My new tank

[rx7tt95]

What about Ethanol? Yoyodine used to offer an RSVR carbon tank and they discontinued it. Said it was fine with 5% ethanol but problems started to arise at 10% which is what they're selling at most gas stations in the U.S. now.

[Viperfiber]

no problem with ethanol, this resin is formulated for the construction of any hydrocarbon reservoir or aggressive chemical substance as an inert ceramic .
it's a 98-99% dry solid epo phenolic resin .
Sometimes carbon gas tanks are only coated with tankerite that is like a 40-50% epoxy based varnish, usually good for standard use .

[Micah / AF1 Racing]

I personally would just prefer an aluminum tank for my bike, even a steel tank but I like metals more and more, actually the more I deal with composits the
More I like metals! I do love your project and if you can makes these tanks reliae and cost less than $1500 delivered to the end user I think you will have found a hell of a market. I think the same for the person bold enough to start fabbing up all plastic tanks in metal. I know the market is there. With all the idle production and manufacturing capacity in the industrialized world right now I would not think it too hard to create this new niche market.

[Viperfiber]

Thanks for your post Micah,
I believe that a metal tanks is reliable and more repairable,
the market for composites tanks is based on the reduction of weight and aesthetics of carbon, but it's possible to obtain an impressive strenght against crash using a special type of kevlar, used for military protection, when I was a teenager I did r/c models and I saw at model airshow microturbine kerosene powered scale jets that flown at 300mph, the tanks for this scale jet aircraft was made in ballistic kevlar and in case of crash no damage or fire happened, actually I find a black kevlar that has the same appearance of carbon, so it's possible to make a full kevlar tank with carbon look appearance,or use carbon only for the outside layer, the more kevlar used the more strenght agaist impact, often carbon tanks manufacturers use more carbon than kevlar49, not ballistic kevlar , less reliable but cheaper and usually good, I'm trying to explain the difference to the people and make something advanced and different but it's not easy to change the way that people mind, a tank like that wiil be priced at the price you said, probably less than a standard carbon tank price.

[Micah / AF1 Racing]

I am very glad to see that you are well understanding on the subject of composites, far better than my personal understanding of the subject. I do agree that CF or CK tanks have a multitude of advantages over metal or plastic and as all us airplane freaks know lighter is better up to the point of a loss of reliability.

Metal tank fabrication for a wide range of bikes that came from the OEM with plastic/nylon/PA6 tanks is a niche market that I can easily see a decently funded innovative person making a small fortune on as a business venture. Viper, I see you as having a potentially huge market too, because if you only match OEM tank pricing you will be BY FAR the most attractive replacement since you are using the high tech composites route for your fuel cells.

Keep us posted, as I mentioned before, I am personally impressed beyond words with what you have accomplished thus far. Where in Italy are you located if you don't mind me asking?

[Viperfiber]

Grazie Micah, sono molto felice di parlare con te ,
composites and metals are strictly combined in every high tech bike, car or airplane, metal have high resistance, heat stability and shear strenght,
composites can be combined together to have a lot of different properties,
so it's only necessary to be experienced and creative with them,
I'm waiting for the metal fabrics, such as titanium tissues, become available not only to NASA but to all people and there will be metal composite tanks

I live near Bologna, in Emilia Romagna, the home of Ducati, Ferrari and Lamborghini, land of engines since 1900 , I come here from central Italy when I'm twenty for studying mechanics and then I start to research with composites and make carbon parts on my own

[Viperfiber]

It's possible to make the tank with a white resin finish also, As I know someone prefer to paint it with colour, in this case the less time involved in refining of the carbon glossy surface gives the possibility to sell a lighter and reliable tank in carbon kevlar for $900

[Boostedrex]

Bella grazie Simone! I was hoping you would post that up after I asked you about it. I'm going to get some money together and will contact you when I'm ready to order a paintable version of this tank. Thank you for offering that version to all of us.

[Viperfiber]

thank you for your interest in what I'm doing, right ideas from bikers will be ever right things to do :-)

[Viperfiber]

the new paintable version in white gelcoat will be avalaible soon, Now I finish the carbon look ones, I'll post some pics next week

[scubacat]

Bump for updates....

[adelaideaprilia]

Hi to all interested in the tank, I have ordered the gel coat paintable version 1 month ago.
It is going to be shipped this Wednesday or Thursday according to Simone I will post information with photos once I receive it.

[scubacat]

Hi to all interested in the tank, I have ordered the gel coat paintable version 1 month ago.
It is going to be shipped this Wednesday or Thursday according to Simone I will post information with photos once I receive it.

Ask him to keep us updated on his other stuff to or at least post his e-mail address.

Thanks.

[Volfy]

Has anyone bought the carbon one yet? I would love the look of it on the Factory.

[rx7tt95]

Any updates? Anyone receive a tank in the US yet?