Wanted- KTM gas tank

[jon]

I'm looking for a nice not yellowed gas tank for my 1979 KTM 420Mx. I was told a fiber glass KTM125mx tank was the why to go.I know many size tanks will fit this bike, are there any steel/aluminium tanks that will fill. New plastic and a yellow tank don't mix.Thanks

[454MRW]

Jon,
The frame cushions on the 79-81 frames allow for the 79-81 plastic tanks to slip tightly around them on either side to hold the tank firmly into place with a single retaining bolt at the rear just in front of the seat. The earlier model fiberglass tanks are not made to mount in this way, and probably won't work, and the later 82-up versions have a different front mounting system. The 79-81 plastic tanks all turn yellow from ultra violet sun exposure and reaction to gas from the inside of the tank, which usually causes the decals and any attemp to paint the tank to come loose easily. There are very few tanks for sale that are not yellowed and no easy way to remedy the situation that I know of, even though there has been some posts about a Can Am restorer that has had good luck with a painting process. Mike

Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 250'S

[jon]

Thanks Mike, I was told the first 1981 water-cooled KTM 125mx tank would work,don't know. I've heard of a product from Italy that seals the inside of plastic tanks so paint will stay.It was on the KTM 495 site, tank-gum it was called. I have a 1979 and 1984 KTM 420's. The 1984 tank is nice, so if I could seal it I could save it. The 420 had a drum front brake with up-side down forks in 1984 and is AHRMA legal. The 1979 420 is almost finshed,except the yellow tank. If I could add a 79-81 250 and 125 I'd be set.

[Larry Perkins]

I have a 1979 tank that has just been done per the instructions on the Can-Am site.  It looks good for a rider and is supposed to work.  It is white!  If you are interested in it e-mail me at [email protected] and I can send you pics.

Larry P

I was trying to find the Can Am site, anyone knows´if it has moved or if there are any other site?

Mats from Sweden

[chicagojerry]

here's the can am site
//www.classiccanam.com    [8D] chi jer

Thank you jerry!

Mats from Sweden