Gas tank mod before repaint

I am about to modify my KZ650 gas tank. I need to cut into it. Is there a solution I can put into it so that the sparks from the cut wheel don't cause the tank to explode in my face?

Yea, its called air. Empty the tank as best you can. Get a fitting on the end of your air hose that leaks a little bit. (Tape the button or trigger down slightly. You don't need much, just a little bit). Stick it way down into the tank and let a litle air piss into it for at least 12 hours. Preferably 24. Make sure you are in a well ventilated area! Move your hose end once to get into both sides. 99.9% of the fuel will be gone. It wont even hardly smell like gas.

This sounds like a lot of work, but if you have rust in your tank, especially rusty seams in the nether raches, fuel can be trapped and cause a serious explosion risk. Moving air through the tank will get it all.

As for your tank mod: Whats up? Need to hold more fuel? Can you enlighten the group with some pix?

Good luck!

take it to a radiator shop and have it boiled out.

fill it with inert gas, CO or argon or a miix from a wire welder works pretty good. i always seem to get a little "poot" every time i weld or cut a tank.

flht1997 wrote:

i always seem to get a little "poot" every time i weld or cut a tank.

Nothing wrong with gettin' a little poot now and again...

Thanks so much for the tips - most helpful. As to the reason for the mod, I hope you fellows don't disapprove too much, but I am turning it into an electric. I have modified the frame to accomodate 4 batteries and will be using the gas tank as a repository for the electrical components (sans batteries and motor). If you are interested, I have been documenting in photos what I have been doing. When I get it done, I'd be honored to share some of them with you. Thanks again.

pictures,pictures!just tell them it had 3 rods knocking and non origional paint,and most importantly put this in BIG LETTERS no Z1s or Kz 900-1000s were hurt in the production of this bike and youll be reasonably safe!

wireman wrote:

...just tell them it had 3 rods knocking and non origional paint...

Rods knocking is no excuse. You must repair! Non-original paint though... well, that's punishable by death.
:lol:

Seriously, I'd love to see some progress pics, maybe even some "before" pics to get us going...

Clifftex wrote:

I am about to modify my KZ650 gas tank. I need to cut into it. Is there a solution I can put into it so that the sparks from the cut wheel don't cause the tank to explode in my face?

step#1. place mouth over filler.

step#2. long deap breathes:blink:

Ouch!! Well, I guess I deserve that. My next one will be a restore. Just for the record, this one had a siezed engine, transmission questionable, and in need of a complete rewire. Thanks again guys.

Clifftex wrote:

Ouch!! Well, I guess I deserve that. My next one will be a restore. Just for the record, this one had a siezed engine, transmission questionable, and in need of a complete rewire. Thanks again guys.

most importantly though NO Z1S OR KZ900-1000S were harmed in the making of this project!

if your leaving it open just fill it with water and paint the inside when your done . and we definitely want pics