think this will pass tech?

endoracing · 03-25-2006, 01:34 AM

i bought my bike wrecked and I'm worried that the gas tank might not pass tech ... the cap seems to seal, but I dont know how picky they are when it comes to something like this:

jk750 · 03-25-2006, 09:45 AM

damn stunterz!

silent_R1 · 03-25-2006, 10:31 AM

i would start hunting ebay.

GSXR RACER MIKE · 03-25-2006, 02:37 PM

If your racing CCS they want your bike to look like it's somewhat professionally maintained, not perfect, but respectable and preferably clean. Tech inspectors can vary greatly in their individual pet peeves as to what they will allow or not, for example some are very picky on number plate size and shape, others could care less (or so it seems). They really don't want to see stuff that would be considered a "bandaid", like duct taped or safety wired together broken bodywork. I'm not saying that they wouldn't allow bikes with those things, but they don't prefer them and would use it against you in the event you had 1 or more other 'issues' with your bike and you got on their bad side or something. Using 'bandaid' fixes to TEMPORARILY make your bike usable after a crash or trailering incident (I had a non-rachet strap slip during transport and it allowed my 600 to fall against my generator and busted the tail section) is almost always allowed in order to get you on the track that event. But once you've had time between events to fix things they really want to see it repaired properly and in a "Craftsman like fashion".

As for the tank, well that's a judgement call by the individual tech inspector. I crashed in '97 while passing for the lead because the person I was passing ran wide and forced me off the track at 80+MPH into the 4" of snow that was covering the grass at that time. I ended up hitting a dip, the bike washed out, and the bike and myself went sliding back out onto the track right in front of the approaching pack of bikes. Two racers were heading right at me and they ended up splitting apart and going by me on each side as I was sliding down the track, the guy who went between me and the side of the track ended up hitting my bike in the top of the gas tank as it slid down the track out ahead of me. This left a great 3D image formed into the top of my tank that looked just like his front tire, but it didn't rupture or leak so I ended up using it for the entire season (that happened at the 1st event). The big difference there was that it didn't even mess up the paint, so I just kept it clean all season and nothing was said about it until the last event of that season. The tech inspector mentioned at that last event that he wanted to see me replace or repair the tank before the next season, which I did, but I thought he was pretty cool for letting me go as long as he did. Make sure and become freinds with the inspectors, you definately don't want to get on their bad side.

I think if you painted the tank where it's damaged so as to try and make it a little less obvious you should be ok (but you should definately start looking for a replacement). I would make sure you don't have anything else that is questionable on the bike, have it looking good and clean, and do everything 'by the book' (bring your race gear to tech with you, have the reinforced engine covers if required, make sure your safety wiring is done, and bring your paperwork with you from registration). The tech guys aren't evil, but they can get frustrated at times by so many racers showing up to tech unprepared and trying to get away with marginal stuff. Be the guy who is 'doing it right' and that will definately earn you some lee-way with them and make life alot easier in the future.

endoracing · 03-27-2006, 09:26 AM

I was thinking about painting it ...

I may buy one off ebay, my main issue is if I spend 150 dollars just to go out and wreck and screw that tank up I'm gonna be annoyed.

silent_R1 · 03-27-2006, 10:01 AM

better that than not spend the money on a tank, drive to a event, and they tell you no, you can't b/c you need a tank. talk about a difference between pissed and annoyed. annoyed it a mosequito sting, this would be like a friggin wasp.

Squam69 · 03-27-2006, 11:37 AM

Bondo it, sand & smooth it, prime it, rattle can it...Done. Doesn't need to be pretty, just look like the normal shape the tank should be........

endoracing · 03-27-2006, 09:05 PM

I'm liking the bondo idea, but that would take a lot of bondo...

I just bought one off ebay... its getting too close to my first race day to be worrying about 150 dollars when the weekend alone is going to be close to (probably well over) 700 by the time I'm done.

GSXR RACER MIKE · 03-27-2006, 09:33 PM

Intense vibration from racing could be an enemy on Bondo and cause it to seperate from the tank. Anyone who tries this should make sure they prep the tank really good before Bondo.

GSXR RACER MIKE · 03-27-2006, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lamah

I just bought one off ebay... its getting too close to my first race day to be worrying about 150 dollars when the weekend alone is going to be close to (probably well over) 700 by the time I'm done.

Actually, if that tank you bought is in decent shape I have to say you got a good deal for $150, now you can save your banged up one and have it with you as a spare in case you have an unfortunate incident at the track.

endoracing · 03-28-2006, 04:46 PM

yeah .. it was 165 + 30 shipping ... so 195 for a good condition tank and I guess it has the fuel pump too ..

GSXR RACER MIKE · 03-28-2006, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lamah

yeah .. it was 165 + 30 shipping ... so 195 for a good condition tank and I guess it has the fuel pump too ..

That's really good! I had to buy a brand new tank when I replaced mine on my '96 GSXR 750, that thing was crazy expensive. A few years later when I bought my '99 GSXR 600 I stumbled into a deal at my local dealership where I get my bikes. The mechanic had the identical bike as me and replaced his tank after his G/F's ring rotated around her finger as she braced herself on the tank when they were riding. As they stopped rather quickly one time her hands slid forward a few inches on the tank and cut a scatch into it, he couldn't live with the scratch and replaced it. He ended up selling me the tank only (no filler assembly or fuel pump) for $250, except for the scratch it's like brand new.

Keep your eye out for deals on stuff that could be inexpensive spares for your bike, better to have it and not need it than wish you had a spare whatever. Even banged up stuff that is still safely usable is good to bring with you, sometimes it's the craziest things that get messed up when you unexpectedly go agricultural racing. It's also nice to have the spare stuff ready to go and even painted to match your other stuff, the damage doesn't stand out near as much when the paint matches.

endoracing · 03-28-2006, 08:08 PM

good advice .. I really need a trailer that will pull my f4i and the f4 since a lot of parts could be stolen off that to fix up the f4i. Obviously not all of them, but enough that I think it would be worth it.

Not to mention it has race bodywork so if I do a little wireing and a catch can it would be legal and for the same class as the f4i.

terrasmak · 03-30-2006, 05:11 AM

My last race bike had a tank like that , a little slide hammer work with bondo and it was just fine , wasnt pretty , but fron 15 feet you would never know .

seca2r6 · 03-30-2006, 06:35 PM

I had a fairly serious lowside at the track that tore the VFR up pretty good. Decided to "bondo" the tank (hate that term since Bondo is just a brand name, it's actually the shittiest body filler you can buy). Put a quart and a half of some body filler called "All-Metal" on it. Great stuff, just make sure you grind the tank down to bare, scratched metal so it will stick. Than plan on spending about 5 hrs or so applying the filler and sanding it to get shape. I used wax paper to help shape it, then hit it with some primer and rattle-can paint and you should be set. As long as you use a good quality filler, you shouldn't have to worry about it falling off in a clump on the track.

Here's a link to what the can looks like, should be ably to pick it up at a body shop or online.