 Like I said it was worth a try for me and so far so good but it's only been 2 months but since the tank decals are bubbling and the paint is not I feel pretty good about it. I opted for the satin finish thinking maybe it would breath a little to let the fumes through but it is closer to flat with little shine. As anyone who has painted a plastic tank and had it bubble, once that starts its easy to go back to the aged yellow finnish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crowley Posted August 24, 2012 Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 Paint bubbling on plastic tanks is an eternal problem with S1,S2,+S3 Buells (I have 7 of them and Moderate on a Buell forum) because the plastic used allows the vapours to breathe. I got a specialist car body spray shop to prime some of my tanks with a coating which yhey wouldn't divulge the name of. I subsequently top coated them and they've been fine since. Recently, there's been talk of a 'Class Action' against Ducati in the USA because the high Ethanol content has been making plastic tanks turn to jelly and fall off their mounts. My UK Duc is having a careful eye kept on it I think the 'breathing' issue with plastic tanks and decals lifting, is one reason why MX bike decals are covered with tiny holes to allow vapours to pass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
htrdoug Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 Talkin bout THESE? Look good! http://www.shedworks.net/index.html I'm in for a group U.S. buy,I was quoted $125 or so for the shipping,paul said he could do two units at that price, Which would make them about $215 each,stout,but would make a good lookin' TY...maybe less if we could get more than two ordered,but we'd have shipping inside U.S. to consider,and Customs fees(I didn't get dunned for Customs on my ClassicTrials fuel tank for quite awhile after I got the tank) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
searay175 Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 Well a follow up on the tank vht dye I went out to the shed just now and found a large bubble on one of the tanks! Hope I didn't mislead anyone. It worked much longer than fusion or any other brands but looks like a tank cover will be the only option. Sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2stroke4stroke Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 I used to get staining off with that kitchen cream cleaner stuff - but that was in the days when petrol was petrol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bird Posted August 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 searay175: got some of that white satin VHT dye/paint and applied it over the weekend. Tank now looks great. Time will tell how long it will last once filled with fuel. Fingers crossed. If it all ends in tears it was at least worth a shot. Thanks again for the tip, and other guys for your opinions. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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