A custom motorcycle gas tank is one of the most important things you will need for your custom motorcycle. It’s the part of your bike that will be noticed first, so make sure you get a good paint job.
Choosing a gas tank should be relatively easy depending on what you’re looking for. When looking for the right motorcycle gas tank, you’ll want to think about convenience, reliability, and looks.
Essentially, the larger the gas tank on your custom motorcycle, the less you’ll need to fill and the more fresh paint you’ll be able to use. The less you stop, the more you will enjoy the ride. There are many options for a custom motorcycle gas tank that you can choose from. There are many styles of motorcycle gas tanks that can be built or purchased to suit your needs. One of the many types of tanks available for your motorcycle (or chopper) are the elastic tanks. Stretch tanks look exactly like their name implies. The stretchy tank is a bit longer and stretched out so it looks cooler, follows the lines of your bike and flows better.
You can usually find these type of gas tanks in many sizes 2″, 3″ or 5″ stretch and you can always weld some extensions to fit your vehicle or mold it directly onto the frame rails or the oil tank.
These custom motorcycle gas tanks are a mix of old and new gas tanks and are a great option that can do just about anything you want your custom motorcycle to be capable of.
Then there are the custom “Radical” style tanks. These tanks look great on any show bike, but they usually don’t hold as much gas, so be prepared to stop more often. You should also be prepared to talk about your bike with those around you while you refuel. These flashy style tanks will make the minivan driver remember when he wanted nothing more than his bike and his girl.
There are also tons of other tanks, Sportster tanks, King tanks, Mustang tanks, Dyna tanks, Fatbob tanks, Peanut tanks, Bobber tanks, Coffin tanks, Chopper tanks. They come with a variety of gas cap styles: flush caps, pop-up caps, airplane style and and and…it’s endless.
All tanks must be assembled to fit properly, then removed, cleaned and sealed inside and pressure tested prior to painting to prevent leaks. Again, there are many ways to seal the tank, but no matter how you do it, it has to be done.
Also, when mounting your tank, do not depress any of the mounting tabs when tightening the tank. This can cause cracking of the finish and weakening of the mounting tabs. Check all fuel line fittings and fittings before fueling.
An inline fuel filter is always a good idea with any fuel system. Don’t just rely on the screen around your petcock to keep gunk out of your carb.
Now choose a tank that fits your needs.
Drive safe and don’t run out of gas!