Bare Metal Tank

I recently started work on my KZ750 project bike. The first thing I wanted to do is re-finish my tank. After sanding all the paint off, I realized that i really liked how it looked. My friend has done the same thing with his sportster and he finished it off with just a clear coat. Should this be enough to keep it from rusting/being damaged?

You know I liked that look on mine when I did the same thing but decided against it when I realized I wouldnt be able to have a flowing scheme due to the plastic side covers. As for your question, I am sure that so long as you have the metal clean a clear would protect it and if not at least you will be able to see the rust, shoule it happen.

years ago there was a 78 1000 running around omaha that had a chrome plated gas tank,i thought it was a little weird but it seemed to hold up.my hodaka dirtbikes when i was a kid had chrome gas tanks from the factory;)

mcbartell wrote:

I recently started work on my KZ750 project bike. The first thing I wanted to do is re-finish my tank. After sanding all the paint off, I realized that i really liked how it looked. My friend has done the same thing with his sportster and he finished it off with just a clear coat. Should this be enough to keep it from rusting/being damaged?

If the clearcoat can handle gasoline without getting dissolved. Most won't.

My friend clear coated his about a year ago and it is still holding up pretty good, as of last fall. We haven't looked at it since it was put in storage.

I would think the clear coat would do the trick. Question is, how to get the sides and tail to look bare-metal'ish.

Qdude wrote:

I would think the clear coat would do the trick. Question is, how to get the sides and tail to look bare-metal'ish.

Simple. Just fab up replacements out of scrap metal. :blink:

I will probably grind down the front fender and leave the side covers the way they are. I don't have plans to put on a tail piece, if I do it will be the stock fender tucked under the frame. The section of frame sticking out will probably be cut off and braced up.

Thanks for the imput everyone, now my tank is finally done. I did all the grinding, layout, and spraying myself. The stripes are just Dupli Color Black. I took it in to the local body shop and they put on the orange pinstripes and seven coats of clear. It really has a nice smooth finish and is REALLY glossy . I am really happy with how it turned out.

Glossy

Glossy

Sorry, i couldn't get the picures to post