Which plastic tank for an SX?

[fabiodriven]

So my metal tank has a leak and I'm gonna get a plastic tank to toss on there.

Clarke is absolutely out of the question.

I like IMS but couldn't find one for the SX.

What's the story with this one? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-ATC250SX-250SX-1985-87-Fuel-Tank-Gas-Cap-New-/251113114761?pt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a77820c89&vxp=mtr

Will decals stick to the plastic tanks?

I'd gladly buy a used one if somebody has one.

[bkm]

Have you considered doing the POR 15 sealer for your metal tank? I'm not sure if the holes will need to be brazed or welded prior to application but if your tank is still in good shape otherwise, its an option. I'm with you on the Clarke tank. I had one on my 350x and while the fit and finish was good, they lost me with the way they treated members and the products they will not stand behind.

BTW I think your link is for a Tecate shock unless i'm missing something?

[Dave Little]

Where and what is the magnitude of the leak?

I know it's a subjective matter of taste, but I would rather see a clapped-out J-B welded metal tank on my bikes long before I would even consider what is currently available for plastic. If the quality were in the same galaxy as OEM, different story. Changing off the metal standard diminishes too much of the bike's character. Granted so do dents and an edog paintjob but that's just me. I feel the same way about Maier plastic as well. not worth it IMHO. Don't do it John.

I went through all 4 pages of the thread you linked twice and it's not about tanks.

[fabiodriven]

Thanks for the correction guys. My computer likes to save old links sometimes, I fixed it.

This tank would be an easy fix for a tank liner. It's not destroyed. The thing is, I need to ride it soon and I need to find somebody who can paint it correctly before I can use it again. I'd like to toss the plastic one on there for now. You guys are making me consider just fixing the metal one now though.

[Dave Little]

So what is it?
pinholes in the back corner, leading lower edge rust from inside, rear mount steel sandwich seep?
Not like I have a fix for you, but for any of those, I would get out the dremel and tig and perform surgery, providing I had sufficient donor tanks on hand.

Tell ya what, I can loan you a red tank that has been kreemed by PO that'll be good to ride with while you take the time you need with your white tank.
I'm headed to sea for a couple weeks so it's not like I'll need the thing. I'll PM you my phone #

[bkm]

Fab's I agree with Dave, there is no match to the oem metal tank, but I understand your situation. I know your SX is a nice bike and I think the plastic would just take away from it. I'd look into the POR-15 liner if it were me.

I wonder if that ebay tank is a clarke blem of some sort. Its weird that there is no manufacture in that listing, that is what is leading me to believe that its a blem.

[Blown 331]

My brother put a plastic tank on his 250SX.
My cousin also bought this tank from this site for his 250SX. Looks like it might be the same but costs a bit more here.
http://justgastanks.com/product_info.php?products_id=1960
No complaints on quality or functionality. It didn't quite match the color of his Maier fenders though. So he painted the tank to match the fenders. I told him not to do it. The paint is starter to lift but its not very noticeable yet.
Personally I'd give plastic a try. Its so nice not to have to deal with rust and leaks anymore. Here's my cousins bike with painted plastic tank. Not a very good pic to show the tank though.

http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/b411/Blown_331/20120717_190620.jpg?t=1343498674

And here's my brothers with plastic tank.

http://i1041.photobucket.com/albums/b411/Blown_331/09-09-11_1132.jpg?t=1343498644

[TecateDan]

I've never used the tank liner. it if its any Thing like por s other products I'm sure it will work

[Flyingw]

Why the dislike for Clarke?????? I have 3 Clarke tanks and no issues except the white is an off white and not bright white. The problem with holes in the metal tanks is the metal has become so thin, one has to be very careful trying to weld the holes. An epoxy is an option but again the metal is very thin. Lining the tanks is a good option BUT... you have to get the inside of the tank really clean to get a good bond to the metal otherwise the liner will 9 times out of 10 will delaminate over time and cause a horrible mess inside of the tank. As far as I know. Clarke is the only one making plastic tanks for the SX.

[bkm]

Why the dislike for Clarke??????
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/group.php?discussionid=377&do=discuss
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/144851-IMPORTANT-250R-Tank-Clark-WARNING?highlight=clarke+tank+problems
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/145986-Clarke-Tank-Problem-Need-Advice?highlight=clarke+tank+problems
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/128953-350x-CLARK-TANK-FITTING-ISSUES-HELP?highlight=clarke+tank+problems

[200x350xtriz250]

Wide Open also makes tanks for the 250sx or so I have been told. I bought a plastic tank from ghdiscountatv, althought it doesn't say in the description, they said it is made by Wide Open. Fit was ok, fit really tight in the front and I had a little trouble getting the rear pushed on too, but it went on. Finish to me is like a blem tank would be. When I said something to them about the finish being subpar, they told me that the Wide Open tanks are not as nice as the Clarkes and if I wanted a nicer looking tank I should have bought the Clarke tank. I told them that the description didn't say what brand the tank was, to which they replied I should have known by the price. Don't get me wrong, I am happy with the tank and would buy another if I had the need but I thought, and still think, they should add a little more info to the description so people know what to expect when the package arrives.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-Atc-250SX-250-SX-Three-Wheeler-Gas-Fuel-Tank-NEW-/370622849364?hash=item564ad7e154&item=370622849364&pt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

[Flyingw]

Oh ya, forgot about Wide Open tanks but they only come in red.

[Dirtcrasher]

Some Clarke's have a bad name.

I have a red and white CLARKE tank on some 250SX's and I feel lucky. They fit and blended in well.

[pipeline triker]

I line my tanks if needed with a product called Redcoat. One part product and you can reuse what you drain out of the tank. i have done lots of tanks with it. only about $30 a quart. one quart will do about 4-5 tanks, depending on how much you can get back out. I would fix the metal one and not even think about getting a plastic one.

[bkm]

Some Clarke's have a bad name.

I have a red and white CLARKE tank on some 250SX's and I feel lucky. They fit and blended in well.Steve, I also was a lucky one with a 350x tank it fit and looked great, but after the way they conducted themselves with dcreels tank I was done.