Looking for the story

[treecop]

Saw the story of the bike that burnt up. It was horrible, and some of my buddies didn't believe me. Went to look up the website and I can't get to it off my favorites. Anybody have it, or know where to get the website? ?

Also, Grand Lake trails open June 15 hopefully. We lost a lot of roads/trails due to runoff this year, and are working like the dickens to open them on time.

[Hick]

I believe that thread was deleted due to perhaps unsubstantiated claims contained therein that may have been hasty in intimating that culpability for the fire lay with a certain aftermarket tank manufacturer that shall remain nameless.

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[fiveoh141]

That was very diplomatic Hick.

[SBG]

I can't believe the story was removed because of that. Wouldn't it be obvious that the plastic would melt without a heat shield on the tank being that close to the header pipe. Not only that but a header pipe that can turn cherry red within 2 minutes of idling. So who pulled the info? I don't understand how telling this story could hurt. If said manufacturer doesn't include a heat shield, maybe they'd be liable for 1 bike (at this point), and look into adding a shield. Also, anyone with that tank would have a heads up about possibly blowing up in flames.

[MOmilkman]

I believe that thread was deleted due to perhaps unsubstantiated claims contained therein that may have been hasty in intimating that culpability for the fire lay with a certain aftermarket tank manufacturer that shall remain nameless.

Lawyer Hick at your service ?

[Hick]

I can't believe the story was removed because of that. Wouldn't it be obvious that the plastic would melt without a heat shield on the tank being that close to the header pipe. Not only that but a header pipe that can turn cherry red within 2 minutes of idling. So who pulled the info?

Thumpertalk deleted the post.

I owned that particular tank, installed on a very similar bike (hint hint) and I thought I should point out that it would be nearly impossible for what you are implying to actually happen. I had a PC T4 header, probably the fattest and highest you can get also w/ no heat shield, and this was not an issue. The tank wasn't even getting warm.

Also, I can't be certain because the post is gone, but I'm pretty sure that the scenario you are alluding to is not at all what happened in this case.

Finally, it is Bryan's site, he can delete whatever posts he wants. Of course, he is a fair man and I'm sure he can understand, and will be tolerant of, your objection to that.

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[SBG]

I think instead of deleting it, a better explanation should have been posted for those who already read what was offered up. If it was a fact that the tank didn't rupture due to the heat, that should have been said. When a post like that gets deleted with no answer as to whether it was the tanks construction or the fault of the bike owner, it still would make me think that there would be a problem with that aftermarket tank. I'm not saying it was wrong to get rid of the thread, but it would have been nice to have this explanation as posted right here. Thanks. ?

[Hick]

I think instead of deleting it, a better explanation should have been posted for those who already read what was offered up.

Bryan did post a brief explanation, that is how I know why it was deleted, but it died with the post I guess...

I'm thinking that if you had a chance to read the thread again you would agree that there was no real smoking gun, per se.

IMO it was a useful thread only in the sense that it was sad to see a guy's bike burn to the ground. I didn't see any issues in there that might pertain to any other owners of aftermarket tanks, other than, if you have a hole in your tank, something might catch on fire. And that sort of goes without saying.

So, while it was a very interesting read, I don't see how it would necessarily merit not being deleted.

Pretty much like this thread, in other words... ?

[gratefuldawg]

Treecop, If you did not already get it, PM me and I can get you the link.

[sjw]

I have it. pm me

[RJGilbert]

Wow its gone like it never happened. Reminds me of Men in Black: look at the pen, flash... memory erased. Too bad, as it was a good example of why not to patch a cracked aftermarked gas tank.

[YAMAKAZE]

Kind of looks like somebody's 1st ammendment rights might have been somewhat quashed.....

To Trash a companies products without merrit is one thing, but to bring an issue to a forum and say this is what I had and this is something that happened to me is a different story. I didn't see anything that was slanderious about what the poster had to say. As a matter of fact I replaced my right side petcock, just because of the post and have slept better knowing that the fuel line is much further away from the header.... And the manufacturer sent it to me for free.

To each his own...

Bonzai ?

[GrahamO]

All first ammendment rights have been upheld. My idea was simply to share my weekend story and it got a little out of hand ("Grab your torch and pitchfork, let's kill 'em").

I think we can all learn a few lessons from my experience:

(1) As we all know, things break on motorcycles all the time. The materials don't exist strong enough to withstand the abuse we put our bikes through. That said, never try to repair a tank, no matter who tells you that it will work. Plastiweld, JBWeld, epoxy, glue stick, whatever... doesn't work. Talk to the retailer or manufacturer about replacing the tank or buy a new one. If you get any type of gas leak in the middle of a ride, push the damn thing home.

(2) Consider insurance, both for the loss of the bike in the event of theft or fire, but also for property damage. If that fire had been in late August (dry season) it would still be burning.

For the curious:

The leak had nothing to do with the heat shield, petcock, melting tank, etc. Heat did not damage the tank or hoses. At least, not until the fire was hot enough to melt the swing arm into two pieces.

For what it's worth, I would not have a problem buying the same tank again.

[oldbones]

Well I guess that pretty much sums that up, doesn't it? Oh, nice pic by the way...

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[Rich_in_Orlando]

Kind of looks like somebody's 1st ammendment rights might have been somewhat quashed.....

To Trash a companies products without merrit is one thing, but to bring an issue to a forum and say this is what I had and this is something that happened to me is a different story. I didn't see anything that was slanderious about what the poster had to say. As a matter of fact I replaced my right side petcock, just because of the post and have slept better knowing that the fuel line is much further away from the header.... And the manufacturer sent it to me for free.

To each his own...

Bonzai ?

This has been on my mind regarding other things in life lately and I thought I'd put in my 2 cents when I saw this post:

There are no "first amendment" issues on TT. This ain't a gov't website. Nobody has a "right" to say anything here-everything posted on this website is allowed by the good graces of the owners.

[John_Lorenz]

One thing I have learned here regarding the 1st amendment and freedom of speech, Is it only applies to those that want to enforce it.

Now I am not saying anything or pointing it to anyone, everyone who has followed me here has read some of my "freedom of speech escapades" will leave that one lay, But I see a differance in Freedom of Speech and Legally keeping TT free form any type of frivolous lawsuit for slander or loss of income.

In the situation that was handed to TT from the original post, this was a hot bed.

IMO (Only) I thought it to be a bit slandering to the company especially coming from a 2nd hand source.

Do I think it could have been worded differently YES.

Do I think it should have been dealt with by Management (aka TT) Yes

But what I think don't matter what matters is keeping TT free from any liability or presumed liability of any sort.

Sometime its best to just keep quite ? regardless on our feelings

[GrahamO]

IMO (Only) I thought it to be a bit slandering to the company especially coming from a 2nd hand source.

Slander: A false and malicious statement or report about someone.

(1) The report may have been hinting towards malicious, but it was certainly not false.

(2) The semi-malicious report was not about the tank manufacturer, just a third-party bonehead (Is 'bonehead' malicious?). I'd buy the tank again.

(3) TT wouldn't be liable anyway. The report was not TT's, it was mine.