AMA Pro Racing’s rules regarding fuel tanks and wheels in American Superbike are what set off Kawasaki’s recent revolt, according to well-informed sources. For the last two seasons Kawasaki’s AMA Superbikes have used custom fuel tanks that carried some of the fuel underneath the rider’s seat, lowering the bike’s center of gravity and improving handling, especially over the course of a race. When Kawasaki was informed their custom-shaped fuel tanks would not be legal under 2009 rules, that combined with the mandatory use of 17-inch wheels set off Kawasaki, which quickly started organizing a revolt with American Honda and American Suzuki. “It was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” said the source. Current American Superbike rules require the use of the stock fuel tank because double-header races in 2009 will be 50 miles long, each, which stock fuel capacity will handle. Previous rules allowed fuel tanks to be expanded to 24 liters (6.34 gallons) to complete the 100-kilometer (62 miles) races of past seasons.