Hi, so having had my '94 monster for around a year now, I am very impressed with its reliability and how easy it just clicks and goes (credit to former keepers for keeping/making it as mechaincally and electrically as sound as it has been). I was doing a plug clean and when lifting the tank I noticed that the underside has a light spattering of rust, and the lower edge seal have a bit more flaky stuff. What sort of preferred rust stopper/preventer and primer/undercoat wouldbe best (especially since it will be nigh on impossible to get right in the gap between the 2 seams and the lower left/right edges). thanks in advance, Pete
The real risk is rust inside the tank not outside. the ethanol in modern fuel absorbs lots of water which can come out as the temperature and pressure changes and then sits under the fuel at the base of the tank. Because of the low shape at the back of the monster tank it can rust through - best check inside the tank and if you see any seal with POR15 https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/fuel-tank-rust-leak.50868/ Still worth emptying a steel tank every few months to drain any H2O. Rust outside is just cosmetic and I have never known it penetrate in. Although someone tried to sand the rust pimples of an XJ650 tank once and opened all the rust holes coming from inside - how we laughed
Have it blasted inside and out, flow lined and re painted - only way to fix it properly I'm afraid. Just had a 750 MV F4 tank done...
Have a ducati and cagiva (owned by ducati at the time) petrol tanks rust to a mad degree- both looked perfect from outside but the amount of rust from inside was ridiculous - blocked filters !! Used everything from loose nuts and bolts to reverse electrolysis - got the worst of it out and used a sealer - best of luck
A mate in Tadcaster who does a few classic GP bike resto's - he's never advertised and I can't recommend him as he is semi retired and took a year to do mine before he retired!
He has been mentioned before prior to semi retirement, but tentatively! Someone else on here knew of him and his skills
Get a search set up for tanks, also might be worth contacting John Fallon at MadeInItalyMotorcycles but get a NOS or good used spare. Don't fret about colour just get a good spare as repairs are hard and costly. I've been in similar boat with SS tanks in the past.
I did a tank with PO15 a few years back, and it wasn't that difficult to do. Took a while to do the various steps, but simple enough.
