Kz1000 Carbon Fiber Fuel Tank

PLUMMEN wrote:

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

Considering the fact that there is likely no California vehicle code violation (that I could find anyway) for "fuel tank materials", I wouldn't expect to get harrased over it. Hell, if Jay Lenno can get away with a Turbo Fan Jet engine powered motorcycle in L.A., I should be pretty well under the radar at the Rock Store :laugh:

I did see where the Moto GP wouldn't allow the tanks with out a bladder, after some serious fires with burn injuries.
But I couldn't find any law, not saying its not there, that says legal or not for street in USA. This probably is so new to the street world that there has not been enough study for an action by slow moving Governments.

I considered using a bladder, I just hadn't done any research yet. I'm sure I'll take a more in-depth look later on down the road. They seem to work great in airplanes

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I have been reading through the the vehicle codes, and the only determining factors I can find for fuel system integrity requirements are a maximum amount of fuel loss immidiately after impact, 5 minutes post impact, roll over scenarios, ect, ect..... Now granted these only apply to automobiles, since the maximum allowable fuel released immidiately during collision is 5x more than my tank full You're right, a competent attourny can make something out of nothing, but even the NHTSA recognizes that fuel tanks are not crash proof and no matter what material is used it will fail in a severe enough crash. I would think that any legal protection from certification would benifit the manufacturer, not the end user. I'm probably wrong, but hey, the law is complex and ambiguous. I think I'll email OPP and see if I can find out what standards they manufacture their tanks to, that way I can at least look it up, cause I'm comming up with a big goose egg at NHTSA's website. I am not opposed to making a tank and destruction testing it. Hell, it sounds fun!!

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I removed my crappy spot putty job and mixed up some proper body filler. I spread it around nice and easy, as smooth as I can get it. You want to finish your body filler as smooth as you can, it cuts down on sanding, especially if you mix a "hot" batch that gets particulary hard :laugh:

This will get sanded down tomorrow, and I should be able to start primering after any final feathering around the body filler

KZ250LTD wrote:

Either way, I want to see this tank! The side-covers look fantastic. I have nowhere near the patience for this sort of thing that you do (although I do vaguely remember a 16-hr hand sanding/polishing job on a clutch cover... ), hope the tank comes to fruition!

I am commited to making it happen. I hope that I will be able to consult a professional carbon composite manufacturer and go over my remaining issues in the near future. Once I can get that, these parts will be GORGEOUS :woohoo: :woohoo:
Thanks for your (and everyone elses) support KZ250

I WANNA SEE IT TOO!!!!

FYI the Z1 tank does not have the lip on the bottom that the KZ tank has, it is smooth and would save some mold fab time dealing with that lip. I know you are past that point but I thought you might want to know that if you run into problems with that lower lip.

I would think it would be illegal in the racing world of sanctioning bodys. Most cops would never notice such fabulous craftsmanship.

I want to see it too.

You know kawickrice, I had read something like that a while back, but I didn't know if it was true or what years the tank was manufactured like that. I have been working (in my head)on a way to eliminate the lip on the bottom of the carbon fiber tank.....molding from a Z1 tank that doesn't have one WOULD be the easier option. But in the absence of a readily available Z1 master I'll have to work out my own solution. Does anyone have a picture of the seam area of a Z1 tank?

so you are never gonna ride this thing ,you know that right?:woohoo:

porchev914 wrote:

You know kawickrice, I had read something like that a while back, but I didn't know if it was true or what years the tank was manufactured like that. I have been working (in my head)on a way to eliminate the lip on the bottom of the carbon fiber tank.....molding from a Z1 tank that doesn't have one WOULD be the easier option. But in the absence of a readily available Z1 master I'll have to work out my own solution. Does anyone have a picture of the seam area of a Z1 tank?

no but i know where to get pics of plummens sister for 3 a piece