SV-650 coolant tank

FYI, a little bit ago I mentioned what happened to the coolant overflow
tank on my SV-650 - the clear window crazed and shattered.

I've seen this happen to the coolant overflow tanks and windshield wiper
fluid tanks on cars, so I think it's got something to do with the horrid
Florida heat, UV, and humidity.

Anyway, I recently replaced it, so I took pics while I was at it, and if
anybody's interested, I put one up at:

http://home.cfl.rr.com/genecash/sv_coolant_tank.jpg

The window wasn't that destroyed while it was in the bike, but since it
had the structural integrity of a potato chip, it disintegrated while I
was pulling it out. There's *just* enough room to squeeze between the
frame and the carbs.

-gc

 

Yeah, that sure looks like UV-induced embrittlement. I wonder if you can
find a UV-protectant that will stick to the plastic of that window to
provide extra resistance...


dare one suggest armor all? ;-)

Seriously, I wonder if 3M makes a suitable product.

--
Later,
John



'indiana' is a 'nolnn' and 'hoosier' is a 'solkk'. Indiana doesn't solkk.

 

I doubt that anything opaque to UV would pass visible and also easy to
apply.

Since it lasted 35,000 miles and a new tank is only $36, and it's a
doddle to replace, I'm not really going to worry about it. I will keep
an eye on it though.

-gc

 

Ah, but it doesn't have to be totally opaque to UV! Lots of varnishes,
urethanes, etc. have UV protectants in them. Heck, spray-on "waterproof"
coatings often have UV protectants in them. I was just thinking that if
there was a cheap spray/wipe-on product that was useful for other things
also...

something like this:
http://www.myboatstore.com/aerospaceprotectant.htm

Yeah, the tank's cheap, and 35k miles is plenty, but...well once I get
thinking about something I do start to wonder. :-D

--
Later,
John



'indiana' is a 'nolnn' and 'hoosier' is a 'solkk'. Indiana doesn't solkk.