Is it absolutely necessary to use the radiator overflow tank? I mean, I understand the use of it and everything but I was wondering if it was necessary to use. And if I take it off, what problems may I run in to if any?

 

its absolutely necessary, once the fluid gets hot it expands, if you get rid of the Expansion tank and were to block off the port, then the fluid will have no where to go, keep building pressure and eventually "break s**t", if you leave the port open then once the fluid heats up it will just flow out of the engine, causing the level to drop and making your engine overheat
either way its a real bad idea...so dont do it

 

Alright. I just hate the placement and shape of the tank. Any aftermarket tanks you recommend to replace it?

 

You can use any container that will not melt from hot coolant. Just needs the tube to go to the bottom and a pin hole to vent. Some old cars have bags. I've even seen soda bottles used. (nos drink bottle would look cool).You could always paint it so it blends in with the bike, just make sure to mask a strip off so you can see the level.

 

Yea, the idiot who owned the bike before me painted the whole thing black. -_- I think I could fabricate something. Maybe something that looks like a NOS bottle. Would be cool.

 

Didn't NOS have a drink in cool bottle?

 

Yup, has the same logo as the actual NOS cannisters - I've seen some guys use those cans to cover their nitrogen cannister for the rear shock.

 

I'm assuming you're fightering your bike? Otherwise, the tank is completely hidden by fairings. Also - Even fightered, how are you going to externally mount a bottle that already tucks into a pretty well hidden part of the chassis?

Maybe it's just me, but that bottle doesn't seem to really stick out to me, even with no fairings on the bike.