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Message started by matt_savage on 04/04/09 at 14:31:57

Title: rust in fuel tank fix?
Post by matt_savage on 04/04/09 at 14:31:57

So I have removed the gas tank as part of the transformation my bike is under right now. When I tried to drain it no fuel flowed in on, res or pri positions! I removed the tank and drained the gas through the cap hole on top. When I removed the petcock it was jammed up at the bottom with rust particles (uh oh). I used a flashlight to look inside the tank and there is some surface rust on the sides and bottom of the tank! My question is how do I go about fixing it? Anyone come across this problem and found a permanent solution to it? TIA

-side note, bike is coming along great! carb rejet is done [52.5 pilot jet, 152.5 main jet and 2 washers on the needle from Lancer's kit], K&N style filter is on, seat is modded ala DiamondJim, drilled sportster muff is on and new rear fender/brakelight, side lic. plate mount/handlebars and mini apes are ordered!! Will have pics when everything is done ;)

-Matt

Title: Re: rust in fuel tank fix?
Post by grandpa on 04/04/09 at 15:12:28

You can get a kit at NAPA or other auto parts stores. I have never done it but basically there is a chemical cleaner. A piece of chain helps to clean as you rotate your tank around. Then you rinse and dry. Top it off with a coating to seal and protect. The kit's not much. Just a good day (or weekend) project.

Title: Re: rust in fuel tank fix?
Post by Savage_Amusement on 04/04/09 at 15:44:39

Kreem is a brand and also is KBS. Both can be had for between 20-40 bucks. The 3 part kit is probably the best way to go. I'm getting something here pretty soon because I have a brand new tank and will have to seal it.

Title: Re: rust in fuel tank fix?
Post by Gort on 04/04/09 at 15:46:44

I've restored a number of cars and cycles with internally rusted gas tanks, and I've always used the products sold by Bill Hirsch Auto.

http://www.hirschauto.com/

He has been around for many years and is a trusted name in the automobile restoration business. I've never had any problems or failures with his gas tank rust removing and sealing products.

Title: Re: rust in fuel tank fix?
Post by smokin_blue on 04/06/09 at 03:53:26

I have both kreemed and only cleaned a number of tanks over the years. I would NOT kreem it unless it has pin hole leaks or really bad rust. For surfuce rust get a rust remover from a car restoration place like www.Eastwoodco.com or you can make up your own.... and do a cleaning. The key is to get it neutralized and covered right way so it doesn't flash rust again. One piece of advise I was given when working on a tank you don't plan to paint, apply a very heavy coat of turtle wax. The cleaners a usually acid based so you want to keep it off the paint (and eyes, skin, etc)

good luck

Title: Re: rust in fuel tank fix?
Post by Big Nix on 04/06/09 at 14:14:28

You know again i come from the farm and kind of an old school quick thing is just get some diesal fuel and swish it around and let it dry out. Did this with a 56' plymouth (my first car I dug out of some guys barn after it sat for 20 years) and it worked great. Just thought I'd throw that out there as a quick fix.

Title: Re: rust in fuel tank fix?
Post by Louisiana_Geezer on 04/12/09 at 17:17:23

745845595245444358455204070707370 wrote:

Is the popular opinion to have a brand new tank sealed before a new bike is put on the road?

Title: Re: rust in fuel tank fix?
Post by matt_savage on 04/12/09 at 17:31:01

I ended up going with the Bill Hirsch gas tank fix. I got it in the mail at the end of last week and it looks like it should work nicely. It's a 3 part process- clean, etch and coat. Hopefully it'll work since my tank is in good shape with a small amount of internal rust that plugged up my stock petcock.

Title: Re: rust in fuel tank fix?
Post by srinath on 04/12/09 at 17:37:18

I can line with POR15 for anyone that needs it. $75 - done many and put many pics up on gstwin. If someone is a serious perfectionist (and I am so I do mine this way ... I'll put in a vent hose fitting in the top part in front of the speedometer and that way your tank will never vacuum lock either. An added 10 bucks for that and I rate that as 100% worth it.
Cool.
Srinath.