Kz1000 Carbon Fiber Fuel Tank

Besides the look, whats the reason, weight savings? Could you carbon fiber over the stock tank, and save some weight in another/ safer location? I've a feeling that if Johny Law wanted to he could Impound that bike on the spot. Doesn't Cali have a Crusher Law in place now for certain violations/ repeat offenders? Not trying to crush your enthusiasm, but if you wreck and cause a fire, the Investigation will show your mod. You might be in for a law suit from others as well as huge fines, possible Jail sentence. To save how many pounds?

OK, Now cut the tank in 2 and make it wider while your at it. I'll take 1 with more fuel capacity.

Motor Head wrote:

Besides the look, whats the reason, weight savings? Could you carbon fiber over the stock tank, and save some weight in another/ safer location? I've a feeling that if Johny Law wanted to he could Impound that bike on the spot. Doesn't Cali have a Crusher Law in place now for certain violations/ repeat offenders? Not trying to crush your enthusiasm, but if you wreck and cause a fire, the Investigation will show your mod. You might be in for a law suit from others as well as huge fines, possible Jail sentence. To save how many pounds?

Weight savings is not the issue here. The stock tank is actually pretty light, but I will make a weight comparison anyway. I believe it is within my abilities to make a complete carbon fiber bodied Kz1000, and that is what I intend to do. Trust me, no dampened enthusiasm here!

As for the crusher law- yes there is one, but it specifically targets street racers. If you get caught street racing they impound your car and crush it. Spectators can have their cars impounded just for being at the scene of a street race. As far as I know though, the cops dont impound vehicles for a fix it ticket.

As far as the possibility of litigation in the event of a crash......who's to say the tank failed due to material construction vs. impact damage? I have had steel tanks fail as a result of a crash......would I be protected from fuel/fire lawsuit just because my tank was steel..... I doubt it. That also raises a question about factory carbon fiber tanks (Ducati and MV Augusta come to mind). Do the riders of those machines have some extra legal protection that I do not? You could go on and on with what if scenarios. It might be a good idea to start a separate thread on legal liability due to bike modifications. I'm certainly no expert on the law, but I bet there are some members here who are.

I added a disclaimer at the top of the thread so no one gets the wrong idea, because I AM going to make a carbon fiber tank. Even if for no other reason than to say that I did it

i think i know where he's heading with this thing

Exactly Craig! But without the front fairing.

You need a custom tank Mark? Would you necessarily want a wider tank, or perhaps a reprofiled taller tank for the increased capacity. Those rs34's are thirsty!

This is gonna be great. Teach on porchev, teach on.

porchev914 wrote:

Exactly Craig! But without the front fairing.

You need a custom tank Mark? Would you necessarily want a wider tank, or perhaps a reprofiled taller tank for the increased capacity. Those rs34's are thirsty!

if i had the equipt . it would be cool to add a little width. i wouldnt want it to be very noticable, so if the width was changed rather than the hight , it may be less noticable. Not a serious request though. i have enough things to do.
i have a tank i'm working on now with a zx low profile fill cap and dual pet cocks.

how is a cop going to know what your tank is made of when he pulls you over?

Carbon fiber sniffing dog goes on "Alert".bj

Jeff.Saunders wrote:

Please, please, please check the laws where you are and in other states.

I know fiberglass tanks are illegal many places.

I am curious Jeff, where did you get your information regarding the illegality of composite fuel tanks? I found zilch in the California Vehicle Code, and so far I'm only finding test articles on composite and aluminum aviation fuel tanks. I'm going to keep looking, but I was hoping you might be able to provide my a shortcut? Thanks

hocbj23 wrote:

Carbon fiber sniffing dog goes on "Alert".bj

I'll keep a look out for the epoxy resin sniffing dog...he'll be the one that's cross eyed and keeps walking in a left hand circle.... :laugh:

Love the disclaimer - we need more threads with these starting them out...

Where's the damn popcorn when I need it...