gas tank repair?
#1
gas tank repair?
ok so everyone is gonna tell me to just buy a new tank, but i dont exactly have 600 bucks burning a hole in my pocket or i would. i crashed my bike and dented the top and front of my tank in. i'm trying to figure out the best way to try and get the dent out. i'm not trying to make it look like nothing happened, i just want to be able to put more than 2.5 gallons in. in front of the gas cap and around the left side of the tank is where it is dented the worst. anyone have any ideas on how to half-*** fix it? thanks
#2
Might post this up in the General Tech part...Sorry bout your luck there. Glad you're ok! but a good way is to clean the surface off (paint and all). Then tac weld some welding rods to the dented section and take pliers and pull it back out and then bondo the rest of the minor bumps. Hope that'll work for ya. Good luck!
#3
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* I moved this top General Tech *
Well it sort of depends on the type of dent...a pic would be good ?
but anyways ... I have known guys with dents that are not to creased, to use a well metered amount of compressed air to pop dents out ...
If it is pretty bad though , maybe the old little drilled holes(as few as possible) and put wire hook into them to pull the dents out ...
Repairs to the holes can then be temporarily made with any number of fuel tank repair systems available from your local car accessories/spares shop...
A full repair will cost too much unless you have the skills to do it yourself?
BTW- A second hand/used tank wont cost $600 bucks...
Well it sort of depends on the type of dent...a pic would be good ?
but anyways ... I have known guys with dents that are not to creased, to use a well metered amount of compressed air to pop dents out ...
If it is pretty bad though , maybe the old little drilled holes(as few as possible) and put wire hook into them to pull the dents out ...
Repairs to the holes can then be temporarily made with any number of fuel tank repair systems available from your local car accessories/spares shop...
A full repair will cost too much unless you have the skills to do it yourself?
BTW- A second hand/used tank wont cost $600 bucks...
Last edited by CBRclassic; 06-07-2009 at 01:10 AM.
#4
You might want to start looking on ebay. A lot of times you can find your tank and color for a decent price. Ive many nice tanks (depending on what bike) go anywhere from 75 to 175 bucks. It may seem like a lot of money, but the time and money you invest in fixing your dented tank, you may be better off dropping some money on a good tank.
Be extra careful if you try the welding. Empty the tank completely and run some type of non flamable liquid through it. Gas vapors are more flamable than the actual gas, so make sure its completely dry and no fumes exist.
CBR classic has a good method, depending on how bad the dents are. If the dents are creased, it may not work, but its worth a shot. Also, instead of welding, I've seen people use a bar and some adhesive. adhere the bar to the tank, when it dries, lift the dent out with the bar. The air and adhesive method may work together. Be sure to wear eye protection if you use the air method. I have no idea how much air pressure one of these tanks can handle. the last thing you want is a tank exploding on ya.
Best bet is to post up some pics so people here can give you a better answer. It will all depend on how extensive the damage is.
Be extra careful if you try the welding. Empty the tank completely and run some type of non flamable liquid through it. Gas vapors are more flamable than the actual gas, so make sure its completely dry and no fumes exist.
CBR classic has a good method, depending on how bad the dents are. If the dents are creased, it may not work, but its worth a shot. Also, instead of welding, I've seen people use a bar and some adhesive. adhere the bar to the tank, when it dries, lift the dent out with the bar. The air and adhesive method may work together. Be sure to wear eye protection if you use the air method. I have no idea how much air pressure one of these tanks can handle. the last thing you want is a tank exploding on ya.
Best bet is to post up some pics so people here can give you a better answer. It will all depend on how extensive the damage is.
#5
My grandpa taught me to make sure all the liquid is out, put it around a corner of a building, and quickly wave a torch over the opening. It'll ignite the last bit of fumes but ya gotta be very careful doing that and make sure all the holes are open. But yeah, you can find a cheap used tank on Ebay.
#6
My grandpa taught me to make sure all the liquid is out, put it around a corner of a building, and quickly wave a torch over the opening. It'll ignite the last bit of fumes but ya gotta be very careful doing that and make sure all the holes are open.
maybe we should start a grandpa technique thread?
But good ol grandpa techniques are awesome. I just wanted to make sure the guy didnt leave the tank on his bike and start welding on it. Ya never know what some people may try.
#7
#9
WOW I thought us Albertains were Red necked.
Empty gas out.
Remove the fuel pump.Works good to empty the gas out the fuel pump hole.
You should be able to get at the top dent from the fuel pump hole.
You can use a bar with a sightly rounded end to bump the dent out.
If you know a body man this would be a good time to take it to one.
If you plan on doing any work involving an igniton source run lots of hot water through the tank. Blow it out with air and you can even apply a small flow of air from the hose going into the tank when you are welding etc. just to be safe.
There have been many killed by the exploding gas tank.
Empty gas out.
Remove the fuel pump.Works good to empty the gas out the fuel pump hole.
You should be able to get at the top dent from the fuel pump hole.
You can use a bar with a sightly rounded end to bump the dent out.
If you know a body man this would be a good time to take it to one.
If you plan on doing any work involving an igniton source run lots of hot water through the tank. Blow it out with air and you can even apply a small flow of air from the hose going into the tank when you are welding etc. just to be safe.
There have been many killed by the exploding gas tank.