Very large bubble forming on Norge tank

[canuguzzi]

Its taken about 18 months, starting as a smaller bump that was almost imperceptible. Now the area of deformity is about 3 inches in length following the top most curve on the right side (when seated), the top if the side dish out section.

It seems that once the bubbles or deformities start, they will only get worse over time.

On the initial claim, Moto Guzzi said that fuel tank deformities were not a safety issue and denied the claim. This went from a rather small bubble to a much larger deformity since the Christmas day ride. The temps got into the mid 20s here, nothing compared to what is seen back east , north or the Midwest, perhaps that caused the problem to accelerate.

Nevertheless, now they'll get another claim. I think they will see the light.

[guzzisteve]

We fixed one on a 15 model Norge, better get it in before you're SOL

[canuguzzi]

We fixed one on a 15 model Norge, better get it in before you're SOL

Yeah, I was rather put off when they denied the first claim knowing it would eventually get worse. Nothing like hoping the bike goes out if warranty I guess.

Hopefully, they have fuel tanks of a new material or the problem could resurface later.

[cloudbase]

I had the same thing happen on my '07 B1100.  Guzzi covered it under warranty without problems.

[blackcat]

My 07 Norge never got a bubble but it got generally fatter and fatter, to the point that the rear bolt cannot be used to anchor the tank. Visually, it is as new.  A few years ago I purchased a brand new tank off eBay for something like $150 bucks if my memory is correct so I will eventually move to that tank.

Good luck with your claim.

[canuguzzi]

I think the problem with the initial claim was that the bubble would not show up in pictures very well. The tank is white and getting contrast was difficult. The dealer took the pics but the wording from MG was " ...not a safety concern..."

Now as you walk up to the bike you can see it. I will put a piece of black fabric as a backdrop so that in the picture, the deformity will be rather evident. That should do it.

[calfruit]

My 2012 Norge's tank swelled to where the base of the handlebars hit the tank when turning to the right.
Moto Guzzi replaced the tank, with out question.  My dealer had the new tank sealed prior to installation. To the best of my knowledge, the new tank was no different to the old

[ohiorider]

Strange but true.

Shortly after taking delivery of my 2008 1200 Sport in April of 2010, the tank began developing a series of small bumps that were growing larger above the plastic chrome 'wings.'  With a lot of help from a friendly dealer, and lots of pics, I was able to acquire a new tank under warranty .  However, in the meantime, I re-plumbed the hoses to and from the charcoal canister, and to my amazement, the bumps grew smaller, to the point that they no longer show.  The re-plumbing was essentially how the tank is vented in the rest of the world, aside from the USA, where it is plumbed to meet California CARB standards.  And I have no issue with these standards when they are properly implemented.  Obviously, the venting on my Sport had issues.

My particular bike obviously had some sort of blockage between the tank and the canister (probably the valve that made the nasty sounds when hot.) 

Anyway, ethanol and all, the original tank is still functioning after 6 riding seasons and 62k miles.  And no bumps.

She's a keeper!

Bob

[lucian]

My 09 Griso tank was replaced under warranty by p.o. I noticed a tiny bubble on top just in front of the seat. Hopefully the whole tank will swell to the point where it will hold 8 gallons. 

[Sasquatch Jim]

  Wow!  Motorcycle cancer!

[56Pan]

This problem seems very common with MG tanks.  Does anyone know for sure if it's the ethanol in gasoline that's causing this?  I use this website, http://www.pure-gas.org/ , to get ethanol free for an older generator and my tractor.  If it's the ethanol causing these tank bubbles, I'll add the Norge to those two.  Anybody know?

[lucian]

I've read that some Ducati models had the same issue.  Italian plastic?

[bad Chad]

So strange how this works.  I have never had a issue with tank bubbling, and in Chicagoland, my Breva lives on 99.7% of its life,  with 10% ethanol fill ups.  Perhaps some areas actually get over 10% ethanol, despite that being illegal?   Why else would some tanks have issue and others not?

How easy would it be for a nefarious gas distributor to cut conners, and sell e15, as e10, and pocket the savings???

[jackson]

I've read that some Ducati models had the same issue.  Italian plastic?

Yes, Ducati had a huge problem.  The same mfg. who made the problem Ducati tanks also made the MG tanks. 
As I understand it, due to the evaporative canister systems that are placed on the models that are sold in North America (so companies can build only one model for all 50 states rather than one for CA and the rest, without the canister)........the combination of ethanol and poor tank venting due to the poorly designed evap system is the problem. 

