Hole in gas tank

[GT Eye]

Hey guys,

My friend is about to buy a used 1994 GS500. It's $1000 and in great mechanical shape (supposedly). There is on caveat though - and it is a penny sized hole on the bottom of the tank. The gas leaks out slowly (in drips), so the bike is rideable. Obviously, should my friend buy the bike he would like to fix the hole. Is there anything he can do to fix the hole, short of buying a new tank?

Thanks!

[Mr.7]

I am no expert but there has to better buys out there than that.

[RVertigo]

I know it can be fixed, but not sure how much it would cost.  I think Srinath has done a few fixes like this...

[The Buddha]

Yea and its no picnic ... There have been many problems ...
First welding and pressure testing ... then remember weld tends to rust faster and makes the area right by the weld most suseptible cos its thinner ... at a minimim weld it and then paint outside and coat inside ... and coating involves a acid etch ... whihc will most likely reveal/create more holes remember that the whole tank rusts at the same pace about ... and 1 hole means there is ample opportunity for many more spots that will havce deteriorated to that point ... acid and pressure test will punch through ... or using it will make it go through in a few months ... Been there done that on tanks that were supossedly only pin holed ... the GS tank design is just plain stoopid ... so get one with no or minimal rust ...
Cool.
Srinath.

[NightRyder]

Gah, I cant believe no one told the real way to fix it. Duct tape! .. You might have to replace it every 2 miles though.  :mrgreen:  :lol:

but seriously, I would say a new tank is in order.

Edit, and if the bike is a '94 and has a leak... I would probably stray away.

[Badger]

Gah, I cant believe no one told the real way to fix it. Duct tape! .. You might have to replace it every 2 miles though.  :mrgreen:  :lol:

Nah...what you need is some pliers, and a set of 30 weight ball bearings (it's all ball bearings these days).  And about 10 quarts of antifreeze, preferably Prestone...no...make that Quaker State.

[Chuck]

... it is a penny sized hole on the bottom of the tank. The gas leaks out slowly (in drips), so the bike is rideable.

Uhmm... just curious... what size is the hole?  A penny (US currency) is about 3/4 inch in diameter.  If you have a 3/4in. hole in the bottom of the gas tank I'd expect it to drain all your fuel in about 10 seconds.

[NightRyder]

... penny sized hole

A penny is about 3/4 inch in diameter.  I'd expect it to drain all your fuel in about 10 seconds.

These are penneys from gulliver's travels. They are about the size of a grain of sand.  :lol:

[Jake D]

Do a search for Kreem.  

Shake, shake, shake!!!

Shake, shake, shake!!!

[jbeaber]

Get a new gas tank!  My girlfriend has been having all sorts of drama about gas tanks and it is not worth repairing them or buying a repaired one.
http://www.uneedapart.com/index.php
Go to that site, fill out the form and you will be much better off.  We got a gas tank for her SV for $265 shipped.  It is in great condition, just a couple scratches in the paint that won't matter once it has been repainted....

[Mr.7]

These are penneys from gulliver's travels. They are about the size of a grain of sand.

:lol:  :lol:  :lol:  I wish I would have thought of that
Thats funny right there

[WREX]

http://cgi.ebay.ca/GS500-Gas-Tank-New_W0QQitemZ4579405378QQcategoryZ35560QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

it's for the F's so your friend would have seat alingment issues, but sounds like it's mint, and current price (in Canadian dollars) seems pretty good.