Posts
1612
Joined
11/9/2009
Location
Avonmore, PA
US
OldPro277
11/2/2019 11:32am
11/2/2019 11:32am
Edited Date/Time
2/27/2022 6:00pm
I'm wanting a craftsman to replicate an 78 YZ125 tank for my Hannah inspired 1980 YZ250. I had retro fitted a 78 YZ125 tank with custom billet mounts and have used it that way for 2 seasons,looks absolutely great and was 1.5 pounds lighter, but I HATE the plastic tank. I used Caswell tank sealer ( it was a new Clarke tank) to help keep the graphics on but the sealer hasn't adhered to the plastic very well and now is cracked ,peeling off and floating around inside the tank . Can't have that and I'm just tired of the plastic tank hassle, so its time to go the OW route.
So, I contacted my buddy Karl Landrus (KLP) ,he's done a couple of swingarms for me and I've been tremendously pleased, and I've seen some aluminum tanks he's fabbed and they look awesome as well, however he seemed less then enthusiastic about doing a tank because of his time constraints. I'm not sure if it has something to do with not being back to 100 % since the fire he suffered awhile back or if he is just cutting back on his work load, but I want an aluminum tank,dammit !!!
I hate to bug him,and I'm going to call him one more time Monday to make sure he's not a player, but in the meantime I need to find someone else that can handle this.
Also, I wasn't sure if this should be in Moto, Old School, or Tech, it kinda qualifies for all ,lol.
Someone give me some direction here, please.
So, I contacted my buddy Karl Landrus (KLP) ,he's done a couple of swingarms for me and I've been tremendously pleased, and I've seen some aluminum tanks he's fabbed and they look awesome as well, however he seemed less then enthusiastic about doing a tank because of his time constraints. I'm not sure if it has something to do with not being back to 100 % since the fire he suffered awhile back or if he is just cutting back on his work load, but I want an aluminum tank,dammit !!!
I hate to bug him,and I'm going to call him one more time Monday to make sure he's not a player, but in the meantime I need to find someone else that can handle this.
Also, I wasn't sure if this should be in Moto, Old School, or Tech, it kinda qualifies for all ,lol.
Someone give me some direction here, please.
The thing I like about the 3D printing approach is that you can get the exact profile of the OEM tank. Whereas a fabricator is probably going to square off some corners and have less contouring to keep time and price realistic.
Anyways, something to think about. I wouldn't rule it out until you call a few reputable 3D printing companies that could walk you through their capabilities and give you a budgetary estimate.
The Shop
Mav PM'd me an alloy tank fabricator from Italy, I just emailed them as well. I'll report on their reply when I receive one.
Seems pretty straight forward hey.
X-Fun in Italy makes gas tanks, but the welds aren’t the prettiest I’ve seen. Had one on my RM250 and it fit pretty well and looked great.
But the pics Slip posted look like the way to go, if the price is right !
He can even build you the whole bike custom. He sells custom cr500 parts as well
I'm going to try the guy in Big Bear too tomorrow.
Thanks everyone for all the suggestions and keep them coming ,if possible. I will report back on what I find out from all these possible fabricators.
When I get all my research done , I will post all the info I get back --as far as Cost and time frame. I will say that surprisingly there is a HUGE spread on both .
Pit Row
https://enfieldcountyspares.com/product/new-suzuki-pe175-250-400-dirt-b…
they also have an ebay store and generally sell tanks cheaper on there.
https://enfieldcountyspares.com/product/aluminium-alloy-petrol-fuel-tank-cap-for-yamaha-yz250-1978-models/
https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Bike-Builds,46/Works-Ohlins-Yamaha-YZ360…
1.) Enfield in India-- had them do my 78 yz125 tank. I had to send them a stocker for a "pattern" .I only had a brand new Clarke tank ,so I sent that, and a stock Yamaha cap so they could get the filler bung threaded correctly.
Tank got back to me in about 6 weeks, looked excellent and fit perfect, very ,very pleased. Only cost me approx $ 445.00---- now the bad news, they never sent back my original plastic tank or cap as they said they would, and the threaded fuel filler bung wouldn't accept an OEM cap . Cost me another $125 for a local aluminum fabricator to re-do the threads. After repeated attempts of trying to get my originals back, I basically gave up when they told me that all shipping out of the country was shut down due to Covid. Maybe it will just show up some day but I highly doubt it.
Overall, very happy with the tank.
2.) XFun in Italy-- Ordered one for my 08 Rm250, They actually stock those and had it to me inside of 2 weeks. Also looks great and fit well. Actually came with a set of 450Z shrouds --total cost was about $ 475
3) Local dude to me-- doesn't do it for a living but is quite a craftsman. Handbuilt one for a pit bike project, and although it was on an "experimental" basis, came out great and only cost $ 350.
4.) I did contact some of the earlier recommendations and found the following--- there have been guys with over a years lead time and prices as high as $2,000 +. Not sure how much nicer those 2,000 tanks are than the ones I got for 450-ish.
5.) Mastercross in Italy never replied to multiple emails I had sent
6.) Didn't know about those recent suggestions (Medusa Fab or Bormi) but may try them in future projects
Thank you
Post a reply to: Aluminum tank builder ?