Gas Tank Rust/Cleaning - fuel filter

Ok, the gas tank on my 83 KZ550H (hasn't run in 10 years) looks a little rusty inside, but not terrible. Mostly just surface rust from what I can see. But I'd like to clean it before I start running the bike. So I'm wondering what's the best (and simplest) method in your experience.

There's not enough rust to worry about doing the 'dump the bolt bucket in', and I know I can go try different acid combinations. But will using something like Cider Vinegar work, or is there any downside to it? And if using something like that, should I remove the Petcock first?

Also, once I'm done, I would like to add an in-line filter between the Petcock and Carb. Can anyone give a recommendation on the different types of filters available...or are they all basically the same.

Thanks for the advice.

There's a wide variety of filters. I've tried a couple and now use (and am happy with) a Golan Super Mini. Not cheap, but the element is stainless and can be cleaned and best of all the filter is very short (even though it filters up to 6 gallons per minute at 10 microns) so it fits very well under the tank. Ed

If you can't see down into the nether reaches of the fuel tank, then the rust may be worse than you think.
My tank seemed to be in pretty good shape as there was only very light surface rust below the fuel filler hole, but it was rusted quite a bit where I couldn't see (rust particles clogged the petcock screen, even after cleaning w a 50-50 solution of muriatic acid & water to remove the flash rust).

There are a bunch of ways to treat rust.

I use $2 clear filter with paper from NAPA or Advance auto. It looks like paper. Make sure it is not touching anything.

ok, thanks for the help. I've tried to find information on fuel flow for my bike with no luck. Does anyone know what it should be approximately? I don't want to restrict the flow of fuel. And for the fuel filter, what micron level should it cover? I have a Briggs and Stratton $3 filter in my garage thats good for 60 microns which I'm planning to use to test the bike, but does that catch small enough particles?

Ed, thanks for the advice on the Golan...I will definately look at something like that once I'm comfortable that my bike will be worth upgrading (I've never driven it, just putting it back togethere after 10 years of sitting).

For the rust in the tank, I am going to run bolts through the tank and then use Apple Cider Vinegar. But two questions: 1) i will remove the petcock for the bolts, but something else in my tank seems to be moving around (I can hear a clicking noise when I rotate the tank which is not coming from the outside). Is there anything else that may be in my tank that I need to worry about damaging?

2) In all the videos regarding using vinegar in the tank, everyone seems to leave the petcock in...is there any fear of the vinegar damaging the petcock if it sits in there for a day?

Thanks