Rz350 gas tank options?

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RD400Fiend
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Rz350 gas tank options?

#1 Post by RD400Fiend » Wed Mar 09, 2016 10:29 pm

The tank on my RZ is rusted and dented and would take a lot of work to make right.

What other tanks have people used? Some fab work ok.

Thanks

evan_calgary
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Re: Rz350 gas tank options?

#2 Post by evan_calgary » Wed Mar 09, 2016 10:35 pm

Can run through the custom projects section but there are few options given the unique shape of the frame and tank. I don't think the answer will differ but would help if you put up what year bike you have as there are 2 different tank generations. As you can tell from eBay prices tanks are not exactly easy to come by in good shape.

RD400Fiend
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Re: Rz350 gas tank options?

#3 Post by RD400Fiend » Thu Mar 10, 2016 1:58 am

Its a 85 us model. Yes tanks seem tough to find at decent price.

RD400Fiend
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Re: Rz350 gas tank options?

#4 Post by RD400Fiend » Thu Mar 10, 2016 1:59 am

Was just wondering if there are a few that are most common for the swap. My 70's Rd400 tanks are in way better shape than the one on my 85 RZ

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JonW
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Re: Rz350 gas tank options?

#5 Post by JonW » Thu Mar 10, 2016 3:21 am

older tanks have thicker metal, the 80s was the worst time to be a tank LOL
80 XT500 Supermoto!
81 RD350LC Resto
82 RD421LC Hybrid
82 RD350LC decapitation project
82 RD250LC JDM '251LC' YPVS
83 RZ350 Resto
84 RZ500 Resto
85 RZ350 F1 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Resto
86 RZ350 F2 Hybrid

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evan_calgary
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Re: Rz350 gas tank options?

#6 Post by evan_calgary » Thu Mar 10, 2016 4:16 am

I can't really think of anything that has a similar shape and length. The single spine bikes all had a flat base that so they won't work. Need to look mid 80's or newer.

A few I can think of that might be a remote possibility but have NOT test fit any of them.
FZ600
CBR600 Hurricane (too short?)
ZZR600
1985ish VF1000R
SRAD GSXR
TZR250
FZR600

someone on here did a newer R6 but you would need all the bodywork to look right.

Just thinking about this, the Kawasaki ZX series will be too large, early gsxr 85-87 the base of the tank will be too deep and later (88-95) is a different shape. RGV250 looks close but its too small.

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Questo vecchio rz
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Re: Rz350 gas tank options?

#7 Post by Questo vecchio rz » Thu Mar 10, 2016 5:50 am

Ive just had experience w rusted RZ tanks, yep there awful, the ehthenol content is very hard on tanks, carbs and rubber.
I just finished derusting a nice looking orig tank, spent considerable time , I filled the tank with 50 nuts bolts and 1 lb of BBs and small aquarium gravel, then duct taped padding an placed it into a clothes dryer (on cool) wedeged inside heavy old blankets, I ran it for 2 hrs, WORKED AWESOME then used POR15 kit etching and sealed up the tank w double the recomended liner coating volume, tank looked very clean. Guess what...its still leaking on the side, under the decal. Derusting it actually made some holes worse and cannot be dealt with without cutting out the bottom & blasting & welding Etc.. $1000 dollar ordeal after new paint.
AS FAR AS other tanks, NOTHING will just bolt on, and nothing will match stock body work. Ive tried several diffrent tanks R-6, now a TZR250 which I like, but anything will require fabrication to fit cleanly, tank rework, mounts, subframe etc all factor in. You can buy fiberglass ones but they have there own hassles and are no lighter than steel. Best bet is to keep looking , Ive picked up 3 tanks for under 100 bucks on Calif Craigslist. (Im not selling them)...lol
In all honesty, your gonna have to spend a absolute minimum of about $600.00 dollars to restore ANY tank with a real world price of $1000 or more with a factory quality paintjob. Obiouslly if you can weld or paint, your going to cut costs dramaticlly. I can paint anything but can only weld BBQs and thats a stretch. Just buy. the best you can afford. The tank I spoke of above, looked mint w original paint but was stored for many years with fuel in it, the rust was awful inside..just awful. Over 12 ozs of rust flakes came out...too bad as the original paint was in great shape. Win some, lose some. If your rust is not too bad then a solid cleaning and sealer like POR 15 should work, but this one was awful inside.
Banshee (Baja) race bike,+ 2 A Arms,L.E.Ds, Toomey, +4 stroker IMS tank, run flats.
96 GSXR SRAD, Future Yoshimura rep.
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hablair
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Re: Rz350 gas tank options?

