Had the smell of petrol in the garage for a couple of days now and when I took the petrol tank off the track bike, low and behold there is evidence of a weep. Emptied and cleaned up the tank, replaced the copper washer on the drain plug and put a few litres back in. Within a few seconds you can feel petrol leaking out of the seam at the back of the tank where the rear attachment point to the frame is. So the question is, does anyone know of a company that can do repairs or if not do they have a decent tank for sale. I really do not want to refit my OE tank and oh yes, I'm supposed to be at Silverstone on the 31st, so no urgency ! Andy
Thanks, an interesting thought. Not too sure about hot work and a used petrol tank as even a smell of petrol is capable of lighting up and in a confined space . Andy
Think this is quite common where you describe it, you can coat the tank with petseal I think which would coat the inside of the tank with a permenant coating and cure the leak maybe??
Not sure what bike you are talking about but this is quite common on original shape Monsters, lots of ways to fix it my favoured to tig weld around the hinge plate, filling the tank with Argon while welding will make it safe
I have used Petseal successfully on a tank that was ripped off a race bike and slid up the track causing the seams to leak in the middle of the tank on both sides. That was 5 years ago and the Petseal I used to solve this problem still holds good. The best thing is that Petseal produce a dissolving agent which means you can reverse the process and have it properly welded when it suits. There may be better products but as far as I know this is the only reversible sealer that works that I have come across. Your particular fault is fairly common and, for me, there are two options to consider, the above or welding but it will damage the tank lining plus any residual heat will burn away some paint.
This stuff is better than Petseal POR15 Fuel Car / Bike Tank Repair Sealer | Frost Auto Restoration Techniques
If you go for sealing rather than welding, then I can also vouch for Mr C's recommendation re the POR15 kit. It's a tedious job, and will take some time (including some days as a I recall for the stuff to cure) but you will probably find some horror stories about other sealants (not being permanenet and gumming things up). Loads of useful info re POR15 applicatio here: Repairing a rusty or leaking SS tank - Ducati.ms - The Ultimate Ducati Forum
Medium POR15 kit purchased today. 3 days delivery gives me time to get the tank back to metal so I can phosphate the outside before respraying. Thanks for all the advice chaps and I'll post an update on the process and success ---- or not. Andy
Just took the petrol tank to get the now scruffy spray can paint removed back to metal prior to using the POR15 and had an interesting converation with the local powder coater. Oh, I we powder coat tanks says he, would you like it done ? Sorry, am I missing something here ? I thought powder coating required curing in an oven at temperature. I'm no expert but my DSEAR training tells me that petrol vapour is not something you want to heat up, especially in a confined space or am I being overly cautious ? Andy
I'm sure your being cautious Andy, there are ways to neutralise the fumes before repairs such as welding or brasing. I think the powder coaters will be well aware of the dangers. Steve
Done a few Lc tanks with Por 15 good stuff just follow instructions and make sure its bone dry inside before the next stage
Right, in the last fortnight the outside of the tank has been powder blasted to get rid of all the now rather untidy petrol stained rattle can paint and back to bare metal, cleaned, etched and painted using the POR15 medium sized motorcycle petrol tank restoring kit as per instructions and advice. Left it until the 5th day to put petrol in and I'm delighted to say no leaks. When the powder coater stripped the tank he offered to powder coat it and this is what you get for £40. A few small runs where I was a little impatient with the POR15 paint but it stuck to the OE black finish of the tank which concerned me as the tank wasn't anywhere near as manky as the pictures on the packaging of the kit. Still got to refit the pump and filler cap, get the tank back on the bike - with the little top hat spacer in the rubber grommet that goes in the rear fixing bracket this time - and then fire up the bike to check that the slipper works after its regreasing. Silverstone Thursday - wahooo ! Andy
