Technical Chat - Oil tank has sprung a leak !

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Oil tank has sprung a leak !

Printed From: rsvr.net Forums
Category: RSV / RSVR / FACTORY
Forum Name: Technical Chat
Forum Description: Any technical problems or useful advise for other owners, remember this is just advice posted here, if you make something go BANG in a big way don't take anyone to court about it.
URL: http://www.rsvr.net/forum_posts.asp?TID=29899
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 04:53
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.07 - https://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Oil tank has sprung a leak !

Posted By: Moto_b
Subject: Oil tank has sprung a leak !
Date Posted: 07 May 2023 at 16:18

Now I've got the RSV running again I was a little disappointed to see a tiny drop of Motul on the workshop floor, it took several days looking everywhere under the bike, strategically stuffing paper towels here and there to finally trace where the oil was coming from - which turned out to be the lower front mounting bracket on the tank, which, if I'm honest, was preferable to seeing my freshly fitted crank case gasket weeping oil!

The tank is stainless, I'm no metal worker, is there an easy DIY fix or is it off to search for a replacement?...

Replies:

Posted By: Spoonz
Date Posted: 07 May 2023 at 16:48

Not uncommon although it’s usually the back of the tank. Braze it or source another tank.

Posted By: 426hemi
Date Posted: 07 May 2023 at 17:43

As spoonz said it can be fixed but they are very thin, replacement stainless tanks are getting very rare and pricey now.

Posted By: Moto_b
Date Posted: 08 May 2023 at 15:51

I was wondering if I could use some sort of filler, or mastic, it must be a tiny hole as there's hardly any oil leaking, just enough to make it a job that needs to be done... maybe a drop of thick paint around the bracket would work?? �£

I'll see if I can fix it before buying another tank, the used ones I have found look rough and are $$$$ 😮

Posted By: 426hemi
Date Posted: 08 May 2023 at 16:48

You really want to risk your engine to a bit of paint or filler, stainless is a brittle steel and doesn’t rot but doesn’t like vibration.

Posted By: Moto_b
Date Posted: 08 May 2023 at 18:22

Is the oil tank under pressure? I don't want it to leak, but the leak is really tiny (1 or 2 drops per day) so surely it has to be a fairly easy thing to repair one ay or another. I don't have much experience soldering, welding or brazing metal, especially not stainless steel, so I'd prefer to find someone to do the job properly if that's the way to go, but if there's an alternative DIY fix I'll try that first. I remember people temporarily fixing fuel tanks with chewing gum back in the day.

Sort of on the same subject how many people use new original hose clamps to reattach the oil (or water) hoses, or alternative versions, or even jubilee clips? I have the clamp pliers that do allow the original ones to be re-used although this is never recommended, seems to work ok though. I'd rather some sort of effective re-useable version if possible, this is something I really don't want to fail when I'm miles from anywhere!...

Posted By: 426hemi
Date Posted: 08 May 2023 at 18:31

It’s not under pressure, mine had a slight leak from the rear lower mount and I had it welded but it wasn’t long until it started again, I found a very tidy stainless tank but it wasn’t cheap, steel tanks are more durable but they suffer from rot.

Posted By: constant
Date Posted: 09 May 2023 at 06:50

just it done proper i got a welder to go over the lugs on mine because i heard they were weak points for peace of mind £20

Posted By: Mich1960
Date Posted: 09 May 2023 at 07:34

I had the same, the bracket weld joint must have fractured.

I tried the welding route and wished i would have brazed the joint as a repair.

One thing i did when i got my new tank is that i opened up the 3 location holes on the Oil Tank Brackets as i found misalignment on my old tank and thought that this may have been the route of the cause of the fracture.