Hey, Im not sure where to post this but hopefully you guys wont mind me putting it here??? I recently bought a second hand long range acerbis tank for the bike. When I recived it I noticed that the previous owner of the tank had covered the two petrol taps inside and out in some kind of silicon meaning I couldnt use the reserve (whats the point in having the tank if you cant use the reserve?!?!?!?). So I bought some new taps, and it was once I removed the old taps that I realised why he had done this....rather then having a round hole for the tap to slip into as normal, alowing the small washer to do its job and stop the petrol leaking, someone has bored a bit away from each hole making them oval! So the small washer no longer works and the tank leaks. I have cut an old innertube to fit between the petrol tap and the tank which has stoped the leak, and its been fine for the past 2 or 3 weeks, but I think that the petrol will eventually rot through the innertube patch and start leaking, and the last thing I want is to be in the middle of nowhere when this happens. I havnt been able to find any washers wide enough to cover the extra bit of hole. So my question is...is there any kind of silicon or something that I can patch this hole with?I cant use fiber glass or anything like that as remember its an enlargment of the hole that the tube on the petrol tap gos through. How long do you think it will be untill the inner tube starts to rot? Im in the uk so if you know of any products or shops here a link would be great. Thanks alot, hope someone can help. Cheers!!!

can't you use a fat "O" ring to take up the space? I think washers will be a must. There is no stuff like silicone that will hold up that I am aware of! Rubber is your best bet here. Dont forget about a rubber hose that will fit over the spout in the tank. Cut it a bit longer than the space it will take up to seal, then when tighned it will seal.

Be careful of the term "rubber" there are many differing types and some stand petrol very well and some don't. I think nitrile is good with petrol but I might be remembering wrong; it's about 15years since I was into rubber

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Petrol dissolves silicone quickly. Perhaps you could find an old intake manifold rubber and cut something to size. It will definitely be the right material.

Another idea: Acrebis tanks are made from Nylon. You may be able to 'weld' the hole back carefully. Perhaps heat glue will do the job, I don't know the stuff.

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Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10

Hi There, I would consider looking for two new petrol taps - I know they were all similar but it would be worth asking at a decent bike spare shop if they do taps that require a slightly larger hole thereby allowing you to remake a perfect fit with the correct gasket, and not fill the gap with something that might dissolve in petrol whilst you are on the motorway!
Good Luck Mike

Could you have some aluminum bits turned up that would fit indise the current or cleaned up holes to allow the tap to be re used?
Photos are good!
Thx Steve