Rust in tank

Az · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Apr 2013 Karma :

There's a tank up for sale which I'm imtersted in buying and keeping as a spare, as long as it goes cheap on bids.

Only concern is the amount of rust that's in the tank. I've attached some pictures, do you guys think it'd be possible to clean it up? If not, will it potentially affect the running of the bike if I ever had to fit it?

Photos taken off the ebay ad' so sorry if they're a bit crap.

MCN · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2015 Karma :

You need to follow a very aggressive process to remove the rust and then seal the tank. There are kits with detailed instructions one eBay etc. for about £60.
You must ensure the sealant is the more modern ethanol resistant type.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Would not even bother. I've thrown away less rusty tanks.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I've used worse. Seems like surface rust due to condensation above the "fuel line" where the bike's been stored rather than from water contamination (which tends to rot-out the seams) from the pictures.

If the price was right, I'd knock the loose stuff off, treat the inside with a phosphoric acid based corrosion inhibitor then store it somewhere reasonably warm and dry.

The traditional way of konocking the loose stuff off is to put a load of nuts, threaded loosely onto a long bit of string, into the tank. Then add a little fuel and swirl the tank about so the nuts scrape the rust off and the fuel washes it away.

Being a modern tank, you'd need to take the delicate fuel guages/pumps/taps out first and blank off the holes to use this technique.

I've seen people do the above nuts and petrol technique but wrap the tank in an old blanket and stick it in a cement mixer for 20 minutes.

I've also had some success removing mild rust with a sufficiently powerful pressure washer. Especially with those attachments that kind of vibrate.

You could also try electrolytic rust removal.

Google for techniques. Here's one:
https://www.instructables.com/id/Electrolysis-rust-removal-motorbike-fuel-tank/
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mudcow007 · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Feb 2012 Karma :

I tried a few times to repair a rusty tank, followed instructions to the letter.

cleaned the rust out, then put a sealer in - which melted (Petseal) an clogged everything up

MCN · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2015 Karma :

https://www.realclassic.co.uk/techfiles/petrol_tank_cleaning_and_rust_removal.html

The liner melts due to it being affected by ethanol. There are still some arseholes selling that shite.

Newer compounds are resistant.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

Az · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Apr 2013 Karma :

Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

MCN posted my usual link.

It costs about a fiver to do-rust a tank using acid. Free to do it using electrolysis, but it takes longer.

You don't need to line the tank afterwards. Tank liners are only for tanks that have rusted so much that they leak - a tank in that condition is fucked. Liners also have a habit of clogging the wrong holes.

Acid, then rinse, then rinse again with meths, then pour in some engine oil and swill it around a lot. Close up the holes and leave it on the shelf.

A100man · World Chat Champion Joined: 19 Aug 2013 Karma :

Petemate · Trackday Trickster Joined: 13 Nov 2015 Karma :

I had a VERY rusty tank on my bike when I started out on my budget resto. It was also full of filler all over, dents etc. It was absolutely beyond hope. A bit tongue in cheek I know, but I was very lucky enough to get hold of a NOS tank for a reasonable price, and I use nothing but Tesco Momentum (I'm advised it has little or no ethanol in it). I assume that there are other super unleaded brands with little or no ethanol?
So I reckon this will do for as long as I own the bike.
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MCN · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2015 Karma :

robocog · Traffic Copper Joined: 17 Apr 2009 Karma :

As its a spare and no massive rush to use it...

Electrolysis followed by a dusting of ACF50 or something that will stop it rusting again till its needed (store it in a dry place)

Electrolysis rocks and costs next to nothing to achieve great results that seem to last whenever I have done it

Vid of the last tank I did
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfGCS5lSR40

Very Happy

Only thing you need to keep an eye on is the electrodes getting cacked up - they need wire brushing back to clean metal when the amps drop off and the fizzing slows down...oh and something that catches the satans brew that oozes out....not one for indoor carpeted areas

Regards
Rob
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Needs a bigger garage...

talkToTheHat · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Feb 2012 Karma :

Petemate · Trackday Trickster Joined: 13 Nov 2015 Karma :

MCN · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Jul 2015 Karma :

- · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Oct 2013 Karma :

It'd have to be a seriously rare tank to be worth bothering with. I don't put a CBR tank in that category yet.

Try getting a decent TZR250 2ma/1kt tank without rust....
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