Gas tank advice

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

I am replacing my 1979 XS1100SF Special tank. The org. tank had been repaired by PO and has some rust and seeping from seems. I have a nice 79 special tank with "no" rust inside (one dent that I have fixed) The question to all who have been down this road with 30 year old tanks that look great, should I POR the inside just in case, or does no rust mean no leaks. Does the factory seal hold up or leak with age no matter how clean the tank

[natemoen]

You can never go wrong by coating the inside of.the tank.

[bikerphil]

Myself, I would never coat the inside of a tank unless absolutely necessary, JMHO. If the coating comes loose, then you've got problems. These tanks seem pretty solid and I've never had any problems with mine (knock). If it was leaking, I would probably try to solder it before coating. Again, JMHO

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Phil

Myself, I would never coat the inside of a tank unless absolutely necessary, JMHO. If the coating comes loose, then you've got problems. These tanks seem pretty solid and I've never had any problems with mine (knock). If it was leaking, I would probably try to solder it before coating. Again, JMHO

Thanks Phil, that was kinda my thinking, once you kream a tank if it leaks again (the one I am replacing was kreamed by a GI that used US military seal stuff, and now it seeps I think I will clean and install, if it leaks, I can always POR it later

[natemoen]

I have coated plenty of tanks in my time and I have never had one come off.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Nate

I have coated plenty of tanks in my time and I have never had one come off.

What kind do you use, I have POR US seal, I have heard it is the best but I haven't used it yet ($100.00), just got it thinking i might on this tank

[SFerinTEXAS]

I agree with Phil. When I see a bike advertised with a coated tank it's a minus in my eyes. Not a deal killer per-sea , just not a plus. If it is fairly rust free leave it alone.Just remember not to let them sit not full too long.

In the fall and a cold front comes sweeping in I make a point off topping off my tanks even if I am only a little low. Rapid temp drops will make any air inside condense and cause moisture.

[SthrnSqrl]

I used Red-Kote on my last tank job. I can honestly say that with it, make sure you don't get it anywhere you don't want sealed. I had to sand some of it off the outside of the tank. Once it set, nothing else was moving it.

[mxmikie]

i take mine to the radiator shop and let the coat it

[SFerinTEXAS]

Did some research on Red-Kote. Found only good things about it. If I EVER had to do it looks pretty good. Sticking with my original opinion But if I HAD to.............and only if.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Phil

Myself, I would never coat the inside of a tank unless absolutely necessary, JMHO. If the coating comes loose, then you've got problems. These tanks seem pretty solid and I've never had any problems with mine (knock). If it was leaking, I would probably try to solder it before coating. Again, JMHO

I thought these tanks were sealed from the factory with a crimp filled with sealer You are saying "solder" I would think that would cause the OEM sealer to leak from heat

[natemoen]

I have used several brands redcoat and lot are my favs. It's just all in the prep work. I always do it before I paint a tank. I clean it out a little then I bring the tank to a machine shop and have them hot tank the tank to get out all the rust and anything that might be on the metal. Then I coat the tank right after I get it back so the metal doesn't have time to develop surface rust.

[bikerphil]

I thought these tanks were sealed from the factory with a crimp filled with sealer You are saying "solder" I would think that would cause the OEM sealer to leak from heat

I've helped a buddy solder his XS tank about a year ago, it had several pin holes behind the petcock, not directly on the seam. We used a solder iron with the gas still in the tank, just tilted it. . It didn't really get super hot, so I'd say the sealer survived.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Thanks

I've helped a buddy solder his XS tank about a year ago, it had several pin holes behind the petcock, not directly on the seam. We used a solder iron with the gas still in the tank, just tilted it. . It didn't really get super hot, so I'd say the sealer survived.

Thanks Phil for clearing that up, I am going to try the tank as is, 30 year old sealer and all, if it leaks, ill fix, if not I RIDE

[bikerphil]

Lon, I think you'll be fine if the tank looked pretty good inside. When I bought my Standard back in '89, the tank was pretty rusty inside. I cleaned it out half assed and just rode it, cleaning the carbs out several times until the rust went away. There is no rust in it now and it's still holding strong, knock again. Good idea, ride now, fix later if needed.