I have just bought a 2003 Sprint RS with less than 9000 miles that is in great condition . I am planning to give it a full service but have read that the fuel tanks can expand when removed. Is this a common UK problem or mainly the USA. If it will be a problem is there anything I can do to remediate it? Thanks, Mark
Is this problem more common on the older Generation 1 models? I have seen loads of Gen 1 Sprints with incredible blisters all over them and deformation but I haven't seen a Gen 2 with the same problems. Mine is a 2002 Gen2 model (If your clutch side engine cover is made of several pieces rather than one big cover it's Gen2) and has none of the bubbling or deformation that is often reported. I have another Gen 2 2002 RS being shipped to me soon for spares and I am assured that it's tank is also blister and deformation free.
I've got to agree, plastic tanks just seem plain wrong on anything except a lawn mower or weed whacker.
Hi Mate & Welcome, mine is a 1999 Gen 1 recently put back on the road after a long period of storage, there was only 1-2 ltrs of fuel in it which had gone off, I had the tank off to get the fuel out & do a service, no signs of blistering & although a little tight, got the tank back on without incident.
Mines a 2005 1050, blisters all over. Tank might have expanded a little but a great big screwdriver to lever it into place seems to work.
So the problem isn't restricted to early models then. From what I have read it is due to ethanol in the fuel. Does anyone know whether this petrol/ethanol mix is universal across all petrol suppliers or are there some brands that are worse than others?
Premium fuel seems the only answer once the tank has long term dried out. Buy a second tank thats been on a shelf for min six months as thats how long it takes to self heal. The paint though will never be right even after that time and will need a repaint. You can 'liner' the tank but over the PA6 plastic it takes some knowledge.
Thanks for that information. I have a donor bike coming that is going to turn my Sprint RS banana yellow and, once I've done that I plan to renovate the original bodywork and maybe do a fancy paintjob or wrap on it. Even though my current tank shows no sign of blistering apart from the Triumph decal on one side having a very slight blister I would rather be safe than sorry.
Mine is 03 and has a lot of blisters and this year has become difficult to to refit. Never has before but a small dollop of brute force sorted that issue.
Nylon tanks are a right bastard is the answer...or rather the ethanol in the petrol is... I have 2 tanks.. one looking completely bee stung with blisters but covered with a baglux... the other pristine.... I swap them over when the tank comes off so the spare has time to dry out and shrink back to size for the next time to put it on....have the grotty tank on now for the winter
I wonder if this helps: http://deformedfueltanks.com/ It focuses on the problems with Ducati tanks but also mentions t hat Triumph also suffers from this. The consensus seems to be that fuel with ethanol is the culprit and it is the manufacturer who i responsible for fixing it.
