Carbon fibre repair?

AstroViking (Steve) · #1 26-09-2022, 11:38 AM

Hi all,

The petrol tank on my motorcycle is carbon fibre, and has developed a small crack near one of the mounting brackets (as near as I can tell).

Does anyone know of a reputable repair place (preferably in or near Melbourne) where I can drop it off? I've spent a good chunk of time this morning doing Internet searches, but without much success.

I'm not keen on doing it myself, as I have zero experience working with fibreglass and carbon fibre.

Many thanks,
V

xelasnave · #2 26-09-2022, 12:38 PM

it is easy and something good to be able to do....I expect you could buy a kit with matt, resin, hardener, gloves and a stick to stir it...

look at some videos on you tube...in no time at all you will be making lighter parts for your bike...mmm think of the possibilities.

alex

glend (Glen) · #3 26-09-2022, 01:48 PM

To be clear it is not fibreglass, and fibreglass iso resins are not compatible with carbon fibre materials, so do not buy fibreglass components. You can buy carbon fibre cloth and the necessary epoxy resins and hardeners which have to be mixed in precise ratios for maximum strength. You can probably get by using epoxy boat building resins, which can be bought at places like Whitworths boat shops.
Is the tank leaking, or does it just have a crack near the bracket. If it's just a bracket crack you can probably just use a good 2part epoxy glue which is compatible. Do not buy epoxy glues from Bunnings, as all of that cheap stuff will degrade when exposed to water. You can buy small epoxy glue (2 part) at places like BCF and Whitworths usually it will be Epiglue. That should work.

AstroViking (Steve) · #4 26-09-2022, 02:52 PM

Hi guys,

The tank is leaking petrol - a very slow weep, but enough to make a smell and to stain the parts of the bike frame it runs down. It also means I can't leave the bike with any useful amount of fuel in the tank.

As near as I can tell, the tank and fuel expanded one hot summer's day and the mounting bracket didn't have enough movement to allow for this. So the carbon fibre cracked somewhere near the bracket.

Murphy (of course) has dictated that this spot is in the least accessible corner of the tank, where no human fingers can reach, and not even a "camera on a bendy arm" could easily get to.

I've made some enquiries and been pointed to a place that's (by pure luck) about 5 minutes from home. So I'll be dropping in to them for a chat.

So let us see what the experts have to say...

Cheers,
V

Wilso · #5 26-09-2022, 07:10 PM

Hi Steve,
I’ve done a couple of small projects using carbon fibre, have used Methacrylate structural adhesive (vuduglu) with excellent results. Is available from hobby shops etc. Unsure about the compatibility with petroleum so you’ll need to research that one. Good luck!

AstroViking (Steve) · #6 26-09-2022, 09:55 PM

I spoke to the experts, and they won't touch petrol tanks because of the insurance liability issues - just not worth the risk to them.

So I've contacted the guy who made the tank in the first place (located in the UK - the whole story behind the tank is one long tale...) and am waiting on his reply.