Replacement Gas Tank Insulation

[MetrickMetal]

The thermal insulation on the bottom of the gas tank was all torn up and in terrible shape on the C10 I'm restoring so I removed all of it. So my first question is does it cause problems with heating up the gas tank if you don't have it installed, as I assume that is the purpose of it this is the first bike that I have ever owned that had this on the bottom of the tank, and if it is required does anybody have any good inexpensive replacement options besides buying the 3 pieces from Kawasaki which are really expensive.

I looked at the thermo-coustic barrier sheets from Eastwood that are on sale right now for $19.95 for 5 12" square pieces, but apparently from the reviews it doesn't hold up well and tends to drip the vinyl rubber backing down over everything.   

 

[Outback_Jon]

The thermal insulation on the bottom of the gas tank was all torn up and in terrible shape on the C10 I'm restoring so I removed all of it. So my first question is does it cause problems with heating up the gas tank if you don't have it installed, as I assume that is the purpose of it this is the first bike that I have ever owned that had this on the bottom of the tank, and if it is required does anybody have any good inexpensive replacement options besides buying the 3 pieces from Kawasaki which are really expensive.

I looked at the thermo-coustic barrier sheets from Eastwood that are on sale right now for $19.95 for 5 12" square pieces, but apparently from the reviews it doesn't hold up well and tends to drip the vinyl rubber backing down over everything. 

I think that the insulation is a CA-only thing.  My C10 doesn't have any, and doesn't seem to suffer any ill effects. 

[Mettler1]

  Yup. My tank has a naked bottom also.

[MetrickMetal]

I think that the insulation is a CA-only thing.  My C10 doesn't have any, and doesn't seem to suffer any ill effects.

Awesome info guys, and thanks, and all I can say is it's just more of the same old CA commies regs that have ruined this beautiful state which I was born and raised in, and it just means that I have more money to spend on other things I need for the bike. 

[Summit670]

My bike is an 87 and 49 state model and it has reflective sections on the bottom of the tank.  I don't think the tape is any thicker than the reflective tape you can get at the lumberyard or hardware store.

[RFH87_Connie]

My bike is an 87 and 49 state model and it has reflective sections on the bottom of the tank.  I don't think the tape is any thicker than the reflective tape you can get at the lumberyard or hardware store.

I have 2 87s.  Neither one ever had the material stuck on them.  Come to think of it, neither does the 88 parts bike.  Perhaps the PO added it if you are not the original owner?

[MetrickMetal]

I have 2 87s.  Neither one ever had the material stuck on them.  Come to think of it, neither does the 88 parts bike.  Perhaps the PO added it if you are not the original owner?

No, it is a factory installed item.

Go to an online parts supplier like Ronayers and look up an 02 C10, and you will see the 3 piece insulation shown under the fuel tank. It's sounding like I can get by without it, but I may still keep my eye out for some other type of foil backed insulation that uses regular fiberglass insulation like the stock stuff, but what isn't as expensive as the stock stuff. 

[Summit670]

I am the original owner on the 87 which had the reflective tape (pads?) OEM.  I believe the bike was manufactured in late 86.

Interesting, the parts fiche shows the "pads" for the california model only but my bike is the 49 state version and I know I don't have the evap stuff.  If the pads are the reflective pieces under the tank, I'd just use the heat tape from menards and call it good.

Maybe people assembing the bikes didn't differentiate tanks all the time and put Calif tanks on 49 staters.  Also note, my bike is silver and most 87's are burgandy (sp?).

[RFH87_Connie]

Personally (aka IMHO), if they are not on your bike currently, I wouldn't waste time to add them.

They may help a little in extreme heat situations, but maybe not.  These are simply one of the pieces of the puzzle that helped them pass a mandatory emission requirement at the assembly line level.  If you are thinking they might help to cool you, I would think they wouldn't.  If you really want to maybe do some good, get some really good aftermarket stuff - that in the end may not be really doing anything.

As a side note, there was a discussion about fuel starvation and riders running a fuel filter (mainly in a hot climate) a while back.  Some riders have been known to wrap the fuel filter and the line a few inches in both directions to perhaps help with a possible vapor lock and to help with head pressure when the fuel in the tank was low.  The fuel line and filter is pretty close to the valve cover.

As for me - not filter, no insulation, no problems.