IMS or Clarke Tank?

[rkwfxd1]

I'd like a little more explanation on how to accomplish this. Like how do you seal off both end of the tank? And how do you inject enough air at high pressure to expand the tank? I'd think this process could change the shape enough to throw the alignment of the shrowd bolts off as well as ruin the seal on the fuel petcock.

He sent me a PM. He takes the tank off the bike and fills it with boiling water. he did not say but I assume the petcock is closed. He said to five it a few minutes for the plastic to warm up and then use a very low pressure in the gas cap vent tube. He said start with zero and slowly go up to a max of maybe 15-20 psi. He said it will take several tries to get the tank to expand and I would need to drain cool water and re-fill with hot.

I do not want to go to a big tank unless I HAVE to. If I do, I think I will try this method first but I will do it on the bike with the shrouds attached. Little more work to drain water but less chance of deformity....I think. Additionally, it might be possible to expand just the lower portion of the tank if I dont fill it all the way up with hot water.

If I try it I will post results.

[mkporn]

Many years ago the large water tower (like the size a small town would have) at the Plant that I worked at had its (overflow) vent freeze on a cold winter night, thus causing the top of heavy steel structure to cave in during water usage (probablly a couple of feet).

The company that was hired to repair it used less than 2 lbs. of air pressure to pop it out. Obviously it worked due to the volume of air used, not the amount of PSI.

Not really an "apples to apples" comparsion, however the same principles would apply.

Joe

Bingo....The heat makes the plastic pliable and the pressure expands it....It does not take a lot of pressure...start with only a few pounds and go up from there (its a whole force, pressure area thing) Don't use high pressure. You can do it on the bike or off. I prefer off because it is easier to drain and dry out when I am done..

You put boiling water in the tank and inflate.... inflate with very low pressure as u you will see it takes very little to start it expanding....keep pressure on it and let it cool then repeat for further... takes a few tries but works great....

As for expanding only a portion, I have not done that, but I have back the late 90's when I was stuffing a CR500 motor in a aluminum frame, reshaped the honda tank under side to make room for the CR head....Use a heat gun and it worked like a charm..

This same principle works when blowing dents out of pips, whether 2 stroke or 4 (if the freezer dont work)...It is a bit different as I use a rose bud on a torch to cherry the steel with both ends of the pipe plugged (the plugging is accomplished with a couple rubber stoppers, plumbers pipe hanging tape (galvenized strap) and hose clamps. Use a rubber tire valve stem installed in one of the stoppers....you pressurize the pipe to 30-40psi (be careful as this is getting to actually be very dangerous territory with pressure believe it or not) heat the dent and it will pop right back to almost original shape....

[mkporn]

He sent me a PM. He takes the tank off the bike and fills it with boiling water. he did not say but I assume the petcock is closed. He said to five it a few minutes for the plastic to warm up and then use a very low pressure in the gas cap vent tube. He said start with zero and slowly go up to a max of maybe 15-20 psi. He said it will take several tries to get the tank to expand and I would need to drain cool water and re-fill with hot.

I do not want to go to a big tank unless I HAVE to. If I do, I think I will try this method first but I will do it on the bike with the shrouds attached. Little more work to drain water but less chance of deformity....I think. Additionally, it might be possible to expand just the lower portion of the tank if I dont fill it all the way up with hot water.

If I try it I will post results.

Dang, thats one of the few times I have heard someone explain something that i explained to them and they hit the nail on the head....You obviously can read thru my BS....Sweet..

[Dustybum]

I put a Clarke 3.6 g on my '08 WR 450F and its great. Getting between 150 to 165km on a tank full.

Haven't really noticed the increase in weight on the bike, but then my springs have been replaced with heavy ones front and rear. I'm 6'3" so I haven't had the issue of my balls crashing into the tank when climbing steep hills either.

[Wrfrk]

He sent me a PM. He takes the tank off the bike and fills it with boiling water. he did not say but I assume the petcock is closed. He said to five it a few minutes for the plastic to warm up and then use a very low pressure in the gas cap vent tube. He said start with zero and slowly go up to a max of maybe 15-20 psi. He said it will take several tries to get the tank to expand and I would need to drain cool water and re-fill with hot.

I do not want to go to a big tank unless I HAVE to. If I do, I think I will try this method first but I will do it on the bike with the shrouds attached. Little more work to drain water but less chance of deformity....I think. Additionally, it might be possible to expand just the lower portion of the tank if I dont fill it all the way up with hot water.

If I try it I will post results.

Once you do this please send me some feedback. I'd also like to see some pix of how the tank looks after this is done and how well everything still lines up.

