SV Tank Overflow tubes

Next time you open your SV fuel tank, look on the Port side under it at the overflow drain hose opening. Verify that it has not broken at the weld.

The purpose of this tube is to route water(rain) and overflowing fuel down the tube, out the back of the tank, and down the rubber tubing onto the street or your belly pan.

When the weld breaks, this allows the fuel inside the tank to spill forward under heavy braking.(Especially when you have a full tank.)

This issue is what cost Team Charm a position or two during the Summit Point 6-Hr Endurance race. Last night, I found that one of my sprint tanks has the same.

You can either cut the tank in half and reinforce the welds, or epoxy/silicone over the hole.

 

Cool! Thanks's for the info.
Any idea on what specifically did theirs (and yours) in?
Rough handling? Does it ding something? Wreck?

 

Re: Re: SV Tank Overflow tubes

I rode mine at Nelsons and Summit, so "Rough handling" counts. They used theirs at 7 endurance races and a handful of sprints before it gave up.

I've heard of this happening to at least one other person, so I don't think there's any one cause, except craftsmanship.

If you don't fill the tank, it shouldn't be a problem, as the fuel can't splash out from down low, but fill that sucker up and brake hard...

 

Re: Re: SV Tank Overflow tubes

Seems like most do it eventually, 'tho I'm sure crashes don't help (mine had been down 4 times before the tube broke).

 

i noticed mine was broken, after the rattle. Then gas leaking from tank after my fall two weeks at Nelson's in practice? I was afraid the epoxy/silicone would mess up with some high octane gas in the tank? thanks,

pete

 

Easy Fix

We've had both of our endurance tanks fail, apparantly due to vibration and poor welds. Take a Dremel tool and get fresh bare metal on the top of the tube and for 3 or 4 mm around. Braze the tube to the tank. If you're careful with the flame you wont even have to repaint. We fixed both of ours this way and each bike has at least 12 hours on it since. I called Suzuki and was told that they were unaware of any problem! No interest in the potential danger. What a shitty company.

 

Suzuki makes awesome bikes, but they do act like thier shit don't stink on a design failure. The TLS's break frames, not at a weld either. The law in ohio helps though.....lemon law.

I'll fix mine as described and thanks again guys.....

469 owwwwwww

 

Anyone tried the "cut your tank in half" route? Just curious...

 

Re: Re: SV Tank Overflow tubes

The Tight Squeeze "Exxon Valdez" supertank has been apart twice. Had I known the weld state then, I could've done something about it.

So, what is brazing and how do I do it with tools from Wal-mart/Home Depot?

 

Re: Easy Fix

I know one racer that got an entire replacement tank from them, so Suzuki knows, don't let them fool you.

Personally, I think a recall is in order, but they can just tell us to stick it since we race 'em.

 

Re: Re: Re: SV Tank Overflow tubes

I used to silver solder with a low heat flame from an oxy/ace setup... I wonder if a propane torch will get hot enough for silver solder?

 

Re: Re: Re: SV Tank Overflow tubes

Brazing is using an acetalyn (sp) torch and brass sticks to do the "welding". Usually you can't do it with cheap home tools. You must have the proper set-up and tips for your torch.

 

It happens on the TLR's & most all of the ones I know about are streetbikes. Never had a problem with the (2) SV650's I have had.

 

new fuel injected Sv650

hey Steve have you seen the new SV650 , new frame, fuel injection, aluminum subframe,etc... Sweet. I cant wait

 

Hmmm.... That may be what let water into mine a month or so ago. I'll have to check that out.

 

If this were a footpeg problem or other non-flammable widget, I'd agree with you, but it's not. It's fuel. If a bike goes down(street or track) and fuel starts dribbling out, it's a safety issue. Agree?

Other tanks on other bikes(be it this or other manufacturer) don't have this problem, so that's my basis. That, and the thought of my bike exploding.

 

Re: new fuel injected Sv650

Yeah, I'm torn. Do I sell all of my current bikes and go for the latest, or just flog the hell out of what I've got?

If the new one has ram air, then I'll throw in the towel and start fresh.