#8 Post by hablair » Fri Mar 18, 2016 12:02 pm

Try Yahoo Auctions japan

hats where I got my spare from, they even tell you if its junk

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DukeandRg
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Re: Rz350 gas tank options?

#9 Post by DukeandRg » Tue Jun 28, 2016 10:04 am

I am thinking of early model Suzuki GS500. Possibly with some modification it could be fitted? The problem is that they are old and rusty too..Image

MK
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Re: Rz350 gas tank options?

#10 Post by MK » Tue Jun 28, 2016 10:56 am

With frame mods I have used both RGV250 tanks (VJ21A and VJ22B).
And I have seen RZ's with Aprilia 125cc plastic tanks.

A very easy and straightforward method for custom tanks is just make a mold from the stock tank, fabricate a CFK or GFK cover in stock shape and just slap together a cubic aluminum box to hold the fuel that is hidden by the cover ...
http://abload.de/img/wp_000642dacz0.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://abload.de/img/wp_0006663nifo.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Source: http://forum.rd350lc.de/viewtopic.php?t ... c&start=30" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Bye
Martin

hondaror
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Re: Rz350 gas tank options?

#11 Post by hondaror » Tue Jun 28, 2016 10:35 pm

Rust is cancer. I'm seeing lots of this at work. (A bike shop). Any pitting and the area has to be cut out. Very expensive. After treating with chemicals new areas of leakage usually appear. For this reason, I'm going to try and hone my artistic skills, in aluminum tank fabrication, something I've never done. I'm not ready yet, but have both styles of tanks to copy. They will be expensive, but worth it. Lighter than stock and hopefully a better alternative.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

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DukeandRg
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Re: Rz350 gas tank options?

#12 Post by DukeandRg » Wed Jun 29, 2016 9:52 am

MK wrote:With frame mods I have used both RGV250 tanks (VJ21A and VJ22B).
And I have seen RZ's with Aprilia 125cc plastic tanks.

A very easy and straightforward method for custom tanks is just make a mold from the stock tank, fabricate a CFK or GFK cover in stock shape and just slap together a cubic aluminum box to hold the fuel that is hidden by the cover ...
http://abload.de/img/wp_000642dacz0.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://abload.de/img/wp_0006663nifo.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Source: http://forum.rd350lc.de/viewtopic.php?t ... c&start=30" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
That was my other plan, like the FZ600 had a plastic shell over the metal fuel tank..

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Re: Rz350 gas tank options?

#13 Post by MK » Wed Jun 29, 2016 12:58 pm

This is what I started a few years ago but didn't finish yet ...

http://forum.rd350lc.de/files/papier_formen_449.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://forum.rd350lc.de/files/zuschnitt ... il_207.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://forum.rd350lc.de/files/tank_1_909.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://forum.rd350lc.de/files/deckel_4_758.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://forum.rd350lc.de/files/tank_3_720.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://forum.rd350lc.de/files/tank_5_919.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Bye
Martin

hondaror
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Re: Rz350 gas tank options?

#14 Post by hondaror » Thu Jun 30, 2016 3:49 pm

Nice work Martin!!!
I'm going to go about it a little different. You'll see eventually.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

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Re: Rz350 gas tank options?

#15 Post by MK » Fri Jul 01, 2016 10:52 am

Yeah, that's what I have in mind, too.
Why bother with the bloody stock shape when you have the freedom of a completely new design. In my case I'd even need to integrate air ducts for feeding the MAF with calm air.

I've seen this one a couple of weeks ago on a track day and had a chat with the builder.
Image
What you see are mostly design sheets, the main tank is just in the rear part and only holds 8 l of fuel ...
Bye
Martin

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