Kz1000 Carbon Fiber Fuel Tank

I'll take 2 :laugh:

Yes I do have pics I just have to locate them. I be back in a little while with them

This is a KZ tank with the lip. (for others who do not know of the differences)

The Z1 tank at the same angle. Notice no lip.

Notice the reproduction tank badge that is less than 2 years old and flaking. Buyer beware

Underside of Z1 tank to see where Ma Kaw put the lip

www.tms.org/pubs/journals/jom/9607/alvarado-9607.html

Thanks for the pics Kawickrice, I think I have it figured out now......we'll see

And thanks for the link Kidkawie. It helped remind me of another source of standards, the SAE. I think I might have found the SAE standards pertaining to motorcycle fuel tank construction here: standards.sae.org/j1241_199911
the problem is I'm too cheap (broke) to pay the $63 for the information. Does anyone have access to this SAE standard?

Check this info, I think some of it applies.
www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/admi...key=0901633480023931
The tank construction part.

Since the standard starts out

Application of the rules in this section. The rules in this section apply to tanks containing or supplying fuel for the operation of commercial motor vehicles or for the operation of auxiliary equipment installed on, or used in connection with commercial motor vehicles.

I wonder how much of it applies to non commercial motorcycle tanks. Still, I liked that it had specific quality control test procedures. I noticed it didn't have specifics on mandatory material construction, which is encouraging. It would be interesting to fill my tank with 3 gallons of water and drop it 30' on one of it's corners :ohmy:

Adam, I personally wouldn't be worried about the average local cop busting your balls about a one-off carbon fiber fuel tank. The SAE code and the DOT guidelines for fuel tank construction "should" apply to OEM's for the purposes of legal liability. As you well know, I'm no lawyer but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night. There will be so many non-standard features on your bike that it isn't likely to be 100% legal anyway. What about the laws regarding frame construction, swingarm construction, weld testing, etc, etc ad nauseam. It's likely that you have violated the spirit of all of these regulations. In my experience, most cops are gear heads and will be impressed by a cool, custom car, bike, whatever. As long as you haven't done anything stupid while riding the bike, then they will leave you alone. I used to get pulled over routinely when I had my 1966 Mustang for dumb stuff. I found that most times, it was the cop wanting an excuse to check out my car. I always was respectful, and always got sent home with no ticket. Unless I was clearly speeding.

On another note, you made mention of the Rock Store. I saw the ride up to the Rock Store during the Amgen Tour of California. That is a cool road. I must ride it some time on two wheels. Motorcycle or bicycle is fine with me.

I'm not worried about cops harrasing me because of my tank Josh, it was simply a concern expressed by another member. As you and others have pointed out, it would take a hell of a knowlegable cop to even begin to dig into my bike, and if he's that knowlegable, he'll be trippin out rather than busting my balls :laugh:

The Rock Store is fun to go and look at bikes on the weekend and people watch for a bit, but the roads around the Rock Store and throughout the Santa Monica mountains are a riders dream. Come out anytime, I live about 15 minutes from the Rock Store

I brushed on some paint remover on the bottom of the fuel tank

This is the only way to take off paint in confined areas like a tank underside

Paint remover ROCKS!!

After some very easy scraping, almost all of the paint is gone. What little remians I'll worry about later as needed. The important part is to have bare steel for the body filler to stick to so that I can fill the strenthining ribs in the tank bottom panel