Tank Tips

Has anyone got any ideas for getting the larger dents out of the tank?

 

An auto body supply store should have a tool for that application. You could make a tool up with curved 1/4" rod with a ball welded to the end. Tap out the dent from the inside.

 

Wow...that's a tough looking tank.
Some of the dent removers spot weld a small stud to the tank to act as a puller and use a small slide hammer to "pull" the dent out. Once you have it as good as you can get it, simply grind the puller stud off flush.

You would still need some body filler, but you'd be a lot closer to the shape you need.

 

perhaps I could use a couple of self tappers & pull on them, I have got to do a lot of lead filling, so a couple of screw holes won't hurt. good call D-M.

 

First one popped right out.

 

The modern way of pulling a Dent out of a Motorcycle Fuel Tank is RENT a Stud Welder System.
You pay to Rent the Tool Kit and for how many Studs you use to do the job.

All you have to do is grind the tank down to bare metal.
Use the Electric Welding Gun to attach (Spot Weld) rivets too the surface.

The Kit comes with a Slugging Hammer that you attach to the Revits you welded on the tank.
Pull-out the Dent using the Slugging Hammer.
Work from the Outside perimeter moving toward the center of the Dent.

Restore the Shape of the Tank as best as you can by doing a succession of Pulls on the damage.
Once the Dent is pulled-out ...
Cut-off the Rivet close to the Weld.

Grind-off the nubs left-behind from the Spot Welded-on Rivet.
No holes in the tank to weld shut that might leak.

http://www.alibaba.com/catalog/10331894 ... owimg.html

 

Ya know Rick, I never thought of it before, but a rotor broach might pull it out.

 

A trick I heard is that studs are attached with epoxy instead of welding.
Makes clean-up easier. (too late now for you Wizard!)

 

Thanks ToR, try to respond quicker. :cry:

 

Wow. I had much bigger dents in mine from my handle bars(plowed thru a corn field). I just filled it in and painted over it.

Thats some knarley rust.

 

I used most of all of your suggestions, plus some lead work, there were a lot of leaks, 2 pack epoxy filler & fine filler, tank now has 3 coats of primer - filler, will get some gas in there & check again for any leaks, then set aside untill all the panels are ready for the finish color.

 

Nice work, looks great.

 

Great job! What did the inside look like?

 

surprisingly good, the corrosion was at the tank badges (well noted for this model) & where the seat overlaps the tank & rubs off the paint.

 

is this going to be a rattle can job?

 

the primer/filler is rattle can, (on expert advise) the finish will 2 pack,
I have bought a "touch up" gun & have had a crash course from the guy at the paint shop, regarding, pressure, % thinners, spray pattern, nozzle size & cleaning, so I am hoping for some pro results 8)

 

that's what i like to hear but if you have anything else to paint i suggest getting a two part primer and using the gun and developing your skills
with primer
the two part primers are so much nicer than even good canned stuff and cheaper too
i used a touch-up gun on my bmw and was surprised how much paint they put out, nothing like a can
when the color says 10 minutes between coats, they mean 10 minutes