Went to fill up and start the bike for summer, and discovered fuel is weeping out of this spot of rust on my tank. It's very slow in leaking. The tank has been (badly) painted on the inside by the previous owner with what looks like hammerite. Do you have any suggestions on how to approach fixing? I'm guessing, rub it down, and solder.
I doubt it will be hammerite, if it’s silver then it’s probably Por15 tank sealer and it hasn’t got right down into that bottom corner. It really needs stripping back to see where else it’s rusty as that’s probably not the only spot. You can get petrol tank repair epoxy that would do as a temporary fix, I’ve used it before and it works and it means you’re not off the road. Personally I’d look for another tank especially as it’s been lined previously.
POR 15 is silver. I suspect it has been applied to the inside of your tank. I have lined a number of tanks with it going back some 7 years and yet to have a problem with it. It does have to be applied following a rigorous cleaning process. I suspect tanks that have problems a largely due to someone not doing the degreasing/cleaning/etching pre treatments thoroughly. The bad news is that failed tank sealant is a bastard to remove. As Zeus said, you may be better looking for a replacement tank.
Right. If you fix one spot, later on it will probably start weeping from another spot somewhere. Maybe while you are far from home. Then again if you buy a second hand tank, that one might do the same.
It’ll need a section cutting out and MIG weld a new section in. Your complications are likely to be from the already applied Por15 its removal and reapplication A respray with new decals to finish off. I bought a second hand tank with the welding repair already done from Pro Twins, had it resprayed locally and resealed it internally myself.
Welding a petrol tank sounds like a recipe for boom! I'll take the tank apart and give the area a rub, it might be obvious what is going on.
it's a last resort, and that's why I didn't recommend it, once you have removed all the paint then you will get a much better idea. I would have done this for peanuts 30 years ago as really enjoy welding in all its forms. I'm sure you'll be able to find some professionals who know what they're doing, if you were around this way I could recommend a very good person who also charges reasonable prices. The world has changed so much, that a "new "tank is almost certainly the best approach if the holes are "gaping ", and I think they probably are. Pro Twins repaired one or two of these tanks, and then put them up for sale but it wasn't profitable for them even though the finished tanks were quite expensive.
My Tank was literally a sieve. The garage I was using said it was scrap. I sent it to Dream Machine Nottingham. They stripped it and welded in a new plates at the rotten underside. They also removed a dent, new paint and decals. Came back like a new tank ! Can't praise them enough.
there are at least 4 on EBay - average price around £400. I think a refurb of yours will cost this and probably more today as painting can be as much/more than the welding. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12689664...Q7x2IgSWIdF4UGJZUX2ik+VA==|tkp:Bk9SR9iZxZ2xZQ https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16568665...X0YGEwz2plrcD06ns8dPKvfYxU|tkp:Bk9SR9iZxZ2xZQ
I have seen those two on eBay, one has a dent so would need more work. Let me give it a rub down and see what I have.
Looks good and similar to my experience. Welding a new section to the underside of the tank shouldn’t be considered as a last resort, it’s a sound solid finish and removes the chances of it perforating again in the near future. Did you seal the inside?
disagree on the "last resort" bit, but you knew that? - if it could be soldered or sealed in any other way (don't forget, we haven't seen how bad it is yet?) then this is always preferable just from an expense p.o.v.
I wasted time on thinking I’d fixed the perforated tank by having it ‘professionally’ repaired at Ducati Manchester. It lasted about three months before it failed. As gloomy as Pete’s post reads it’s true if it’s gone through in one spot it’s just a matter of time before it leaks elsewhere. Cutting out the weak section and replacing it with new steel eliminates the problem altogether Yes it’s costly but very effective.
i had a leaky tank, £2k for a new one i had it welded, was a proper secure job, empty tank and they blow fans in to weld and stop a boom google and phone around, see what's cheaper, a weld and proper paint finish or eBay?? all the other fixes are tempory at best
i agree regarding tank sealant although people have had long lasting results apparently but depending on how bad corrosion is, solder can be a permanent solution. Manufacturers thought nothing of soldering in fuel feed tubes in the 60's.
Not entirely sure what I am doing here but I have not seen any apparent holes yet. The tank was only leaking slowly; the smell of petrol was more prominent, and there was a slight damp patch beneath the frame. I'll keep rubbing....
