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Tank hole from rust 20 Jul 2022 17:05 #870753

  • Elfarm98648
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Good afternoon all. While waiting for wheel bearings I figured I would start the next project, which is to fix the gas tank I just bought. Started by stripping all the paint off the outside of the tank, not the paint under the backbone but the visible paint. I have gotten through the main top part of the tank with the body filler and blending it all down. I move to the side of the tank where the emblems were and start to clean off some of the rust that was present there and I find this
I have already put a lot of time and an ample amount of money into this tank already, is there a good way to fix it? I am not partial to the emblems so if it would involve covering the emblem mount completely and giving it the shaved look, I would not be opposed. 
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Tank hole from rust 20 Jul 2022 19:41 #870760

  • Nessism
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What does the inside look like?  It seems likely that there would be rust.

What I've done on similar tanks is remove the petcock, cap, etc, and place the tank in a large plastic tub.  Then fill up the tub with water, submerging the tank, then dump in a gallon or two of phosphoric acid.  If you are in the US, Home Depot sells Kleenstrip Metal Prep, which works good.  This will eat off the rust.  When the rust is all gone, line the tank with Caswell's tank sealer.  Taping over the holes will prevent it from leaking out while coating.  This material is a type of epoxy, and it's very thick, so it will reinforce the thin metal eaten away by rust.  

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Tank hole from rust 21 Jul 2022 00:59 #870765

  • kzstreetfighter71
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All of the Nessim said and if you want to go the extra mile for a bit more bucks find a braze welder, iv fixed a load of pin holes like this with low melt silver braze.
06 Gsf 1200 bandit, 08 Triumph tiger 1010
05 Yam xv1700 , 02 Hon shadow 1100
1975 Z1 (currently working on)
1977 Z1000 ( running and in storage)
1978 Z1000 (currently working on)
1978 Z1r "skinny tank" (currently working on)
1978 Z1r "fat tank (gathering parts)
1979 z1000st (currently working on)

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Tank hole from rust 21 Jul 2022 05:25 #870773

  • ghostdive
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This is out of my depth to suggest, but if you're okay with filling the emblem area, it might be prudent to peel off the strips to ensure there's no rust or other damage behind them.
1982 KZ750 Spectre - 6 speed swap, BS34s, 18" rear wheel

2001 ZX-6R

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Tank hole from rust 21 Jul 2022 07:35 #870778

  • Elfarm98648
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Nessism, the tank appears to be very clean on the inside. I do not own a bore scope so I cannot check down in the petcock/fuel level sensor area but from my visual inspection it looks good. 
If the inside is rust free and this is only rust that has eaten through the outside, would it still be recommended to use the caswell epoxy sealer on the tank? Where can I get some of that? Amazon has it for $70 + $18 delivery. 

How are the emblem straps held on? Would I have to grind them off to get to the back of them? 

I have never had any good luck with brazing so I think I want to avoid that route as it has never ended with good results. 

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Tank hole from rust 21 Jul 2022 08:04 #870780

  • Wookie58
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You could use "lead loading" to fill if you aren't happy brazing. This is only a problem if you intend to powder coat as the oven is hot enough to distort the lead filler (back "in the day" all body filling was done this way)
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Tank hole from rust 21 Jul 2022 08:11 #870781

  • Elfarm98648
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Wookie, I am unfamiliar with lead loading. I do not plan to powdercoat the tank so that will not be an issue. Do you have any experience with the tank epoxies by JB weld to fill the hole through the outside? 
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Tank hole from rust 21 Jul 2022 08:21 #870782

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I don't unfortunately. Would be good to google it, basically you use heat (propane torch etc) and lead bar and use the lead as you would "bondo". This process preceeded bondo as a filler but is a much more permanent repair.
 
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Tank hole from rust 21 Jul 2022 09:43 #870786

  • Scirocco
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How are the emblem straps held on? Would I have to grind them off to get to the back of them? 

I have never had any good luck with brazing so I think I want to avoid that route as it has never ended with good results. 

The enblem strap have three dot welds,

kzrider.com/forum/6-paint-a-bodywork/612...is-tank-toast#818039

 
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Tank hole from rust 21 Jul 2022 13:29 #870792

  • hardrockminer
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You can order directly from Caswells in North America.

In the USA - caswellplating.com/epoxy-gas-tank-sealer.html

In Canada - www.caswellcanada.ca/gas-tank-repair/

I buy their products to zinc plate.  Their instruction manuals for plating are first class.
I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar. My wife has a 2019 Suzuki DR 650 for on and off road.
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Tank hole from rust 21 Jul 2022 14:40 #870798

  • z1kzonly
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You like your motorcycle?
You plan on keeping your motorcycle?
Invest into your motorcycle!

Buy a better tank!

If not? I also recommend the Caswell product!
It is a "Phenol-Novolac Epoxy." (above my pay-grade in science class in high school  )  It is made to adhere to rusted / corroded substrate surfaces!

Save up for a new tank! IMO.
Livin in "CheektaVegas, NY
Went thru 25 of these in 40 yrs.
I SOLD OUT! THE KAW BARN IS EMPTY.
More room for The Old Girl, Harley 75 FLH Electra Glide,
Old faithful! Points ign. Bendix Orig. carb.
Starts everytime!

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Tank hole from rust 21 Jul 2022 17:41 #870814

  • Elfarm98648
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Z1KZ, yes I do like the motorcycle, I plan to keep the motorcycle for at least another year or 2. However I am not made of money so it does put a hindrance on how much I can spend here. Plus there is no other KZ750 E tank on the eBay even available for sale. 

thank you Nessism, I will look into their products and definitely purchase some tank sealer. In the meantime this is the the pictures that I could take from inside the tank, Keep in mind that it has not been cleaned out since I have gotten it as I am unsure of what to rinse it out with so it does not rust. 
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