probably best to act sooner than later. I'd hate for spring to arrive and me with no tank. Don't really want a green one but I'll check it out after the new year.

 

mooredan, 3rd one what?? I know you sent the first one back, but did i miss something? Are you on your third clarke tank?? definately sounds like there may be some issues ongoing, heck it wasn't that long ago they came out with the tank in the first place. I think the mechanical designer should break open a new set of calipers and update some dimensions on the drawings. Maybe it will be spot on later in 2008, but until it establishes a constant solid reputation, it doesn't even make the list for me. In fact, it's a shame they started off as shaky as they did, it's hard to regain respect of your customers after putting a sub-standard product out there. IMO

deej, what were those gas cans u carried made of? Math: stock tank = 1.8 gallon, clarke tank=3.2 gallon, so3.2-1.8=1.4 gallon in the difference...I think carrying a couple of extra litres on any long rides may be worth it until clarke perfects the tank...bad things such as wearing a hole through the bottom of the tank don't seem to happen at convenient times.

 

Whoa!What's with thehyperbole? By and large their have been very few reported leaks and those where only from the first batch.

Since then, Clarke has changed their process and I have heard nary a peep beside minor fitment issues. A 'hole in the bottom of the tank?'...sheesh c'mon isn't that a bit of a reach?

Dan's problems came from the first batch and I think that is where the catalyst for change over on Clarke's end started. Relaaaaaax!

 

Leaks from the first batch (so far) but they should have been a little more up front about why these leaked and what exactly they did to fix the problem...maybe even recalled all the first batch IMO

And as long as thereare fitment issues, I am sure there will be more leaks with these tanks..these are dual sport bikes on and off-road, someriderswill ride these fairly aggressively off-road and I am sure the bouncing and rubbing of that brass fitting against the frame will work it loose in the plastic and cause the tank to leak..it's simply a matter of time.

I am just saying IMO, for something you are paying approximately $200 bucks for it should fit like a glove ...and I personally would wait for the manufacturer to fix these issues soI don't have them. Afterall, it's their product and their reputation.

yeahI know the other tanks may have more tweaking and modifications to make them work and I am not saying they are any better, but if you are going to take the time to design and manufacture a product and put it out there against the competition, then you should at least make it top notch..there shouldn't befittings hitting the frame or cross memberand ifthe intent wasto allow the use of the factory rad shrouds, then they should fitjust as well as they did from the factory..no gaps, and lastly the seat should secure to the tank as it did on the OEM tank (I know some people have made it work, but this should be as clear as a bell, maybe this was simply poor instructions with the tank)

I hope i didn't hurt anyones feelings by expressing my own..I'm sorry if i did, it was not my intention.

 

Do what? Where did you get that idea? I've think I've read just about all the posts on the Clarke tanks and haven't heard of this one.

What can you tell me about this "wearing a hole through the bottom" issue? I'd like to know more. Thanks!

 

The brass fitting does not touch the frame on my bike. However, the rubber fuel hose that fits over the brass fitting is very close to a tab on the frame (less than a millimeter). Since the tank has virtually no play in it's mounts, I'm not too worried about it making contact with the brass fitting. I would like to add a washer or two under the tail of the tank's lower end to eliminate any chance of the tab making contact with the fuel hose.

As for the gap between the seat and shrouds: If the tank is bigger, then the shrouds would naturally have to be displaced outward. Seems like a given to me. Tank volume has increased; shrouds attach to exterior of tank; therefore shrouds move out.

I agree with you that this is not cool that I would have to add washers to adjust the fit, but I really need the extra fuel, so I'm going to deal with it. I can't explain why they would have allowed the tank to come out like this, but I do happen to be a designer and drafter myself for a non-motorcyle related OEM, and I can say that product development is a complicated process, with many variables in play, demanding schedules, time crunches, overworked design staff (not enough time allowed to perfect a design) cost issues (those Clarke tank molds can't be cheap, they're a small company and may be stuck with the only mold they now have for the KLX, and may not be cost effective to make another), also mistakes and human error are always lurking in other places such as dimension errors, misinterpereted tolerances, tooling errors (the mold again) don't forget, plastic shrinks as it cools after being molded (another place for design errors to pop up). I bet somewhere behind the KLX tank design is a designer who knows about all these gripes we have, and is bugged that his tank didn't come out perfect, no doubt put alot of time and sweat into getting a good fit, but has had to move on to new projects, and isn't sure when (or ever) he'll get a chance to get back to this tank, since new bikes are always coming that need tanks, and there's probably not enough resources available to take time to back and tweak old designs.

 

I too worked in a R&D environment (also non motorcycle related) and have alsoexperienced all of the above and I know what you mean. I do not believe that Clarke would have run out and committed topurchasing a mold before making sure the end product fit like a glove. I know they could have made a wood mold to run the first revision, or at least one batch to be sure it turned out okay...plus someone had to test fit the first ones and sayeither great or no we should adjust this or that.

I don't know what other products Clarke is involved in, but I do feel that if they are a reputable company (and I feel they are as they seem quick to respond to those who have had and are having problems), they will indeed commit the time and effort intotweaking and perfecting the tank. I certainly hope they do asI want one myself, but I want it to be a great fit with no interfence issues at all. I will say they are on the right track IMO (using the stock shrouds, no major messing around) and basically it's just a matter of these little things that I don't want to deal with or worry about while out on the trail...plusI want my bike to look good. I would like to see some more pics of these fitment issues..maybe I am blowing them way out of proportion, but if it bothers the ones who purchased the tank enough for them to express it on the forum, thenI feel it is something that Clarke needs to address.

Anyway thanks for listening to my half....I feel content now.

 

I'm now on my third Clarke tank. The first two had the slow leak.

Read about it here:

https://www.kawasakiforums.com/m_159168/tm.htm

https://www.kawasakiforums.com/m_188736/tm.htm

 

Thanks mooredan, it was nice to reread those and get re-aquainted with the history of the tanks..hopefully hatever they changed in their process fixed the leak, now if only that brass fitting hitting the frame issue would get rectified, I wouldseriously consider one.

 

As far as I know, no one has reported a leak caused by the brass fitting hitting the frame. However, it does seem possible. It hasn't worried me enough to raise the rear end of the tank. ...or grind the frame.