[canuguzzi]

Good idea for the sealing, sure couldn't hurt. I'll have the dealer seal the tank prior to install, gives them a service bone, they always treat me well. I'll let them see the tank tomorrow, cool ride in to the city but no rain.

Wife is going on the back so I thought I'd surprise her with a heated vest and pants. Christmas is over except here where it runs all year long.

[guzziks]

My 07 Norge and 06 Ducati Paul Smart had tanks replaced under warranty.  The  Norge still has the canister, while the Ducati did not when the tank swelled.  Now, both are on a diet of non-ethanol and no problem with either. 

After reading too much stuff on different forums, I think the ethanol is the culprit.

By the way, Ducati had a class action lawsuit against them requiring replace all effected ranks, whether in warranty or not.  But for Ducati it was kinda of a good thing because after a certain period of time they would no longer have to replace them, negating any sort of evergreen warranty.

[clubman]

My '09 V7C tank is bubble free so far (knock on wood), but it has grown lengthwise so that mounting bolt will not line up with original hole. Has never had non-alchohol gas in it. Pretty much same thing with my '04 Triumph ST. Both engines seem to love this crappy fuel, but the tanks, not so much.

[canuguzzi]

While ethanol has been blamed (right or wrong depending on who says what) it has been in use for a very long time, long enough for anyone making fuel tanks to come up with a solution. Ethanol isn't going away anytime soon and fewer and fewer places have non-ethanol fuels.

California with the most motorcycles of any state is an ethanol fuel state, no way around it even if you manage to get non-eth fuel at a marina, out on the road it isn't an option.

I think some makers use plastic fuel tanks and some sort of cover over them so the fuel tank itself can do what it wants. That seems like a good idea although how practical it is for bikes like a Norge I'm not sure.

I've heard of good results with getting the tank sealed so that in the future for the replacement tank.

[Cool Runnings]

Why did I purchase a MG? 

[canuguzzi]

Its a test of wills.

Actually, the engine is marvelous. It propels the Norge fast enough to short shift it and things that look far away rush up very quickly. The Norge handles really well, puts down miles on long trips without any effort and has great looks.

Fuel tank swelling isn't a MG thing but its pretty strange that as an industry, some common plastic formula couldn't be developed to deal with such things. Why one tank will deform but another does not is perplexing.

The whole ethanol thing is another issue but in cars the fuel tank doesn't serve an aesthetic purpose as it does on a motorcycle. I imagine that car fuel tanks that are plastic deform as well but no one notices it or cares, if it did the entire problem would have been fixed a long time ago.

[Sasquatch Jim]

Quote; Wife is going on the back so I thought I'd surprise her with a heated vest and pants. Christmas is over except here where it runs all year long

  So you are giving her hot pants?

[canuguzzi]

It depends on how you look at it. Giving is one of the best ways to receiving. She's so light I don't even need to change the damping but and gets cold even with moderate temps. If I want a cool weather riding partner, gotta do something.

[Matteo]

One day in a customs line going into the Yukon I noticed a Triumph Tiger and a BMW GS  with huge bubbles on their tanks, don't know where they got their gas. I never got one on my Norge or V11S. Cannisters removed on both.

[rocker59]

Why did I purchase a MG? 

If you have to ask....

[Cool Runnings]

Will see how she holds up this summer, if problematic, she goes bye bye.

Never owned a MG, always jap bikes with ZERO problems. 

[DCWCALI]

NP as I remember you're a NORCAL guy.  Do you think this is a CALI gas thing? 

[kris]

I had a large bubble on my tank that was replaced under warranty.  Does anyone know if the cause is ethanol or the charcoal canister or maybe both?

[Toystoretom]

The girl who lives next door filled her car with 10% ethanol gas and two days later became pregnant.

[canuguzzi]

I had a large bubble on my tank that was replaced under warranty.  Does anyone know if the cause is ethanol or the charcoal canister or maybe both?

The cause is known, the solution is known, the reason the solution isn't implemented is unknown.

Ethanol in gas has been around a long time. Cheap materials and not making the fuel tanks so that they remain stable is the result.

[JeffOlson]

Bummer!

I hope that does not happen to my Norge tank.

Who would have thought that cheap plastic would deform when filled with gasoline? Apparently not Moto Guzzi.