Post 2002 petrol tanks?

Bitza · 03-04-2019, 10:30 PM

Hi all, One of the final(ish) problems with my project (S2R 1000 lump into 1994 chassis) is the petrol tank. I currently have a 1994 tank already converted to take an injector pump, but the problem is that the underneath shape doesn't fit over the battery/ecu now fitted on top of the rear cylinder. So my options are to re-sculpt the current tank or to get a later tanks made for this set-up (with the different rear fitting, Now as far as I'm aware these are some form of plastic, so what I want to know is what are the pros & cons of these tanks, are they lighter? are most of them distorted, etc. and do you just happen to have one excess to your needs? all comments welcome Bitza.

Darren69 · 04-04-2019, 08:22 AM

The early injection bikes '01-'02 had steel tanks, maybe some even later (S4R?)

Capo · 04-04-2019, 08:33 AM

My 04 S4R had a steel tank

mickj · 04-04-2019, 08:34 AM

Having two bikes with plastic tanks I can think of only two downsides, one affect both mine but the other does not. Firstly ETHANOL, (the devils anal secretions). This has stretched both my tanks, lengthways on one and width on the other. But if you make sure the tank is thoroughly dried out, a couple of months in s warm dry place should do it and then only use Esso super unleaded (the only ethanol free fuel in the UK) it will be fine from then on. The other downside, which does not affect me is the use of a magnetic tank bag. I don't think there is a weight penalty.

Mr Gazza · 04-04-2019, 04:41 PM

Be aware that if you go for a later tank, your early seat will not fit up to it very well.
Personally I would be thinking about re-locating the battery and using a gel type which could be laid down, or used in any orientation.

Given the hassle involved with sourcing other tanks and getting a seat to fit nicely, I would probably favour altering the bottom of the existing. It might even bash in a bit if only a little space is needed after say laying the battery down.
If you need to cut and weld, then it might even be possible to gain some fuel capacity in another area?

Bitza · 04-04-2019, 06:03 PM

My thanks as always for the helpful info & suggestions. It looks like time to get the grinder out, I will be looking for opportunities to make some gains to compensate for the inevitable lose of overall capacity. Bitza.

Bitza · 14-04-2019, 09:36 PM

Have had a bit more of a think about this, and in particular Mr Gazza's comment "re-position the battery" which is seemingly the best option. The only possible place seems to be under the seat where the tool compartment is, has anyone already done this? how critical is the clearance between the rear hugger and the plastic .....mud guardish bit...about 300mm long? All comments welcome Bitza.

Mr Gazza · 14-04-2019, 10:13 PM

Maybe the ECU could be moved, which would take up less room under the seat than the battery, then the battery might lay down in the ECU space?

Feel like I've set off an awful lot of jiggering about and hassle. It all needs to be balanced against the cost of a new tank and seat.

Bitza · 14-04-2019, 10:42 PM

The major limiting factor to moving components around is the wiring loom, especially bearing in mind ECU sockets etc, but I can move the ECU from the in-line besides the battery position of the original, to across the frame up against the airbox. Then the tank as is fits perfectly. The battery of course just needs two big wires to relocate so pretty straight forward. It is just a matter of how much room there is to bury the battery within the seat, how much battery will need to fit between the frame rails, and finally how much would remain to hang below the frame? hence why the clearance between hugger & mudguardish bit is critical. A job for tomorrow I think. Bitza.

utopia · 15-04-2019, 02:11 PM

A lithium battery would use much less space .. although I think I recall that you may have expressed a distrust in fitting one in the past.
I have had them on both my bikes for a couple of years now, with no problems .. but I accept that there remains some uncertainty about fitting them to older bikes.
I could measure mine if you need the dims.

There is also about 5kg to be saved over the weight of a 16AL-A2 "wet" battery.

Bitza · 15-04-2019, 04:38 PM

Utopia, as it happens I'm using a Lithium (with voltage reg to suit), and have succeeded in burying it in the seat, straight through the old tool compartment and into the foam. Though I say it myself "What a fit" it's almost like the compartment was made with this in mind, which is a bit of a result. Bitza.

