Quick Question about passing tech

[Koontsa]

I have my first track day coming up with NESBA. I had an accident on the street in january and haven't seen a need to fix the gas tank. Everything is mounted securely. HEre is a pic. Basically the gas tank is just dented and then gas cap ring has a chunk out of the ring where a mounting hole would be. However it is secured in 3 out of 5 holes. Would this be a problem passing tech? I'd rather not replace anything at this time if it can be avoided, but I also don't want to get to the track and find out that it won't pass.

Thanks for the help.

[suwand28]

I'm not sure but I wouldn't think it would be a problem. But don't take my word for it.
Go to Nesba.com and hit up their forums. You'll get better answers from them.

[Mantis]

Hmm, that one could go either way. I know you said you don't want to buy shit for it now, but vortex gas caps are relatively inexpensive. Could you place a call to the organization running the event? OR better yet send them an email with that picture. I tell ya, some inspectors at the track let things slide, but I've also been sent back to my pits without a tech sticker for lesser things than that. I also could see how if (god forbid) you dropped it again the cap may be compromised enough to break more and allow fuel to spill out.

[OreoGaborio]

if the cap latches securely & it doesn't leak I see no reason why it wouldn't pass tech... but I don't work for NESBA

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

I agree with contacting the organization directly and showing them the picture, also get a name of who you talk to and the date and time you spoke with them (preferably get an E-mail response that you can print out and bring with you if they say it's OK).

[Koontsa]

The big question is should I replace the whole gas tank or just the ring around the filler cap?

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

Originally Posted by Koontsa

The big question is should I replace the whole gas tank or just the ring around the filler cap?

I crashed while racing at Blackhawk Farms in '97 (1st event of the season) and in the processs had another bike run into my bike while it was sliding down the track, they hit it right in the top of the gas tank. That incident left a tire shaped radius in the top of the gas tank, but since it didn't leak the tech guys with the racing org let me continue racing using that tank and never required me to replace it (though they did joke with me about when I would be replacing it since I used it for over a year like that). My freind damaged his gas tank as well, but just like mine it was all cosmetic and didn't leak from the damage, so he just Bondo'ed it over and had it repainted (word of advice: make sure this is done well - his 1st attempt ended up popping out a big chunk of Bondo not too long after he started racing it again - all that vibration can fatigue the Bondo if it isn't done correctly or allowed proper time to fully cure before painted or put under stress).

Again, it's up to the individual race or track day org as to if they require anything to be done at all. If they don't have a problem with it then my attitude is if it doesn't bother you personally, and it's still safe and functional, why fix it? I would probably just replace the ring personally (by looking at that picture).

[Mantis]

Just replace the gas cap, no need to spend the extra couple of hundred dollars if the gas tank itself just has a dent.