i second this - what a sweet bike!!! looking back i would have added the tanks if i left again, this said the extra 9 liters i got on the small rear tank has been pretty handy and not messed with the weight so much!!
I think everyone has this expansion problem with these tanks? What kind of modifications have you done to improve reinstalling them after maintenance? Just installed tanks back on after maintenance, and rear and front holes were 1-2cm in wrong place. I forced bolts in, but afterwards I began to think, can that stress crack the front subframe or can it cause some other problems?
I've been reefing and muscleing them back into place each time fo almost a year, now. Maybe 5 or 6 times. I've had to replace one of the lower clip-nuts, but that's been the worst of it.
If you are in a climate that has a "winter maintenance season", try taking the tanks off, emptying them completely (as in, bone dry), and let them sit as long as you can. The tanks should shrink back down some. It might also help to add some type of fuel additive that absorbs water on a regular basis - like stuff meant for boats. If it's like every other plastic tank, it's likely the water collected in the ethanol that gets fused into the tank material and causes it to swell. If allowed to dry completely, it shrinks back down. I would imagine that different plastic compounds are affected to a different degree also. If you have non-ethanol available to you, use it, and those of us who don't have it can be jealous.
I am certain the that tanks don't "swell" as much as we think. The reason for them being difficult to get on is that the method of mounting them creates the issues. I have written up a report that makes them way easier to get back on. No straps, jacks or real sweat. FYI, Getting the Safari Aquiline tanks on with little effort
My black set are "SUPPOSED" to be drop-shipping from Aqualine tomorrow (well, it's already the 4th in Australia... wonder if they left?). Can't wait to get 'em on my bike.
CJ will send me a tracking# as soon as he gets it... and I'll feel much less itchy once I have it. You know what they say: "If you have to ask..." Here's a link to them on CJ's site... <a href="http://www.dualsportwarehouse.com/AQUALINE-SAFARI-TANK-KTM-990-ADVENTURE-INCL-SHIPPING-SFKT-990ADV.htm" target="_new">Aqualine Safari Tanks ~ KTM 990</a>
Filled mine up today after 2 weeks of commuting through Charlotte. 350 miles and 11 gallons. Not bad for 10 days of stop and go. Man I love these things.
I was at the gas station this evening..a guy was there on a Buell and another on a Magna. "We have the v-twin spectrum covered" I said... "sport bike, cruiser, and offroad"... They looked at me like I had two heads... One guy says "what is that thing? some sort of mad max bike?" and then the other guy exclaimed "HOLY SHIT he just put $54 in gas in it!" to which I replied.. "Yeah.. it wasn't empty".
Sorry to ask such a profane question, but where on earth is the second exhaust? This tube should be a Great addon! Cheers!!!
Now THAT is funny. I get TONS of looks and questions as well but my bike is somewhat stock. Maybe that's why?
... Question ... These tanks Expand and you Can-Not paint them .............. Right? A Thought ... Wrap a tank with large Carbon Fiber sheets ... On the back side only wrap inboard from the outside edge 3 inches, leaving the majority of the back plastic exposed. (Which will allow any of the gasses that cause bubbling to escape) The gasses would eventually separate the bond on the front but even if all the original bond was lost ... Everything would still fit tightly as it is a zero tolerance exoskeleton ... On the back side connect 4 of the outer edges with 2 long strips of CF 2 to 3 inches wide, crossing them effectively making a visible X on the back ... CF patchs on the back near exhaust and other hot spots. Now take it to a paint shop and have it painted / sanded / painted / sanded and finished with a eye popping glass finish. Paintable ... & ... No more bolt alignment problems (The tank skid protector could be included in the process) ... & ... (The clear tanks could have CF Open Sight Gauge's any where you wanted to put them) Does anybody think this might work ... or would this be a bank breaker ...
Welcome to the OC. We build a custom 2-1 collector and use Remus Silencers for long life. Works great and gives our bike more function. send me an email if you need more info.
Interesting... sounds spendy, but interesting. My Rally Raid fairing is at my buddy's body shop right now. It came with a HORRIBLE unfinished fiberglass finish on the back side, so he's doing a light resin coating on it, sanding, then painting. I wonder if a resin coat would adhere to the tanks? Might be a bit cheaper than CF? Like you, just thinking "out loud".