03-04-2019, 10:30 PM	#1
Bitza Bronze Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Poole Bike: M900ie Posts: 469	Post 2002 petrol tanks? Hi all, One of the final(ish) problems with my project (S2R 1000 lump into 1994 chassis) is the petrol tank. I currently have a 1994 tank already converted to take an injector pump, but the problem is that the underneath shape doesn't fit over the battery/ecu now fitted on top of the rear cylinder. So my options are to re-sculpt the current tank or to get a later tanks made for this set-up (with the different rear fitting, Now as far as I'm aware these are some form of plastic, so what I want to know is what are the pros & cons of these tanks, are they lighter? are most of them distorted, etc. and do you just happen to have one excess to your needs? all comments welcome Bitza. __________________ Bitza

04-04-2019, 08:22 AM	#2
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,022	The early injection bikes '01-'02 had steel tanks, maybe some even later (S4R?) __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

04-04-2019, 08:34 AM	#4
mickj Registered User Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Clevedon Bike: M1200s Posts: 553	Having two bikes with plastic tanks I can think of only two downsides, one affect both mine but the other does not. Firstly ETHANOL, (the devils anal secretions). This has stretched both my tanks, lengthways on one and width on the other. But if you make sure the tank is thoroughly dried out, a couple of months in s warm dry place should do it and then only use Esso super unleaded (the only ethanol free fuel in the UK) it will be fine from then on. The other downside, which does not affect me is the use of a magnetic tank bag. I don't think there is a weight penalty. __________________ Keep the rubber side down. Mick

04-04-2019, 04:41 PM	#5
Mr Gazza Lord of the Rings Join Date: May 2013 Location: Norwich Bike: M900sie Posts: 5,795	Be aware that if you go for a later tank, your early seat will not fit up to it very well. Personally I would be thinking about re-locating the battery and using a gel type which could be laid down, or used in any orientation. Given the hassle involved with sourcing other tanks and getting a seat to fit nicely, I would probably favour altering the bottom of the existing. It might even bash in a bit if only a little space is needed after say laying the battery down. If you need to cut and weld, then it might even be possible to gain some fuel capacity in another area? __________________

04-04-2019, 06:03 PM	#6
Bitza Bronze Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Poole Bike: M900ie Posts: 469	My thanks as always for the helpful info & suggestions. It looks like time to get the grinder out, I will be looking for opportunities to make some gains to compensate for the inevitable lose of overall capacity. Bitza. __________________ Bitza

04-04-2019, 08:33 AM	#3
Capo You Are What You Is Join Date: May 2005 Location: A Foward Location Bike: S4r Posts: 1,948	My 04 S4R had a steel tank

14-04-2019, 09:36 PM	#7
Bitza Bronze Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Poole Bike: M900ie Posts: 469	Have had a bit more of a think about this, and in particular Mr Gazza's comment "re-position the battery" which is seemingly the best option. The only possible place seems to be under the seat where the tool compartment is, has anyone already done this? how critical is the clearance between the rear hugger and the plastic .....mud guardish bit...about 300mm long? All comments welcome Bitza. __________________ Bitza

14-04-2019, 10:13 PM	#8
Mr Gazza Lord of the Rings Join Date: May 2013 Location: Norwich Bike: M900sie Posts: 5,795	Maybe the ECU could be moved, which would take up less room under the seat than the battery, then the battery might lay down in the ECU space? Feel like I've set off an awful lot of jiggering about and hassle. It all needs to be balanced against the cost of a new tank and seat. __________________

14-04-2019, 10:42 PM	#9
Bitza Bronze Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Poole Bike: M900ie Posts: 469	The major limiting factor to moving components around is the wiring loom, especially bearing in mind ECU sockets etc, but I can move the ECU from the in-line besides the battery position of the original, to across the frame up against the airbox. Then the tank as is fits perfectly. The battery of course just needs two big wires to relocate so pretty straight forward. It is just a matter of how much room there is to bury the battery within the seat, how much battery will need to fit between the frame rails, and finally how much would remain to hang below the frame? hence why the clearance between hugger & mudguardish bit is critical. A job for tomorrow I think. Bitza. __________________ Bitza

15-04-2019, 02:11 PM	#10
utopia No turn left unstoned Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: leicester Bike: M750 Posts: 4,545	A lithium battery would use much less space .. although I think I recall that you may have expressed a distrust in fitting one in the past. I have had them on both my bikes for a couple of years now, with no problems .. but I accept that there remains some uncertainty about fitting them to older bikes. I could measure mine if you need the dims. There is also about 5kg to be saved over the weight of a 16AL-A2 "wet" battery.

15-04-2019, 04:38 PM	#11
Bitza Bronze Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Poole Bike: M900ie Posts: 469	Utopia, as it happens I'm using a Lithium (with voltage reg to suit), and have succeeded in burying it in the seat, straight through the old tool compartment and into the foam. Though I say it myself "What a fit" it's almost like the compartment was made with this in mind, which is a bit of a result. Bitza. __________________ Bitza