Fuel tank repair

Caswell's Phenol Novolac Epoxy Gas Tank Sealer

Thanks to Chuck in Indiana for posting this fix on the Wild Guzzi forum when his tank started leaking around the mounting holes, etc.

I remember Pat Hayes saying this was good stuff a long time ago. I tried several fixes that didn't work. Mark at MG Classics told me he didn't know of any liner material that would stick to a plastic tank. In desperation, I called their (Caswell's) tech support, and he said if it wasn't polypropylene, it would work. The Quota tank already has a liner of some sort, so I *assumed* it wasn't polypropylene, and ordered a kit.

This stuff's the berries. I prepped the tank exactly like they said, and applied it according to the instructions. It sticks like crazy and remains flexible. Ever price a Quota tank? I'm a happy camper.

Phenol Novolac Epoxy Gas Tank Sealer

Hylomar

Author: Martin Standing

Martin Standing sent me several articles directly related to his Moto Guzzi Quota 1100 ES. I am happy to host his articles. Enjoy!

Soon after buying the Quota, I was generally looking around at the condition of the bike. Most of the rubbers an fuel lines needed replacing and I noticed that around the tank there was often a smell of fuel. When I removed the tank for the first time, I found the reason. On one of the screw inserts, where the fairing screws into the fuel tank, fuel was weeping out around the insert. It wasn't dripping out, but was always wet.

To repair the problem looked to be a significant job and I wanted to consider the situation before rushing in and doing one of those repairs that you often regret. As a temporary repair, I decided to use my trusty favourite gasket sealant Hylomar Blue. I cut some small square patches of rubber from an old inner-tube and made small holes for the screws to go through (smaller than the thread diameter). I squeezed a little Hylomar into the female thread of the insert and liberally around the insert area. I then fitted the fairing screws, problem solved.

Whilst this was always intended as a temporary fixed, it has worked so well that I will just continue to use this method. I apply this method to all of the 4 screws and consider it almost as preventive maintenance. The Hylomar acts as a very soft thread lock, so I don't tighten the screws all that tight and there is no risk of them working loose. Hylomar is fuel resistant, but is easily cleaned from surfaces with other solvents such as brake cleaners. It never sets and even old residuals can be removed reasonably easily.