Safe Gas Tank Film protector ?

[thepeacebullgrunt]

I am looking for a film protector that stick well and is really safe ?
I heard that some use a glue that damage the paint coating...

Recently bought an RKA gas tank bag mainly because of its moderate size and its discreet look but would like to protect the gas tank from any scratches...as it is an old school harnessed attachment system bag.

PS: No ! this thread is not a joke neither related in any fashion
with another thread in which I had recently some spiritual considerations about.

[Mollygrubber]

PS: No ! this thread is not a joke neither related in any fashion
with another thread in which I had recently some spiritual considerations about.

Good thing you said that Frederic, colorful images were appearing in my mind!

Seriously, wouldn't plastic film be too slippery for your 'tank top adventures'?



www.thetankslapper.biz

[thepeacebullgrunt]

Welll ! you right I have to think about that...

But seriously speaking I just don't want RKA gas tank to scratch my paint...I am very bad at taking time to keep my bike clean unless it is about mirrors and lights. so ! I just need a plastic film that will indeed protect from bag pads meantimes not corrupt the paint underneath after an extended period of time.

I found this company in Burbank CA http://www.racesignspecialists.com/carcare/index.htm they can cut custom pieces for me but I am not sure if their film glue might not damage the paint or not.

If anyone know a good alternative please feel free to share.

Ouuups zorry I did not see the tankslapper link

[Lost Rider]

But seriously speaking I just don't want RKA gas tank to scratch my paint...I am very bad at taking time to keep my bike clean unless it is about mirrors and lights. so ! I just need a plastic film that will indeed protect from bag pads meantimes not corrupt the paint underneath after an extended period of time.

\

I like my scratches on the tank, most of them have a good story... but if I cared about protecting it I would look into installing some pieces of invisible shield in key places.
It's very flexible and would be easy to install on a tank.
I use this film on the rest of my electro gadgetry equipment... MacBook Pro, GPS, DSLR, iPod, etc.
Invisible shield by
http://www.zagg.com

If it's good enough for the US military on helicopter blades, it's good enough for me.

[JimS]

Try TheTankslappers.biz. You can get kits and I heard you can also get it in bulk.
Jim

[thepeacebullgrunt]

Thanks Chitown ! It might do the trick for small patches like around/under the bag buckles but there is a huge area around the gas tank lock up to handlebar almost that is in contact with the gas tank which is the bottom of the bag itself and I don't know well how to protect this area unless I ask for a custom design.

You right anyway there is always a story behind any scratches and I don't mind that too much...the only thing I don't like are scratches caused day after day by "engineering disregard" or laziness. http://www.rka-luggage.com/A02%20Tankba ... Sheet.html

Well I don't know...
I am going to talk with that guy in Burbank and see what he can do.

Is anyone know something about the Tank protector kit from twistedthrotle ? ->http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/pr ... /2124/332/

Thanks for the Tankslapper link ! it wasn't working before....

[deilenberger]

Ferde,

Looks like TankSlapper offers two films.. one is a non-adhesive film that sticks by "cling" - the other is a 3M clear film with adhesive.

I have both (not from TankSlapper - from other sources..) Both work. I used the 3M clear adhesive film under my RKA bag toward the front of the bike where the front straps tend to pull it down on the finish, and I started to see some scuffing (easily polished out if as I am - you have the right magic goo and a Porter-Cable pro polisher..) I used the adhesive for several reasons: (1) I didn't want it coming off - I see no reason for me to take it off since I always have the tank bag on the bike. (2) It sticks better to the curve of the tank.

I've used the cling film on spots which I want to protect, but may have to remove or move the film.. I have several pieces on the side-panels of the bike where my elastic shock cords pass over the side-panel on the way up to holding my FreedomAir cushion in place. These are easily removed/moved.. I remove them when I wax that part of the bike. They surprised me in having no tendency to come off at speed.. the cling really works.

3M film can be found cheaply in rolls on Ebay. You want the "10-mil" film. (0.010" thick).. it's commonly used for things like "Clear-Bra" on cars to protect against stone chips (I have it on my M3's front end.. no chips at 60k miles..)

For the stuff under the tank bag, I cut it myself so the sides are lined up with the middle of the innermost pin stripe. Done that way, it's actually difficult to see..

Good stuff - not expensive - works well, and the 3M adhesive will not damage your paint - it's made for this sort of use.

[Ashveratu]

Since you already have a tank bag this may not be a very cost effective option for you, but if you have seen or used one of these http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/pr ... /5108/594/ on a bike before, I highly recommend it. In stead of using one of thier tank bags, I use a pelican case that I mounted a bottom ring to. The pelican case only about $45 as opposed to $80 for thier cheapest tank bag. Again, just something else to consider if you do not like tank bags destroying your paint job and want something that is extremely easy to mount and remove in a couple seconds. I found a couple pics of Chitowns bike with the same "tank bag" that I have. I would like to point out that I got the idea on my own then discovered I was not the first. I think my pelican case is bigger though

[thepeacebullgrunt]

All right ! thanks to both of you guys... I couldn't find any tank bag that look discreet enough this is why I ordered the RKA but If I had find something different I might have use the Motech adapter...anything that worked with the Motech adapter looked so biker anyway

I may be too pessimist on this one but I wonder if the pelican case is not a bit too heavy for the attachment while stressed out by the wind and vibrations...just a thought...might work just fine if Chitown did it.

[Mollygrubber]

... and then we all clicked the link to Ed Hardy Clothing...

[thepeacebullgrunt]

Well....all right !
But its a conversation about film protectors
So I never heard that Ed Hardy designed condoms
but wait wait ! maybe they think about us for their next fashion show ? a fashion model gig or something like that... Foooorget abouuut It !

[Mollygrubber]

I may be too pessimist on this one but I wonder if the pelican case is not a bit too heavy for the attachment while stressed out by the wind and vibrations...just a thought...might work just fine if Chitown did it.

IIRC, Chitown's tank mount did break - but I don't think it was neccesarily designed to withstand the Dakar. Probably be fine for 'normal' use.

Peter

[thepeacebullgrunt]

Thanks Don for the thorough explanations ! And Peter for the insight...yes this mounting is really neat but I am not sure it will serve my plans that much.

[peckhammer]

I am looking for a film protector that stick well and is really safe ?

This is what I used: http://www.xpel.com/products/bulk.asp

I bought it in bulk, made my own patterns and applied it to my R1200R and my car. I basically looked at the kits for these vehicles, and used that as a guide for developing my own templates. I simplified some of these templates so they would be easier to install.

>--
Peckhammer