Really bad corrosion in tank

[roundhouse]

This is not rust, I looks like granite and it white and black the white stuff is like soft crystals and the black is like bubbles.

I searched and found everything from vinegar to commercial stuff to clean it. This stuff is for rust, but it is not ALL rust but some strange corrosion. Anyone seen this before?

BTW I pulled the fuel lines which were dry and had nothing in them. (I will replace all lines) I put in a battery and turned over the motor after fogging the cylinders. It seemed OK and I had put tape over the pipes and it blew off so there is pressure on the exhaust stroke.

Any tips past what I could find in the search? I just do not want to put a lot of $$$ in the bike. I figure it is only worth about $1000 running so I would not want to go over that with $500 in it and i need tires which leaves about $300 to get it running. Sell it or proceed forward.......that is the question.

Any help would be appreciated.

[taz]

that is corrosion/ rust just a severe case of it the white is aluminum rust, my guess on the tank is if you do clean it and get the rust out that there will be holes and pits in the tank. It might be easier to find a different/ good tank from someone on hear or through ebay.

[ducatiman]

in the 70's I acquired a '56 BMW R69 twin....the owner died around 1960, bike sat, understandably not stored correctly at all.

...upon getting the bike home....(what was left of) the original tank and both mufflers went directly into the trash cans.

greatly pained me....but gotta always look forward. Here's my completed restoration, scan taken from an old, lousy photo. Thats a Heinrich tank...cost around $450 *back then*. Unobtanium today.

OP, your tank is so bad...toss it and buy another.

[Triple Jim]

I think it's a severe case of varnish, possibly mixed with corrosion, but maybe not much. If I'm right, lacquer thinner will slowly dissolve it. It will also dissolve paint, so use caution if you try it. And if you try it, do it outdoors because not only is lacquer thinner bad to breathe, but it's very flammable.

I've cleaned a couple tanks that looked like that, and those were not significantly rusty, just covered in a semi-hard layer of brown-black crust.

[jkv45]

I agree - it's worth a try to get it cleaned out.

It may not be as bad as you think.

[Ghostt]

Find a local radiator shop, most of them offer tank services, from rust removal, repair, to sealing.

Some things are better left to the experts, whom have the proper tools, experience, etc...

Other option is find a used tank off eBay, if your lucky you might be able to find one in the color you need.

[roundhouse]

Thanks for the tips fellas. Appreciate it. I will give cleaning it a try.

[CrazyCanuckGoat]

I only use white vinegar and a pressure washer. Let vinegar sit for a day, drain, pressure wash inside the flakes off, refill with vinegar and repeat until clean.

Worst one I had was an 83 Suzuki GS750E...sat outside for 15 years, last couple years with no gas cap, had ice in it when I bought the bike. Took a week, but was usable with no leaks.

It's always worth the attempt to clean in my eyes.

[dcj13]

Before you start, you might try putting a couple of cups of nuts (the fastener types) in the tank, reinstall the fuel cap, and shake the than tank like crazy for a while.

That will knock off a lot of the crap. Then remove the fuel cap and the nuts, clean the inside of the tank, THEN try the chemical cleaning.

Good upper body exercise, at least.

[roundhouse]

good advice. I will try the vinegar first before I buy any commercial stuff. I do not have a pressure washer. Maybe vinegar then a bunch of nuts and shake like mad then repeat.

[Triple Jim]

If it's rust, vinegar could help. If it's varnish, lacquer thinner will tend to dissolve it. You should be able to tell which it is by what removes it.

[CrazyCanuckGoat]

I've done the nuts/bolts and shakey shakey in the past. It's tiring and if there is any of old fuel/water etc, it just turns into muddy poop lol. It does work though if you want the upper body workout. A small chain will work as well if you don't feel like trying to shake a bunch of loose nuts and bolts out the fill neck without a magnet. If you are going to do this, do it BEFORE the vinegar.

White vinegar is cheap here at the bulk grocery store. While I have a pressure washer, a garden hose, some sort of sprayer, or even a air blow gun helps to break off any stubborn chunks in there. Drain the vinegar through some sort of screen to catch the big chunks and you can reuse it.

I do a baking soda/water rinse at the end, run air through the tank for 30 minutes to an hour then immediately fill with gas. I'm not big on sealers.

Both techniques should get you a clean, usable tank....now if there are any pinholes at the end.....thats a different story.

[roundhouse]

More great advice. Thanks. I am glad I joined the site. I am getting slammed at work and may not have time to work on it for a month. That is depressing, plus my wife has a list of honey do's a mile long. I will post up if I get it running. My son says I should name the bike as it will make it more personal and I will be more diligent if I care more.

I shall name it "Jenifer" for no other reason than it will bug my wife.

Wife "you can't name a motorcycle a human name!"

Me "can.........and did"

[CrazyCanuckGoat]

lol

Maybe I got lucky, my wife does not care what I do in the garage. We take care of our life priorities/bills then I do what I want. I guess with being a mechanic, she is used to cars/bikes always coming and going and knows I don't spend money foolishly.

Good luck on the bike. Our winter is almost over so my bike is ready to hit the streets ASAP. I HATE not being able to ride if the weather is good.

[CaliGrrl]

Originally Posted by roundhouse

Wife "you can't name a motorcycle a human name!"

Really? Why not? Our electric car is "Bluebell" (because she's blue), a previous car was "Gabrielle" (BMW, German car, German name), and my bike is Marigold McDuck due to her being the color of rubber duckies, which are cute.

Sorry. Going to disagree with your wife, though it probably won't win you any points.

[Triple Jim]

My daughter's Ford Escort's name is Rufus. The previous owner named it that, and asked that my daughter keep the name. She liked it, and did.