aluminum Fuel tank

[alexanderdraper]

Hi guys,

A friend of mine in Ontario Canada started his own business after working for CMR racing frames & tanks for years. He's been making tanks for race-bikes for many years. finally he has made an aluminum rz tank. (the later model) and is offering them for $1600 CAD
https://www.facebook.com/Cox-Custom-Fab ... 2134455069
if you contact him mention Alex Draper sent you

[tacky1]

The link doesn’t work.

[alexanderdraper]

https://m.facebook.com/Cox-Custom-Fabri ... 134455069/

[alexanderdraper]

thanks for letting me know! Does that one work now?

[kpke]

The second link worked for me. Wow. Fantastic fabrication there. You said the RZ tank he's making is for later model. It appears to be sitting on an 84/85 frame. Will they fit US model RZ's? Thanks for posting.

[alexanderdraper]

I'm not sure Ken. I've never had an earlier one to try tanks back and forth. if you contact him im sure her could tell you what the deal is

[MK]

All tanks from 83-85 will have the "old" mounting which is two c-shaped profiles at the front of the tank that fit two rubber mounts at the frame.

The later 86+ models had the front mount changed: there were two downward pointed "fingers" that attach to brackets at the frame.
The rear mount point was shifted a bit forward.

Converting one to the other is kind of possible, but involves a fair amount of decent tinkering like frame welding.

[85RZwade]

His work is fantastic and I hope he sells many, many tanks. I also hope to come into a large sum of money and feel like I can afford one...or two!

[RZtuner]

I was short a gas tank for a new project so I bought one of these from India:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/324627242130?h ... Sw9j5goSVP
The guy builds lots of alloy tanks for classics. I know there is a ton of complaints online about Indian gas tanks with questionable welds, rust in steel tanks, and some horrible red sealant they coat the insides of the tank with to stop any leaks etc. etc. So I asked a lot of questions before ordering.

These tanks are gas welded, this is a lot better than tig on an alloy tank as tig tends to localize heat spots around the weld that can lead to cracking. GOOD. They do not use any sealer to line their tanks. GOOD.
From the pics you can see the guy does excellent welds, like stitching around the petcock etc. GOOD

I'm actually a certified welder and have taught arc, gas, mig, and tig for 28 years but I'm not a tank maker. Tank arrived (sent as a sample-zero duty or tax!) It's fabulous. Uses stock tank mounts up front. Rear hole needed slight filing to fit the tank rubber. Filled it with lacquer thinner, no leaks. Welds look great inside and out. The guys a craftsman. My assessment 9/10. Tip: If you buy an ally tank wax it to retain the shine.

[bitzz]

I was just talking to Byron and he has a '89 RZ coming to the shop and he will soon have late model RZ tanks for sale too.

[kenny]

I was short a gas tank for a new project so I bought one of these from India:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/324627242130?h ... Sw9j5goSVP
The guy builds lots of alloy tanks for classics. I know there is a ton of complaints online about Indian gas tanks with questionable welds, rust in steel tanks, and some horrible red sealant they coat the insides of the tank with to stop any leaks etc. etc. So I asked a lot of questions before ordering.

These tanks are gas welded, this is a lot better than tig on an alloy tank as tig tends to localize heat spots around the weld that can lead to cracking. GOOD. They do not use any sealer to line their tanks. GOOD.
From the pics you can see the guy does excellent welds, like stitching around the petcock etc. GOOD

I'm actually a certified welder and have taught arc, gas, mig, and tig for 28 years but I'm not a tank maker. Tank arrived (sent as a sample-zero duty or tax!) It's fabulous. Uses stock tank mounts up front. Rear hole needed slight filing to fit the tank rubber. Filled it with lacquer thinner, no leaks. Welds look great inside and out. The guys a craftsman. My assessment 9/10. Tip: If you buy an ally tank wax it to retain the shine.

Hi What's the shape and fit like compared to the OEM tank Do the panels line up correctly? Does he do a 31K version too?

[RZtuner]

Mine fits an 86-90 RZ, the later model. It looks and fits identical to the stock tank. Has the bracket for the RH side panel rubber grommet. The only issue I had was the oval hole for the rear mount rubber was too tight a fit. Quickly opened up a bit with my porting tool. The front mounts are identical to the stock tank, and accept the stock brackets and damper rubbers. One of the bolt holes had a tiny bit of weld splatter on the threads that needed chasing down with a tap, otherwise good to go. Looking at the pics on the ad, that is my tank, you can see the bit of crud in the one tank mount thread.

I don't know if he makes tanks for the earlier models, you will have to ask. I think he does custom work too. He has very good reviews on ebay from a lot of classic bike owners.

The gas tap supplied is incorrect and faces the wrong way, but I am using a Pingel dual feed tap anyways... or you can fit the OEM tap. The filler cap is a really nice keyed jobbie just like OEM. I swapped mine out for a CNC billet aluminum cap that makes the whole alloy tank theme look really special on a custom RZ build.

It's hard to find an oem tank that hasn't rusted out, so I think these are a great alternative and a real bargain. You could even paint it oem colors if you are a purist wanting an all stock look. It will never rust!