Gas Tank Decisions

[baltimorenick]

I am getting to repaint the tank off my standard and put it on my special.

First, I am going to use metal rescue or something similar with a handful of nuts and bolts to clean up the inside.

I am on the fence as to whether I want to coat the interior or not. I have seen so many tanks with a failed liner that I am reluctant to even bother with it. Also, I am lazy.

Second, the old tank emblems are cracked and worn out. I am considering using some bondo over the mounting area/indents to just make the sides of the tank smooth. My only concern is that doing that would be permanent, and what if I change my mind later? Is there something different I can do to make the tank look presentable without buying new emblems or bondo'ing up the mounting area?

[IanDMacDonald]

How about putting a Yamaha decal over the area, and seal it in? All u'd have to do down the road is re-paint

[BA80]

I am getting to repaint the tank off my standard and put it on my special.

First, I am going to use metal rescue or something similar with a handful of nuts and bolts to clean up the inside.

I am on the fence as to whether I want to coat the interior or not. I have seen so many tanks with a failed liner that I am reluctant to even bother with it. Also, I am lazy.

Second, the old tank emblems are cracked and worn out. I am considering using some bondo over the mounting area/indents to just make the sides of the tank smooth. My only concern is that doing that would be permanent, and what if I change my mind later? Is there something different I can do to make the tank look presentable without buying new emblems or bondo'ing up the mounting area?

Evapo-rust works well but it takes 3 or 4 days if the rust is heavy. If the tank doesn't leak when your done with the rust removal I personally wouldn't seal it. I hate sealer.

I've had good luck repainting old badges. You can get new chrome badges for like $4 each from HERE but they are flat and must be heated and formed to the tank. They are actually for golf carts but look good. It's what I have on the SF.

[Garagamus]

I'm trying something out with 3M chrome trim. I think you can get it in bigger widths. Depending on the look your going for, could be a fix to go over the old mounting spots after paint. Have a buddy that builds rat-bikes and goes over the emblems with cool belt buckles with the back of them ground flat, (cool part is that the buckles usually have some curve to them), think he puts them on with JB weld.

[baltimorenick]

I've had good luck repainting old badges. You can get new chrome badges for like $4 each from HERE but they are flat and must be heated and formed to the tank. They are actually for golf carts but look good. It's what I have on the SF.

Do you have any pictures of them? Do they have mounting holes that match up with the holes on the tank or do you have to drill holes?

[baltimorenick]

I'm definitely not going to go with the sealer then. What should I use to keep the inside from flash rusting while I wait for paint to come in the mail? Just spray a bunch of WD40 in there?

[BA80]

The holes line up perfectly but as I said, you have to heat them and form them to the tank. Heat them from the back and form them with your hands. The chrome tends to wrinkle if you get it too hot.

I use a regular heat gun on low, others have said a hair dryer works. A dryer doesn't get as hot.

I don't have any close ups but this pic is pretty good....... The side cover badges I repainted.



this bike is for sale by the way...

[BA80]

I'm definitely not going to go with the sealer then. What should I use to keep the inside from flash rusting while I wait for paint to come in the mail? Just spray a bunch of WD40 in there?

That's what I did. You could slosh some diesel or kerosene around in there too.

[baltimorenick]

Wow, she's pretty. I think I am going to go with those. I would really hate to permanently alter the tank with bondo.

[BA80]

Thanks! Look at my ebay post to see more recent pics. Took them yesterday.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1979-Yamaha-SF-XS1100-Special-/171115423514?_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&forcev4exp=true

[Garagamus]

This is what I just did with the chrome 3M stuff, but like I said...depending on the look your going for. I would imagine your looking for stock.

[TADracer]

I'm definitely not going to go with the sealer then. What should I use to keep the inside from flash rusting while I wait for paint to come in the mail? Just spray a bunch of WD40 in there?

Tank coating is like motor oil...everyone has a different opinion. That's what is great about America! So all I can testify to is my experiences.

Most failures are from suspect preparation. Having said that, I have had great performance with the two-part Epoxy kit from Caswell Plating. It has been in my tank for several years and is still performing perfectly. Simply follow the directions except for two things: 1 - substitute a pound of drywall screws for the nuts and bolts to rattle around in the tank (they do a better job) and 2 - use the whole kit (they say the kit will do two tanks).

Take your time and do not rush the process and plan on spending about a half an hour SLOWLY rotating your tank to make sure every little crack and cranny is covered.