Featured Gas Tank Mod

This is something I’ve been meaning to get around to for quite some time. I’ve always thought the plastic cover on the lower part of the gas tank was cheap and tacky looking at best. It also doesn’t fit that great at the front end that wraps around the tank, as it sticks out a little. I’ve thought of replacing it with a carbon fibre one, but it still isn’t going to fit properly, nor does it serve any purpose. My plan was to remove the cheap looking cover and put some tank grip material in its place. But it was not that easy. After removing the cover I saw that there is a button attached to the tank, that is there to hold the front of the cover onto the tank. I tried to grind it away with a dremel, but it was excruciatingly slow and probably dangerous with all the sparks flying everywhere LOL. So I decided to purchase some mini hacksaw blades and get behind the button and cut it off. I grabbed the blade with my hands at both ends and started sawing away at it. Well, with about 45 minutes of cutting per side, I was able to cut said button off the tank. I then used the dremel to quickly clean up the cut to make sure it was flush with the tank. I’m so glad I finally got around to this job, as I’m very happy with the results. I’ve included some photos of the process as well as before and after shots. Let me know what you think.

 

Thanks Mark. I thought of having it have the same pattern as the original plastic piece as well, but decided to follow the lines of the grip that’ll be put on the side of the tag eventually. Couldn’t find R&G traction grip here in North America, so I had to order from the UK recently. Once I have that then I can complete the job. I took the old stuff off at as it was falling apart.

 

Thanks Sandi.

 

Thanks. I wanted those cheap looking covers off and would have done almost anything to remove them lol. Honestly, it’s probably my favourite mod I’ve done, as it really cleans up the tank lines.

 

OK finally got the other tank grips on now it’s complete.