Dent in my tank sucks

SaltLick · February 18, 2009, 11:36:27 AM

About 2 years ago i bought a 2002 M750 with 6K miles on it for $4800. It had just had its 6K service done, and was just checked out by a shop. Only problem it had a bubble in the paint job on the tank. The guy of course said he had it repainted to black from silver and in doing so, the paintjob on the tank must not have taken so well thats why the bubble in the paint job. So i bought it, mainly cause there are hardly ever any other monsters for sale here in oregon. Well, fast forward a year im riding it and the bubble gets bigger and bigger, finally busts open to reveal bondo under it. Scrape off the bondo under the bubble and theres a crack in the tank making a leak thats why the paint and bondo bubbled. Sucks. Oh well ill get it welded and repainted, not that big of a deal.

MrFryMoto · February 18, 2009, 11:41:31 AM

sorry to hear that - sucks to hear about slimeballs like that.

i have a dented (but not cracked) 620ie tank if it would help you.

patroldawg · February 18, 2009, 08:09:57 PM

get turtle wax. should rub right out. but, seriously have you talked to the dealer yet about getting the tank replaced?

TiAvenger · February 18, 2009, 08:27:19 PM

My plastic tank bubbled a bit and nothing happened to it. Bubbling doesn't always mean it was wreaked, just means proceed with caution.

good luck on getting you tank fixed

Jobu · February 18, 2009, 08:57:25 PM

The old tank on my bike was totally F'ed in the A and was leaking like a damn sieve from a previous repair very similar to your situation. I fixed it with JB weld to get by and then bought an old tank off of Ebay, shipped to Ducpainter and now have a better than new tank (better than new because DP brazes the hinge so it won't leak and it is an awesome paint job).

But it isn't cheap to have that done; between shipping fees and paying for the work and tank, you're looking at a minimum of $600.

Norm · February 19, 2009, 05:39:50 AM

Many tank repairs result in a tank that is better then new.........depending on who does it and the techniques they use. The "bubble" problem is not uncommon, just stick a needle in it and if it smells like gas, well, start over. Find out who did the original repair, most reputable people will redo it for you.

SaltLick · February 19, 2009, 05:46:02 AM

Luckily my dad is a welder and said screw it hes going to keep going til all the holes are plugged up. I went over there last night to check it out, he had to weld about 2 places but finally got it all done. If it wasnt for him yeah id have to get a new tank. Ebay would be my last resort, yeah you can find a tank for a couple hundred bucks but whos to say that one hasnt been repaired or is leaking, rusting on the inside ect.

SaltLick · February 19, 2009, 05:51:39 AM

Quote from: Norm on February 19, 2009, 05:39:50 AM
Many tank repairs result in a tank that is better then new.........depending on who does it and the techniques they use. The "bubble" problem is not uncommon, just stick a needle in it and if it smells like gas, well, start over. Find out who did the original repair, most reputable people will redo it for you.

my dad said the same thing, said the area he did is stronger now, he tested it and pressure tested the tank for leaks afterwards looks like its ready for painting. The good news through all this is my dads a welder, and my dads friend is a retired body shop owner/painter /restorer so after the tank is done were taking it over to his house for the paint job.
All that for free. The point of my post was to warn against buying bikes with bubbles in the paint job, probably something you all knew already wish i had.

ducpainter · February 19, 2009, 05:59:38 AM

Quote from: SaltLick on February 19, 2009, 05:51:39 AM
my dad said the same thing, said the area he did is stronger now, he tested it and pressure tested the tank for leaks afterwards looks like its ready for painting. The good news through all this is my dads a welder, and my dads friend is a retired body shop owner/painter /restorer so after the tank is done were taking it over to his house for the paint job.
All that for free. The point of my post was to warn against buying bikes with bubbles in the paint job, probably something you all knew already wish i had.

Not to question your dads' welding skills...

but do yourself a favor and coat the tank with POR-15 or Caswell coating. Don't use Kreeme.

Just sayin'

mitt · February 19, 2009, 06:24:19 AM

Opportunity for a cool tank bob?

mitt

Norm · February 19, 2009, 07:49:56 AM

+1 on the POR-15, it's not an option, it's a must.

Porsche Monkey · February 19, 2009, 08:17:31 AM

Quote from: ducpainter on February 19, 2009, 05:59:38 AM
Not to question your dads' welding skills...

but do yourself a favor and coat the tank with POR-15 or Caswell coating. Don't use Kreeme.

Just sayin'

Nate, your saying coat the inside of the tank with Por15? I'm guessing that it is fuel resistant? I've never used it before.

ducpainter · February 19, 2009, 10:08:47 AM

Quote from: Ducaholic on February 19, 2009, 08:17:31 AM

Nate, your saying coat the inside of the tank with Por15? I'm guessing that it is fuel resistant? I've never used it before.

They make a specific tank product.

It is far more than resistant. After the recommended cure it is impervious to motor fuel.

I even tested it with acetone, to see if injector cleaners would harm it, after a partial cure, overnight on my heater, and all it did was yellow slightly. None came off.

It is even extremely flexible. I treated a piece of aluminum, and then to test adhesion to itself, I did it again.
I subsequently bent the aluminum in half. The POR didn't crack or lose adhesion, either from the aluminum or itself.

I realize their are other products out there, but after several years of using it and probably a hundred tanks treated without a failure, I highly recommend the product.

The directions are clear, and if followed exactly, you can't go wrong.

Porsche Monkey · February 19, 2009, 05:09:33 PM

Quote from: ducpainter on February 19, 2009, 10:08:47 AM
They make a specific tank product.

It is far more than resistant. After the recommended cure it is impervious to motor fuel.

I even tested it with acetone, to see if injector cleaners would harm it, after a partial cure, overnight on my heater, and all it did was yellow slightly. None came off.

It is even extremely flexible. I treated a piece of aluminum, and then to test adhesion to itself, I did it again.
I subsequently bent the aluminum in half. The POR didn't crack or lose adhesion, either from the aluminum or itself.

I realize their are other products out there, but after several years of using it and probably a hundred tanks treated without a failure, I highly recommend the product.

The directions are clear, and if followed exactly, you can't go wrong.

Thanks Nate that's very helpful. One of these days ill get to it.

Popeye the Sailor · February 20, 2009, 11:12:56 AM

Just to add, I have had nothing but great results with POR-15 products.

Do follow their instructions though. I didn't believe them when they said "If you get this paint on you, the only thing that will remove it is time".

They were right.

News:

Dent in my tank sucks

SaltLick

TiAvenger

SaltLick

SaltLick