I was preparing the bike for tomorrows ride when i noticed that the handle bar mount was way closer than it was before.

Before (when first installed)


Now


WTF

I checked the mounting was still solid and that nothing had come loose.
Nope.
I tried to push it back as far as I could before retightening but it made little.

Anyone else experience this?
I vaguely remember someone else having a similar problem.

 

Mine has the same mark and has minimal clearance when the handlebars are turned like yours. I suspect that when I have layed it over, the tank shifted enough to contact the handlebars.

 

Mine actually makes contact on one side. The other is very close.

I have no explanation as to why yours has moved though.

 

Mine has the same marks on both sides. Never got worse, just tiny little dents. I'll never buy a Clarke product again. I am happy they made the tank for the 250, but the fit looks like it was made by a 3 year old.

 

Simple fix!
Cut some 5mm plate alloy, sized just large enough to fit the steering "full lock" stops on the frame. Apply to the frame with some silicone. Hey presto! Some insurance for your tank if you put her down on the bars at full lock.

 

To be honest, I have never been all that happy about the fit of the Clarke tank.
It's been talked about on other threads but it's as if the tank was modeled on a different bike.

I ended up fabricating a replacement washer to help secure the front of the seat to the tank.
The one supplied was totally inadequate.
Apart from the fact that the seat was very difficult to fit properly with their washer, but the seat would pop out during a ride!!
And given how often the seat needs to come off, clean air filter etc, it's IMHO not good enough.



This washer is longer so it grips better, and the bent lip means that it is much easier to fit the seat properly.

Oh, did I mention that I had to widen the slot on the seat clip as the spacer supplied was wider that the stock slot.

But I guess the tank works.
it keeps the fuel off the floor.

 

I modded a washer for the seat clip as well. I also made a new spacer for under it that was higher and had a smaller dia. so I didn't have to widen the seat tab.

Next bike I own that needs a larger tank I will probably be using IMS.