Finally got a XS-11 again but the tank??

[walter1970]

I bought a 78 XS with 22,000 miles on it been sitting for 4yrs and the tank is horrible with rust!! Also the carbs are locked up too. I cant explain it,But my first motorcycle was a 78 xs11 in 1988 when I was 18 I really loved that bike but of course I sold it long ago. I have had four xs-11's, two 78's and two 79's. Owned also a 1984 v-65 sabre and a 1984 v-65 magna. I currenty own a 2006 suzuki hayabusa which I do love!!! But I really miss the old school bikes. So I bought this one to bring her back to life and I will post pics as soon as I can,But here is my main question, Do all the XS-11 Tanks interchange?? Ive never tried it and was wondering if I could use a special Tank on a 78?? I wish I could salvage the 78 tank for more fuel capacity plus I always liked the fuel gauge too,,please let me know,,thanks Walter

[HobbyMan]

Why don't you try to salvage the rusty tank? Use electrolosys or some sort of acid. Just do some searches and you will find loads of info on this site, for salvaging a tank and swapping them.

[John]

Any Standard tank will fit. In fact the 81 Venture had an even larger tank. Around 6 gals. I believe you could fit a Special tank to the 78, but you would also need the petcocks for a Special tank. They are totally different from Std petcocks. A few lengths of small chain, or some nuts and bolts dropped into the tank and agitated will knock off a lot of that rust, but beware, the tank may develope pinholes if the rust is really thick. You may need to coat the inside of the tank after removing the rust to prevent leaks. I had a Std tank that leaked after removing the rust inside it. The paint was thick enough to cover the pin holes until I knocked the rust from the inside of the tank.

[walter1970]

tank pics

[John]

Eeewwww!Grody...

As bad as that looks, I'll bet it can be saved. It looks like a lot of varnish coating the metal from what I could see. You may want to do a search on here for ways to clean/seal a fuel tank. You may find one on ebay, or Andreas Wiess may have one. Hell, check the classifieds ads here.

[50gary]

John, you mentioned the 1981 Venture tank (6gal) but is that one a bolt on? Perhaps it needs modifications to fit? I would love to have a really big tank. I have a 1978E standard now.
Cheers, 50gary

[John]

Gary

From what I've read here it is a direct bolt on. The tank is taller, and possibly wider. The Venture is really the 81 Standard. It was basically a blending of Std and Spcl, with a full dress kit attached.

[webbcraft2150]

Succubus found a XS graveyard close to Austin. I talked to him Sunday and he said it was a regular candy store. Ya might give him a PM and see where it was. I am sure there are some local boys here that would be glad to go check em out for you.

Quick, wheres my ATM card and helmet!!!!

[skids]

It was really called "Venturer." The Venture was a different Yamaha.

Originally posted by 50gary
John, you mentioned the 1981 Venture tank (6gal) but is that one a bolt on? Perhaps it needs modifications to fit? I would love to have a really big tank. I have a 1978E standard now.
Cheers, 50gary

[walter1970]

Thanks

I found a radiator shop that said they would give it a try to clean it out with chemicals, Hopefully I wont have to find a new tank!! thanks everyone for your comments and I will keep you posted on what happens,Walter

[thewiz]

gas tank sealer

Here's a link to the Eastwood Company for a gas tank sealing product .... http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/p...keyword=10087Z

[showtime]

I just got done using the POR tank sealer kit on mine and I couldn't be happier with the results. The kit came with 'Marine clean" to soak it in first to remove the varnish, 'Metal ready' to soak it in to treat the rust, Then a pint of the POR coating which was very easy to use. It's silver so the tank looks real nice on the inside now. I did have pin holes so I roughed up the outside bottom ledges with 80 grit sandpaper and put a layer of fiberglass over the damaged area before I did the inside.
Kit was about 35.00. It's so nice now I get all teary eyed just looking at it......well that might be the fumes

[50gary]

Showtime, I second that comment. I have done two tanks with the POR 15 and ditto, great stuff. If you've ever painted something that's rusty using another product originally from England called "Hammerite" paint in the silver colour, it looks exactly like POR 15. Even the directions and cure time are simular.
BTW, I used to build guitars and one of my guitars (the second in a series of three) is called "Showtime" The first was
"Partytime" and the third is "Bigtime." All three are different in colour and detail but are thin line hollow body "F" hole electric.
Cheers, 50gary

[Pat Kelly]

The Venturer tank will bolt-on to a 78 (I have one). It just barely fits inside the (Pacifico) fairing, but it fits.

My Venturer tank is quite rusty inside too. Radiator shop said they can boil-out the rust, do it all the time. They quoted me $35. They also asked if I wanted them to seal it. I have the Caswells kit which has worked quite well in the original 78 tank for many years now.

I plan to put the Venturer tank on the E. Paint the E tank black and put it on my Midnight Special, particularly for short road trips. Around town I'll probably stick with the tiny original Special tank on the LG.

[ccogswel]

Hey Walter,

That tank can be saved. I done the electrosis method on a special tank that worse then that one and it came out clean. Been doing great. The radiator shop should have no trouble with it. Hope all works out and Good Luck!