Just figured I’d share this. I recently bought a coolant catch tank from Race Tech Titanium. I had an issue with my bike running a bit hot during a poker run in Nachese awhile back. It was 105 that day. Anyways, after some research. I figured a coolant catch tank would be a good idea. With my decision to set my bike up exclusively for off-road, single track, an oversized tank was also a much needed accessory.
A problem I encountered was clearance between the frame spar and, tank. It was the most practical location to mount this. After thinking about a ways to rectify this issue, I came up with a heat gun and, a lot of patience. I heated up the tank just warm enough to slowly reshape and, form it around the catch tank.
It was a slow, long process that took almost an hour and, a half. I’d slowly heat it up then, press the catch tank in a little each time. I had to throw the tank back on the frame checking progress several times.
Back to heating and, shaping. About 3/4 of the way through I was debating putting the stock tank on.
This was definitely more than I thought it would be.
The trick with the plastic is to get it warm enough that it was “nearly” opaque. Not clear. I had concerns about melting a $375 tank. That’s all I would’ve needed. I didn’t hold the heat gun in one area either. Just steady back and, forth motions.
It took 8 times checking my work for fitment.
Almost enough room to bolt the tank back in place. 👍🏼
After a little more heating and, shaping. I was confident I could mount the catch tank. If you’re wondering about the black strip, it’s Velcro with glue on one side. It’s to protect the frame and, keep the plastic from gouging the aluminum.
Aaaaaaaand, several cuss words later, it’s done.
Tucked up in the nicely.
It’s funny how things that trickle down from the factories take a few years. These catch tanks used to be something Pro Circuit Kawasaki withheld from the public. I looked on Pro Circuits site. These are available for back order. Fortunately, Race Tech Titanium has these in stock. They’re awesome people to deal with and, their customer service is really good. These were on sale for $165.
They’re normally $215.
Well, sorry for a long winded post. I’ve been withholding from installing this since my injury. I was just excited to finally get something bike related done for once. Have a good evening fellas 🤝
Thats a cool looking littleTitanium catch tank.
Good job on the install, but its a shame it has to be hidden away.
There really was no other place to set it unfortunately.
I tried up higher on the frame spar but, the forks hit it. I’m just glad I didn’t burn the plastic tank up 😅
why not put it between the frame spars under the headset?
Genuinely curious where like 4oz/whatev of coolant would get lost and need to be catched.
The Shop
The entire cradle is filled with the oversized tank. Red marks are spots I checked. I even thought about putting it in the air box.
I ride tight technical single track. Going slow there’s no real air flow going through the radiators. Combine that with 100* + temps and, 50-60 mile courses, overheating is always a possibility. I also added a 1.8 bar radiator cap after my last run. The thing about the coolant tank, you don’t lose coolant. It’s drawn back into the radiator after the bike starts cooling off.
I guess even such a tiny, tiny tank would help. Especially if your bike is only having a bit of a spit.
I can't recall the company that does it, but there's a catch tank that is mounted IN the downtube of some KTMs.
IMS makes one that fits in the KTM frame
Pretty sweet install. Always cool to see how people make things work.
How much coolant can they actually hold before it’s puking out the coolant instead of holding it to recirculate coolant back into the radiators?
Its a safety net, firstly , if works correctly ,the steam condenses in the can and gets sucked back in , for beach racing and desert stuff, the smart guys will run a proper expansion tank, so it will never lose a drop.
Good stuff man!
What capacity were the ones you once made?
I saw in a thread related to catch tanks that Motion Pro took your idea years ago when you were making them.
I’ve had my bike spit coolant before. It’s never been more than an ounce or, two. It always looks worse than it actually is with the steam billowing out. Just my experience though. I believe these ones are between 3-4 oz capacity.
Like I made for Supermoto.
I stopped making catch tanks years ago and I cant remember the exact amount anymore but easily 6-8 times larger than these little one's.
You've done quote the refresh; looks like you are working on a new 1990 out of the crate. I have a CR500 that has just went from a 2.0 cap to a 1.8 (MSV brand) and seemed to work this weekend. But that tank looks cool and a bit of insurance if it starts to puke fluid again like the stock cap (1.6 I think) did.
The ones we do for supermoto dont return the fluid to the rad, they are purely for no spills.
We have to run just water here in Supermoto, nobody should be running anti-freeze.
Thank you. I do have quite a bit of time in it.
It’s a 2001 CR 250. I am going kind of backwards with it though. I’m doing kind of a late 80’s, early 90’s tribute/theme for my grandfather. Hence the Camel SX decals, 90’s style seat cover I have yet to install along with, a few other parts.
We spent a lot of time going to the races when I was a kid. We were both Honda fans. Rooting for them from 86 - 97. He always wore a Camel hat as far back as I can remember. Bought me my first bike (a Honda of course), etc. I’ll post pics of it once I’m done with it.
What year is your 500? I had a 84 and, 92.
I miss those bikes.
Post a reply to: Coolant catch tanks and, oversized gas tanks