TRX250R.ORG

Workshop => Body and Controls => Topic started by: Tbone07 on June 19, 2015, 01:22:15 PM

Title: Reforming IMS tank to fit frame?
Post by: Tbone07 on June 19, 2015, 01:22:15 PM
So my 4.0 gallon IMS tank hits the upper shock mount support bar. Has anybody used a heat gun to mold a tank to fit? Or any other similar situation? I'm afraid of putting a small hole in it

It really doesn't have to move much to be able to fit

(http://forums.trx250r.org/vbulletin_imports/483_5565_2017-04-18_556.jpg)
Title: Reforming IMS tank to fit frame?
Post by: mandom250r on June 19, 2015, 02:07:49 PM
I think [MENTION=172]ytman[/MENTION] would be the man to know. I think hes reformed his for more capacity. I would like to make mine bigger also hehe
Title: Reforming IMS tank to fit frame?
Post by: ytman on June 19, 2015, 02:29:24 PM
Does the stock tank fit? I didn't realize the 4 gal IMS was longer in the back. I tried to form the bottom of a 3.6 without much success. That was in the middle of the bottom. I think what you want to do there would be impossible. I hate that word. I have had success expanding the thinner parts on top. Can you go in front of the shock hoop? I did watch someone burn a hole in a brand new tank with a torch.
Title: Reforming IMS tank to fit frame?
Post by: Tbone07 on June 19, 2015, 03:01:25 PM
Quote from: ytman;55310
Does the stock tank fit? I didn't realize the 4 gal IMS was longer in the back. I tried to form the bottom of a 3.6 without much success. That was in the middle of the bottom. I think what you want to do there would be impossible. I hate that word. I have had success expanding the thinner parts on top. Can you go in front of the shock hoop? I did watch someone burn a hole in a brand new tank with a torch.

The stock tank fits, which frustrates me. I bought this IMS tank only a few months ago not knowing i'd have this problem. The IMS is longer in the back, and it fits my OEM frame

I think the picture makes it look worse than it actually is. I definitely wont be using a propane torch, i've got an official heat gun (not a blow dryer).

So all I have to do is push those 2 lower hanging corners (to the right and left of the recessed center section) up and out of the way about 1/2 inch.
Title: Reforming IMS tank to fit frame?
Post by: ytman on June 19, 2015, 03:09:04 PM
I hope you can do it. That plastic is tough. Don't forget pics
Title: Reforming IMS tank to fit frame?
Post by: rk88r on June 19, 2015, 05:37:56 PM
(http://forums.trx250r.org/vbulletin_imports/218_5566_2017-04-18_510.jpg)
Can it slide forward a little?
Title: Reforming IMS tank to fit frame?
Post by: ytman on June 19, 2015, 06:48:27 PM
A little trick I stole
  If you use a '86/'87 seat pan you can put a spacer between the plastic base and the bolt on bracket to pick up some room. Plus trimming a little off the rubbers. It does mess up the line between the bottom of the seat and the plastic tho.
Title: Reforming IMS tank to fit frame?
Post by: bnau267 on June 19, 2015, 08:55:11 PM
That frame looks clean.  You got a build thread going.  Heat gun should work.
Title: Reforming IMS tank to fit frame?
Post by: ytman on June 19, 2015, 10:29:20 PM
More pics rk88r. Is that a 4.0 IMS? Did you have to make brackets or elongate holes?
Title: Reforming IMS tank to fit frame?
Post by: rk88r on June 19, 2015, 10:38:43 PM
I don't remember elongating them so if I did it would have been minimal. I see the bolt in the front is centered front to back. Yeah it's about a year old 4.0 Ims.
Title: Reforming IMS tank to fit frame?
Post by: rk88r on June 19, 2015, 10:40:10 PM
Good idea on using a plastic shim to get the seat from rubbing the frame.
Title: Reforming IMS tank to fit frame?
Post by: Tbone07 on June 20, 2015, 11:48:04 AM
Quote from: rk88r;55315
(http://forums.trx250r.org/vbulletin_imports/218_5566_2017-04-18_4202.jpg)
Can it slide forward a little?

