Long story short...

The gas cap gasket self-destructed, and the tank started to leak gas from the cap area.

Doing my research, it seems this has been a known problem for some time. See http://www.thumperta...ad.php?t=475453

Don't feel safe riding the bike, so I decided to access my options. I heard that the XR650R gas cap works as a good replacement, so I ordered one.

In the meantime, I decided to call up Clarke to see if they will send me another gasket or if I can buy one.

The person on the phone seem somewhat miffed and annoyed at my problem. She definitely will not send me a new gasket for free (since, there is alcohol in my local gas that was causing the problem -- her reasons!)

And I can order a new gasket for a paltry $6... However, one caveat -- shipping will be $7.

They did not seem to be understanding in any way, and when asked if the new gasket will cause similiar problems, her quick witted answer was; "YES, it WILL."

I'm not mean or a tough customer, but I have to say, this type of response to a well-documented problem was not what I would expect from a big company such as Clarke. While she did assure me that they are 'looking' into the problem.. she is basically saying that, whomever is stuck with failing caps, are pretty much screwed, and you can temporarily 'pay' to have immediate remedy.

to Clarke. I will never buy one of their products and I would not recommend it to anyone.

I have a clark gas tank in the mail. I already have the XR650 gas cap assembly sitting on the shelf. The clark cap will go in the trash before it goes on the tank.

It is kind of lame on the part of clark I guess, but I could start a list of parts I have replaced on the DRZ to make it better for me and this is just one more.

What other option do you suggest?

IMS? No thanks, do a search. Acerbis, I'd like to but I don't want to deal with the whole "mounting an E tank on an S" issue.

Buy the XR cap instead of giving clark more money and solve your problems.

I love my clarke tank and will recommend to anyone who asks to buy one.
Go buy a new gasket that is alcohol-friendly,if you can find one; if not, sue the fuel supplier-But tone down the b$tchin.

So you are saying that the customer should just go find an "alcohol-friendly" gasket? If is so easy why would Clark not just make sure that the tank comes with this gasket? The majority of gas in the US contains alcohol, don’t you think Clark would realize this and start putting the correct gasket on the tanks? Sounds like poor service to me.

-Skinny

drzrobbcanuck said:

I have already ordered an XR650R gas cap for my tank.

As for my; "b$tchin" -- it's more or less for the way they are handling this situation. Acknowledging the known problem, and not really working with the customer for a satisfactory solution is my primary gripe.

I'm not losing sleep, and it took me all of 3-minutes to compile the previous post. I'm merely informing my DRZ brethren of the potential problem and non-solution should they purchase a Clarke tank.

My Clarke tank has never leaked but I don't live in an area that uses alcohol in the fuel. Corn is for cows and whiskey, not motorcycles.

I have the clarke and bought the anodized cap from the tt store . Very nice and no leaks yet . Looks good too. I agree with you . I would be upset with that kind of customer service . Hope that xr cap works for you .

Thanks for info Stan23, now I'll know what's up if my buddies clark tank starts leaking...a silcone rubber based gasket should be easy enough to source for a company like Clarke, no excuse for poor customer service unless repeat business doesn't concern them...I work hard for my money & try to spend it where it's appreciated...

My Clarke tank gasket is fine after nearly a year in service. I up graded to their aluminum cap(aprox $16) when I bought the tank.

I had a VERY SIMILAR experience....the lady that answers the phone (cannot possibly call her a Cust Service Rep) told me that since I was not the original purchaser of the tank, that they could not send me a replacement warranty cap.......

Mine was actually separating at the top seam, and making me sick when I took my bike home in my van, when I bought it.

I explained that the cap is clearly defective, the bike is less than 3 years old, which means that that, the oldest the tank could be is the same.

Also, this has to violate US EPA and California Air Resources Board standards and she didn't care at all...the only thing she would do is sell me another cap for $16....

If you think I'm bitching too much, compare that with IMS......I bought an 8 year old XR680L, the 4 gal IMS tank was not mounted on the bike, but the seller included it....

I mounted it and it leaked from the petcock......I called IMS and they sent me a new petcock adaptor, seal, and the hardware without any question or hassle, for free, including shipping!!!!.....THAT'S CUSTOMER SERVICE....and I guarantee you that stuff cost more than a plastic cap

I know I'll never buy a Clarke tank.....

The woman was so rude, I almost hung up on her.....

Cap issues aside would you guys recommend the IMS or the Clarke tanks? I have the stock tank and need a bigger tank but don't know much about which is a better way to go.
5366
So Boys and Girls... Clarke or IMS

No problems with my IMS tank carrys weight better and looks alot better, and you wont ram your jublies on the top of an IMS tank. My $0.02 of course.

do a search shleppy, lots of comparos there, did one myself last year

The Clarke 3.9. I love it! My gas cap broke at the vent nipple six months after purchasing. Bought a IMS replacement cap and have not had a problem since. No big deal.

aaronjohnston said:

Ahh yes.. Always a good idea to factor in the jublie impact factor

chargin' 7 bucks to ship a gasket is highway robbery. they could toss it in a padded envelope, sent it first class mail, since it surely would be under the 11 OZ weight limit for 1st class) and probly only cost a buck to mail to you.

My IMS tank was missing a few bits (longer screws, and the space for the petcock)

I called them and they ended up sending my the entire piece parts bag that had ALL the hardware in it, including a new cap, screws, gasket, mounting hardware, the whole 9 yards!! and all i needed was the spacer and the screws....

that's what I call customer service.

I won't even get started on a bad experience I had with the TT store though, so they won't get more of my money anytime soon.

I used to work in customer service, and as such, I have pretty high expectations on how to properly treat people from a customer service perspective since I worked very hard at keeping my customers happy. Anyone of my friends who has bought a DRZ, I recommend the IMS 3.2 tank.

After 10+ years riding with the Exxon Valdez sized Clarke tank on my previous bikes (dr350s) I finally concluded "I really DON'T need that much gas when and where I ride....." Most of my rides involve a gas/lunch stop, and I top off the tank if conditions warrant, and if my route doesn't include a gas stop, it's an ALL trail ride and gas consumption isn't an area of concern. Planning ahead plays a big part in "do I have enough fuel, or do I need more"...
That doesn't mean that everyone will be satisfied with the smaller capactiy of the IMS tank, but for my rides, it's fine.

Thanks for the heads up Stan23:
That is VERY BAD CS.
I will not be buying any Clarke Products

sounds like clarke should ...

a .. fix the problem , they would be aware of this by now .

b .. get rid of the person who is taking these calls , this person has '' chimpanzee'' like people skills .


it's all about customer service , i won't buy a clarke tank .the complaint is valid ,it is in no way bitchin .

have a clarke 16 liter tank with origanal cap and gasket no problems yet .....13,000 ks and counting.......

Staxrider said:

any vehicle runs better on corn than it does oil. henery ford intended his cars to run on it.