A more modern look for my 05

[WILLIAMS37]

Last week I was fortunate to add a 2005 Yz450F to the stable. I knew it was the old body style but I didn't think it would bother me. A few days after having it next to my 08 450 I decided I'm going to make a few changes. The biggest drawback on this bike is the blue tank. Tanks are like $200+ and I haven't seen them in any other color than blue anyways. Is there a way around this? Anyone been able to paint the tank successfully? Also, there is a guy that wraps trucks for my dads company, and he said he is willing to try and make a kit for me for CHEAP. Anyways...

Here's what the bike looks like now.

And this is what I hope to kind of achieve. This is only photoshopped.

[426 NOOB]

Last week I was fortunate to add a 2005 Yz450F to the stable. I knew it was the old body style but I didn't think it would bother me. A few days after having it next to my 08 450 I decided I'm going to make a few changes. The biggest drawback on this bike is the blue tank. Tanks are like $200+ and I haven't seen them in any other color than blue anyways. Is there a way around this? Anyone been able to paint the tank successfully? Also, there is a guy that wraps trucks for my dads company, and he said he is willing to try and make a kit for me for CHEAP. Anyways...

Here's what the bike looks like now.

And this is what I hope to kind of achieve. This is only photoshopped.

I have heard of people dying the tanks a different color, but usually they were dyed black so i dont think it would apply to your wishes. Clarke makes awesome oem sized tanks that are way thicker and come in different colors. i bought one for my 426 and it is a great tank. they have them in white too. They run about $200 even and personally, I would just try to find one off ebay or bite the bullet. Theres nothing like having things done right even if it takes a while to get the cash. And your best bet for the white plastics would be UFO. Heres the link to the tank:

http://www.motosport.com/dirtbike/product/CLARKE-GAS-TANK/?prodId=86732&refine=1&catID=165&pcatID=4&catName=Fuel+System&srchHistoryURL=htelkga1%7C%7CparentCategoryID%7E1%5EsuperParentCategoryID%7Ecategory_root%5EparentCategoryName%7EDirt%5EcategoryID%7E4%5EcategoryName%7EDirt+Bike+Parts%406zc2lunk%7C%7CparentCategoryID%7E4%5EcategoryID%7E165%5EcategoryName%7EFuel+System

[WILLIAMS37]

I have heard of people dying the tanks a different color, but usually they were dyed black so i dont think it would apply to your wishes. Clarke makes awesome oem sized tanks that are way thicker and come in different colors. i bought one for my 426 and it is a great tank. they have them in white too. They run about $200 even and personally, I would just try to find one off ebay or bite the bullet. Theres nothing like having things done right even if it takes a while to get the cash. And your best bet for the white plastics would be UFO. Heres the link to the tank:

http://www.motosport.com/dirtbike/product/CLARKE-GAS-TANK/?prodId=86732&refine=1&catID=165&pcatID=4&catName=Fuel+System&srchHistoryURL=htelkga1%7C%7CparentCategoryID%7E1%5EsuperParentCategoryID%7Ecategory_root%5EparentCategoryName%7EDirt%5EcategoryID%7E4%5EcategoryName%7EDirt+Bike+Parts%406zc2lunk%7C%7CparentCategoryID%7E4%5EcategoryID%7E165%5EcategoryName%7EFuel+System

Good Idea! Thanks for the link too. I never considered the Clarke tank but it might be a winner. I have two spare gas tanks for the 05 so maybe I'll try painting one. Or ebay them both to buy the clarke. Either way, thanks for the reply ?

[husqy360]

nice seems like a great find, you got a very clean bike right there.

[matt4x4]

Don't waste your time trying to paint it - it'll look good for about a week or two, then the paint will bubble off from the off-gassing through the plastic.

[spark250]

I like the wrap idea. It usually too expensive to make $$ sense on something as small as a tank and a lot of places won't do those kind of jobs.

If you've got a guy I'd go for it!

[grayracer513]

You will notice that just about all gas tank graphics are punched full of holes. If this is not done, the fuel fumes crawling through the plastic will push the stickers up and off in short order.

[WILLIAMS37]

You will notice that just about all gas tank graphics are punched full of holes. If this is not done, the fuel fumes crawling through the plastic will push the stickers up and off in short order.

Would one of those shortened vent pipes help get rid of the fumes? The guy showed me the vinyl he wanted to try and it was smooth with no slits or holes. I suppose i could add those myself with an exacto or something like that.

[MX926]

The white definately makes the bike look more modern. Its a good look.

[grayracer513]

Would one of those shortened vent pipes help get rid of the fumes?

It would have no effect on it, no.

[JSanfilippo]

Black dye is proven to work on the tanks! (check yamaha 2 stroke forum)

Since you'll have a black seat cover the black tank will blend in perfectly. It won't look bad at all ?

[NortonMoto]

Dude I like it great job!

[BRY_426F_]

Save yourself some dough. buy a graphics kit. OR I think its IMS that makes desert & regular size tanks for ALOT cheaper than oem...Painting your tank will only end in an EPIC FAIL due to the vapors and residue that passes through the plastic as matt4x4 and gray racer said. An exacto nice will do nothing but give your vinyl cover an even shorter life... Maybe try a hole puncher.... my advice go on ebay and find some sick tank graphics... or go to your local kawi-yami dealer and see whats in the catalogs.. I know they sell after market black tanks.

[BRY_426F_]

Black dye is proven to work on the tanks! (check yamaha 2 stroke forum)

Since you'll have a black seat cover the black tank will blend in perfectly. It won't look bad at all ?

el oh ****ing ell. I like the effort put forth here.. i almost fell for it