Leaking gas tank

[acc5928]

Well I suppose since I only have a few months until warm weather here in upstate New York I should reach out. My gas tank had a small leak that slowly got worse toward the very end of the season until it was losing a noticeable amount of gas between rides. The source of the leak is the spot welds on the rear mounting bracket (at least one of them broke off and left a hole.) So, end of the season I took the tank off and took the necessary precautions then tried to braise it.... No dice. The brass didn't bond right. So, I am going to post a wtb ad and check out a few boneyards in the area but I would really like to keep this tank because it's in better condition than anything online and it's the original so the color matches.

In summary, does anyone have any advice to get the bracket back onto the tank without taking a torch directly to the tank and chancing putting a hole in it?

[CaptonZap]

A good man with a TIG and some rosette welds.

Unfortunately, once the metal is contaminated with brass, you are out of luck getting a good sound weld.
Take it to a welding shop and ask if they can save it.

CZ

[MPittma100]

Leak

Soldering is an option. Same as in radiator repair. Some shops, however, will not do gas tanks (liability issue). Brass (brazing) should stick to that tank very well. May have a contamination issue.

Mike

[MaximPhil]

Hi ACC5928,
What model do you have? Your signature shows 80H ?
1980 Standard is a G 1981 standard is an H also called the Venturer.

Phil

[acc5928]

It is actually a G with the full factory fairing set. I found out a while ago that the H in the vin actually means it's a G model I just never got around to changing it. The tank I have is a non-teardrop style. I don't know if there is a name for those or not.

[motoman]

It is actually a G with the full factory fairing set. I found out a while ago that the H in the vin actually means it's a G model I just never got around to changing it. The tank I have is a non-teardrop style. I don't know if there is a name for those or not.

Sounds like maybe your more confused thana feather in a whirlwind.

The G never had a factory installed fairing/luggage set-up. They were dealer installed or otherwise. The 81 Venturer(H) had the only factory installed fairing/luggage.

The H represents model year only.. H=81Standard, SH=81Special, LH=MidniteSpecial.

As for the tank, cleaning and re-brazing is bout gonna be only option now. Cannot be welded having brazing contamination infused into metal. Preperation prior is key to having no pin-holes from contamination during brazing rocess. Any pin-hole that pops up during brazing can sometimes be closed up using the sharp point of a slag chipping hammer. More brazing added is NOT better. Otherwise, re-heat with a torch, wire brush all previous brass off prepping area again and re-braze hopefully using flux-coated rod. Certified in this field for many a decade, but just tryin' to keep it simple for you at this point. Makes for a PITA as the tank has to eliminated of any sign of fuel, fumes or otherwise. Minute amount of fuel or fumes CAN trap themselves in tank seams, so internally, tank cannot even smell of fuel if your gonna be waving a torch around. This CAN greatly reduce its ability to hold fuel in the future.

[acc5928]

Ok, turns out I WAS confused about the brazing. I talked to my father today (he did it because I can weld but anything beyond that is out of my league) He said that the brass stuck fine but the metal was cracking which sounds like what you are talking about.

As far as the bike is concerned, you are telling me something new and the best I can do is show you pictures and have you help me out. Here is a link with pics http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...hlight=Exhaust

*EDIT* Found the thread with pics.

[motoman]

Ok, turns out I WAS confused about the brazing. I talked to my father today (he did it because I can weld but anything beyond that is out of my league) He said that the brass stuck fine but the metal was cracking which sounds like what you are talking about.

As far as the bike is concerned, you are telling me something new and the best I can do is show you pictures and have you help me out. Here is a link with pics http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...hlight=Exhaust

*EDIT* Found the thread with pics.

As determined from your earlier threads, You have a G model(80Standard). That tank IS becoming difficult to find in decent internal condition. From the description of leak location, that should be fairly easy to correct, but metal preperation AND to be done safely is the key.

[acc5928]

With the picture I was looking for help more on the fairings and bags if they aren't actually factory. They have the yamaha badges on the and everything seems to match up so I just assumed that they were stock. I believe someone told me they are windjammer but that's about all I know.

*EDIT* To prevent double post

A little googling solved my own puzzle. I know the VIN is right for a 1980 and the fairings are in fact Yamaha made, so a little googling leads me to believe that the venture fairings were added to my bike sometime after the ventured was released.

Also, tell me about it with the internal condition of those tanks. Any that I've seen online have been absolutely roached.

[motoman]

With the picture I was looking for help more on the fairings and bags if they aren't actually factory. They have the yamaha badges on the and everything seems to match up so I just assumed that they were stock. I believe someone told me they are windjammer but that's about all I know.

*EDIT* To prevent double post

A little googling solved my own puzzle. I know the VIN is right for a 1980 and the fairings are in fact Yamaha made, so a little googling leads me to believe that the venture fairings were added to my bike sometime after the ventured was released.

Also, tell me about it with the internal condition of those tanks. Any that I've seen online have been absolutely roached.

Still a feather in whirlwind I see.

Your 80G had the option of DEALER installed options. The luggage was made by Yamaha. The fairing was made by Craig Vetter FOR Yamaha. All were matching color for THAT year Standard. ALL were dealer installed as an option.

The 81 Venturer was the ONLY Standard model that was factory produced fully dressed ready to tour. That year Standard(and the last of the XS series) also had alot of (SH) Special features incorporated from the rider pegs rearward. It still carried the Standard's 17" rear wheel as opposed to the Specials 16" rear wheel.

Hope that was clear as mud.

[acc5928]

Well that seems to make some sense... Lol. No, I get it these bikes are just very confusing since most of the valuable information is only on this forum and the rest of the internet is a big void. And since I'm far too young to have been around when they were brand new, I'm left asking a lot of-what may seem like stupid- questions on here. Most of my MC buddies are Harley or jap rocket so they're no help.

[Schming]

Well that seems to make some sense... Lol. No, I get it these bikes are just very confusing since most of the valuable information is only on this forum and the rest of the internet is a big void. And since I'm far too young to have been around when they were brand new, I'm left asking a lot of-what may seem like stupid- questions on here. Most of my MC buddies are Harley or jap rocket so they're no help.

Welcome to "The Obsession" where you can check it all out and you'll never want to leave

Seriously, ask away and don't be turned off by some of us old, been there done that types.

I actually bought my '80G the year you were born.

You, my friend, are very lucky to have obtained an XS11 in such good condition. Mine was in similar condition when I got it and all I had to keep it going was a Clymers manual and Yamaha shops telling me parts were getting scarce. It wasn't till '05 that I learned how to turn on a computer and found this site the first day.

Great world wide community of XScessive Guys and Gals that'll go out of thier way to help ya with any question no matter how simple it may seem.

As CZ has suggested you'll most likely get your best result, in the repair of your fuel tank, from a weld shop.

[acc5928]

Thanks for the encouragement I've been asking away so far. And I would like to learn as much as I can from this forum as it's the best place for valuable info. I agree that I'm lucky getting the condition that I did for the price that I did. Nice to have a father with good friends . I am probably going to buy a Harley street bob in the spring but I'm gonna to hold I to the yami as long as I can.

As for the tank, there is a guy with a boneyard near me that has old jap bikes out the wazoo. Hopefully he will have something for me but if not I wi take it to a welding shop before the season starts.

[skids]

You will definitely want the tank to be in good shape before spending countless hours prepping and painting it. That includes lining the tank if that is a possibility.

[mikubuilder]

see if you can find some silver solder...you can fix your leaks at home with MAP torch.

silica bronze rod for TIG, if you have access, much less heat to warp metal around it...