Switched gas tank

[Mikecocos]

I did some digging and have determined that the 2014 V7 stone that I purchased new from my local MG dealer was originally a bike with a white gas tank. It was sold to me with a black tank. Thinking back to when I bought the bike, the dealer tried to get me to buy a bike with a white tank (he had one in stock but not a black one). A couple of days later he called and told me he had a black bike. I am assuming he found a black tank and switched tanks. He never told me he did this.

I recently discovered a significant amount of rust in the tank, which I am having trouble explaining. My bike is relatively new (2014) and I gas-up with 91 or 93 premium grade fuel (mentioned only because these grades are supposed to include less ethanol). I am wondering if the switched tank is older or was damaged somehow, leading to rust build up in the tank.

Does anyone know if there is a VIN on the gas tank so I can determine the model year of the bike that the tank is sourced from? Thinking about it a bit more I doubt there is a VIN on the tank, but am asking the question in case I am wrong...

Cheers,

Mike

[fotoguzzi]

I'd go back to the dealer and ask for an explanation and replacement.

[rocker59]

There is no VIN on the fuel tank.

It can't be older than 2013 if it is a V7 Stone tank.

You have no basis for your claim.

It's his word against yours.



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[Chuck in Indiana]

I recently discovered a significant amount of rust in the tank, which I am having trouble explaining. My bike is relatively new (2014) and I gas-up with 91 or 93 premium grade fuel (mentioned only because these grades are supposed to include less ethanol).

I don't know where you're from.. but around here ethanol is used as an octane enhancer. There is one place that I can get non ethanol fuel, at a premium of around a dollar a gallon. I do that.
Rusty tanks on Guzzis is nothing new, though.

[Sasquatch Jim]

 I put my new tank on today along with some new hardware.  She fired with 1/2 second of starter button.
 Not bad for an 09.  Rode about 7 miles to make sure everything is okay.

[John Ulrich]

That's a thinking dealer.  Getting the customer what they want....a black tank!

[Turin]

what color are the fenders?

[Kiwi_Roy]

Does the V7 have a recessed tank filler?

[Kev m]

There is no VIN on the fuel tank.

It can't be older than 2013 if it is a V7 Stone tank.

You have no basis for your claim.

It's his word against yours.



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Well, it could be a 2012 V7 tank with the Stone badges. I believe the Racer had a black metal tank that year, and there was a V7C with a black tank as well.

But otherwise yes, this.


Turin - great question. I THINK in 13 & 14 the Stone fenders still matched the paint. So if it was changed the fenders would have to be switched too. But I could be remembering wrong.

Kiwi - if I'm understanding you correctly, yes.

Ethanol - yeah don't know why you would find "less" ethanol in 91 or 93. I mean if it's sold as E10 it can have ethanol up to 10% and I've never seen a fuel company advertise that their "premium" grades of E10 have less ethanol than their "regular" grades.

< shrugs >

[sib]

Ethanol does not inevitably have to lead to rust.  I've had 2 metal-tanked V7's, a '13 and a '16, I put 12,000 mi on the '13 over 2 years, and there's now 17,000 mi on the '16 over 2+ years.  I've used nothing except "up to 10%" ethanol, 89 octane fuel, and there wasn't/isn't even a trace of rust in either tank.  I have only one bike at a time and I ride it often, so it doesn't sit around very long.  Also, I haven't tampered with the evaporative emissions control systems, so there has been minimal intrusion of atmospheric water vapor into the tanks.  I think this is an important factor where I live, because the summers can get very humid (although not as humid as the deep south, I sure).

IIRC, the (US) '13 and '14 V7 Stones all had matching-colored fuel tanks and fenders, white or matte black.

[rocker59]

Well, it could be a 2012 V7 tank with the Stone badges. I believe the Racer had a black metal tank that year, and there was a V7C with a black tank as well.

But otherwise yes, this.

 

Yes.  2012 Racer and Special had metal tanks, but they would be gloss black.  Stone had matte fenders, so unless fenders were also changed, it would be obvious. 

If the rust is bad, and the bike is still under warranty, it's just a simple warranty claim to replace the tank.

[Kev m]

Yes.  2012 Racer and Special had metal tanks, but they would be gloss black.  Stone had matte fenders, so unless fenders were also changed, it would be obvious. 

If the rust is bad, and the bike is still under warranty, it's just a simple warranty claim to replace the tank.

Good point.