The tank is as far forward as it can go
Title: Reforming IMS tank to fit frame?
Post by: Tbone07 on June 20, 2015, 11:49:12 AM
Quote from: bnau267;55319
That frame looks clean.  You got a build thread going.  Heat gun should work.

I've got some pictures so I can update my old build thread, since I guess I never actually finished that build lol
Title: Reforming IMS tank to fit frame?
Post by: broken1 on June 20, 2015, 12:45:17 PM
I used a miluawkee heat gun on the low setting(750deg.)to reshape some rear fenders I have that were tweaked. It worked very well, just take your time & don't focus the heat in one spot for too long & you'll be fine.
Title: Reforming IMS tank to fit frame?
Post by: ytman on June 20, 2015, 09:43:23 PM
Tbone07  The answer to your original questions are... yes and yes. Someone has used a heat gun to mold a tank to fit and someone has tried a similar situation. The plastic has a strong memory and wants to return to where it was molded originally. You are dealing with the strongest part of the tank, an outside corner. I am no plastics expert. I heated the bottom of an IMS tank to almost liquid form and could not make it change a half an inch even in a flat area much easier than what you are about to attempt. Fenders and the top of a fuel tank are much thinner than the part of the tank you are attempting to modify.
       Please post pictures of your success as you will be the Christopher Columbus of tank melting. Sorry. Just trying to save you some grief and be optimistic at the same time.
Title: Reforming IMS tank to fit frame?
Post by: hontrx265r on June 21, 2015, 01:59:50 AM
I have reshaped my 4.0 on my lsr frame. It was on the bottom. It does not move like you would probably imagine, but it can be done. Like said above it wants to return and its pretty tough.
Title: Reforming IMS tank to fit frame?
Post by: Tbone07 on June 21, 2015, 01:36:03 PM
Quote from: ytman;55348
Tbone07  The answer to your original questions are... yes and yes. Someone has used a heat gun to mold a tank to fit and someone has tried a similar situation. The plastic has a strong memory and wants to return to where it was molded originally. You are dealing with the strongest part of the tank, an outside corner. I am no plastics expert. I heated the bottom of an IMS tank to almost liquid form and could not make it change a half an inch even in a flat area much easier than what you are about to attempt. Fenders and the top of a fuel tank are much thinner than the part of the tank you are attempting to modify.
       Please post pictures of your success as you will be the Christopher Columbus of tank melting. Sorry. Just trying to save you some grief and be optimistic at the same time.

Operation melting tank is a no go. I used a legitimate heat gun and spread the heat around to get the entire area and it really didn't do much but it was worth a shot

I didn't go as far as I could have because I don't want to ruin the tank for resale. I can always order a Clarke and use my OEM tank for this upcoming weekend
 [MENTION=172]ytman[/MENTION] you were right, that plastic is one tough SOB in that lower area.
Title: Reforming IMS tank to fit frame?
Post by: croat1 on June 21, 2015, 02:33:14 PM
Tbone, dpending on how much your rear tank ear hits the rear upright....maybe you can increase the front tank mount slot a little and then elongate the rear tank mount mouting holes. this will allow you to move the tank forward. down side is that you will have to run a + forward stem

Joe
Title: Reforming IMS tank to fit frame?
Post by: ytman on June 21, 2015, 09:28:38 PM
Quote from: Tbone07;55337
The tank is as far forward as it can go
That tank is the best looking oversized tank. It's a shame you cant make it fit. What is stopping it from shifting forward? Unfortunately I can't check my Clarkes to see if they are long in the back. Maybe someone else can.
Title: Reforming IMS tank to fit frame?
Post by: Tbone07 on June 21, 2015, 11:44:20 PM
Quote from: ytman;55368
That tank is the best looking oversized tank. It's a shame you cant make it fit. What is stopping it from shifting forward? Unfortunately I can't check my Clarkes to see if they are long in the back. Maybe someone else can.

I like the way the IMS looks too, which makes it more frustrating. Bnau is using a Clarke tank with CR500/no-link upper shock mount location and it fits well

The front tank mount is pushed all the way into the bracket and can't travel any farther forward