[rkwfxd1]

Will do but it will be a while. I have a 3-4 day trip to Ocotillo Wells planned for November and I will not do anything with the tank until after that trip. If range is not an issue, I will leave it stock. If I decide I need more range, I will try the hot water trick first. If it works, great, if not I will be buying a larger tank anyway so nothing lost.

[TheAnswerMan]

My 2 1/2 year old IMS tank on my '05 CRF 450X slowly developed a crack around the filler neck, and it began seriously leaking while riding after a few weeks of seepage. I tried RTV, it shriveled up and fell off immediately. JB Weld lasted about one day. Neither one seems to adhere well to the cross-polymer link plastic, despite repeated cleanings with brake cleaner, alcohol, and acetone. The JB Weld is too rigid, it might have worked if it had a bit of flex to it...

IMS said they know of no adhesive. I sent them the tank, and they offered to pro-rate it for $179.00, so now I'm a happy Clarke customer. Two of my buddie's IMS tanks on their CRF450's are leaking around the filler necks now too.

[rubberband-man]

i have ims, clarke and acerbis. go with the ims.

[Wrfrk]

Wow, looks like the Clarke is the way to go. With IMS you pay more for less capacity. You then have buy YZ shrouds and new graphics. The Clarke is a simple bolt on and go. Only real fear is gettin ur nuts crunched....

[redhurricane]

3+ years on a 2006 WR450 with the IMS 3.1 tank.

Had the rubber insert on the gas cap fall apart, and IMS replaced no questions asked. Tank has been great other than that.

[Wrfrk]

3+ years on a 2006 WR450 with the IMS 3.1 tank.

Had the rubber insert on the gas cap fall apart, and IMS replaced no questions asked. Tank has been great other than that.

Do you not realize that getting the IMS also means spending another $100+ on shrouds and graphics? That alone makes the Clarke the better deal, but then when you add on that the Clarke is $50 less expensive, you are now talking about close to $160 more by getting the IMS.

[ASternad]

Some are willing to spend the extra $100 to keep the slender feel the IMS gives over the Clarke.

[Dustybum]

Do you not realize that getting the IMS also means spending another $100+ on shrouds and graphics? That alone makes the Clarke the better deal, but then when you add on that the Clarke is $50 less expensive, you are now talking about close to $160 more by getting the IMS.

And of course the Clarke is that little bit bigger in capacity also... ?

[123BigcoopDawg576]

Do you not realize that getting the IMS also means spending another $100+ on shrouds and graphics? That alone makes the Clarke the better deal, but then when you add on that the Clarke is $50 less expensive, you are now talking about close to $160 more by getting the IMS.

While you are correct in your statement, I think the question really is which tank do you want?

And of course the Clarke is that little bit bigger in capacity also... ?

It also carries that "extra" fuel higher

[Wrfrk]

While you are correct in your statement, I think the question really is which tank do you want?

It also carries that "extra" fuel higher

I want the best tank.... and I can't get a solid answer on which that one is. I like them both and each has it's up and downs. I also want to spend as little as possible.

[123BigcoopDawg576]

I want the best tank....

Really? Its a tank no an exhaust pipe Pick one ?

I also want to spend as little as possible.

Sounds like this is your driving factor...get the Clarke and be done with it

[desdave]

I have the Clarke 2.6 made for YZ 450 on my 08 WR. Gives me about 85mi range, very slim, and you can put a petcock on both sides with the lines connected with a t fitting so you can get the fuel out of the low point on both sides. I used my stock shrouds (one of the bolts on top of the tank didn't line up, but worked fine) until I bunged up a shroud in a crash and then replaced with YZ shrouds/graphics. Had it on for year now with no issues.

[Mark Grant]

I sell them both. I think the IMS is better quality most of the time. I have seen some really crappy fitting IMS tanks and crappy fitting Clarke tanks. I do not like big tanks. My ass is sore and ready to get off when my stock tank is dry. Good luck. Your bike will run hotter and be at least 10 lbs heavier with a full tank, ENJOY!!!

[rkwfxd1]

FWIW I have decided to go with Clarke - cheaper and uses stock shrouds so cheaper still.

If my shrouds were all messed up I would go with IMS and Polisport YZ shrouds.

[123BigcoopDawg576]

And of course the Clarke is that little bit bigger in capacity also

I thought of this thread this weekend while I was out scouting out a 2 day dual sport ride.

Im running the IMS tank with 14/50 gearing. The longest stretch between gas stations was 117 miles. When I pulled into get gas, I still had half a gallon left

I will admit the first 60 miles were lolly pop fire roads but after that is it was all WFO ?

I was impressed