Do you guys think this tank could be fixed? Or if it could be fixed, would it be worth it?
(http://www.meighan.com/bike/tankdamage-sm.jpg)
Here's a larger picture. (http://www.meighan.com/bike/tankdamage.jpg)
Thanks
i think it depends on how fixed you want it, and what you mean by "worth it." it could be fixed, you could pull all those dents out of it, and then try to sand it down and repaint the whole thing, but that would take some time, and probably not look perfect. however, it will be cheaper than buying a new tank. so you have to weigh those options out. i'd personally probably pull the dents out and repaint, but keep an eye on ebay for a cheap tank just in case at the same time. good luck with it.
Quote from: Zarathustrai think it depends on how fixed you want it, and what you mean by "worth it." it could be fixed, you could pull all those dents out of it, and then try to sand it down and repaint the whole thing, but that would take some time, and probably not look perfect. however, it will be cheaper than buying a new tank. so you have to weigh those options out. i'd personally probably pull the dents out and repaint, but keep an eye on ebay for a cheap tank just in case at the same time. good luck with it.
How do you pull out the dents??
Thanks :)
Yeah I'm watching ebay.. I'd rather just get a new one, but it's wayyyy too expensive to buy factory parts.
I would suggest that you check around some cycle salvage places. My tank rusted out from the inside and I got tired of waiting on something to pop up on ebay. //www.cycle-salvage.com is where I found mine. Got a rust free tank for like $150.00 plus shipping. It had a couple of small small dings that got taken care of when I got it painted. I would check with them. Oh and by the way, any good body shop can take care of that dent in your tank and it will look like it never happened.
Stephen
Quote from: destroyerI would suggest that you check around some cycle salvage places. My tank rusted out from the inside and I got tired of waiting on something to pop up on ebay. //www.cycle-salvage.com is where I found mine. Got a rust free tank for like $150.00 plus shipping. It had a couple of small small dings that got taken care of when I got it painted. I would check with them. Oh and by the way, any good body shop can take care of that dent in your tank and it will look like it never happened.
Stephen
I've been checking salvage places, but no luck so far. :(
That's why I'm thinking now maybe I should fix it. I guess I'll keep on watching ebay.
Do not waste your time on fixing the tank. That tank has way to many dents to ever be done for less money than a new tank.
place here near toronto can fix a tank like that painted for less than 300 bucks...
does it leak fuel? dents can be poped out from inside if worked right, but if it doesnt leak, Use it as is untill you can find another in good shape and repaint that one, then send me your dented one so i can practice my dent removal technique.
I am with Blueknyt on this one... leave it, rash makes it less attractive to thieves, and you can ride it just fine. If you crash it again... ok I dont want it to happen to anyone, but if so you are covered. Finally replace it when you spot one cheap... or like I did... fit a different color ... all pieces on it, and keep the original color parts in a box, eventually it will come to you.
Cool.
Srinath.
Another option: Kreem it on the inside to seal; then sand the outside, fill the dents with Bondo, and paint. I tend to think in terms of epoxy, 3M (boat) fairing compound and fiberglass, so that's what occurred to me.
BTW, that's what I'd do to the broken tail plastics too: sand them up good on the outside, give them a coat of epoxy, then tack in-place onto the bike from the back with putty, then lay fiberglass over it and wet-out with epoxy. When 1/4 cured, trim the fiberglass and fill the weave with epoxy. Let cure, sand and paint.
Matte black is the traditional color for such projects :)
I was talking to the guy who did some powder coating for me. He said he does a lot of tanks like that only the guys don't want them fixed because it is like a badge of honour. He just sand blasts them and paints leaving the dents.
Anyway ... it's an option.
Also, here is a website: It may not be worth the cost to ship from Vancouver and also, this is usually done on hard to find classic motorcycle parts.
http://www.execulink.com/~rosst/
Rob
Quote from: Blueknytdoes it leak fuel? dents can be poped out from inside if worked right, but if it doesnt leak, Use it as is untill you can find another in good shape and repaint that one, then send me your dented one so i can practice my dent removal technique.
It's not leaking at all, it just looks ugly :(
Quote from: seshadri_srinathI am with Blueknyt on this one... leave it, rash makes it less attractive to thieves, and you can ride it just fine. If you crash it again... ok I dont want it to happen to anyone, but if so you are covered. Finally replace it when you spot one cheap... or like I did... fit a different color ... all pieces on it, and keep the original color parts in a box, eventually it will come to you.
Cool.
Srinath.
Hah, that's true, no one will want to steal MY ugly bike right now!!
I usually park it on the street, but right now it's so broken I'm storing it at a friends garage (where I'm also planning on doing the repairs) and I chained it to the wall, and she saw it and said "Uh, Meighan, do you REALLY think someone is going to steal that thing right now??" Heh.
Quote from: Rema1000Another option: Kreem it on the inside to seal; then sand the outside, fill the dents with Bondo, and paint. I tend to think in terms of epoxy, 3M (boat) fairing compound and fiberglass, so that's what occurred to me.
Hmm... I could try that, I'm not sure how far I would get, I've never tried to do anything like that before! I guess the best place to start would be to get the dents out, and then see how bad the remaining damage is?
Quote from: Rema1000BTW, that's what I'd do to the broken tail plastics too: sand them up good on the outside, give them a coat of epoxy, then tack in-place onto the bike from the back with putty, then lay fiberglass over it and wet-out with epoxy. When 1/4 cured, trim the fiberglass and fill the weave with epoxy. Let cure, sand and paint.
Matte black is the traditional color for such projects :)
I've found new (used) fairings now for both sides, but maybe I'll try that with my broken ones. They can be my RACING plastics ;)
if its not leaking, leave it alone. Kream is mainly for sealing the inside, bondo is ok for small dents, i wouldnt use too much though, the dents need to be pushed out from inside first. im gonna see if i can make a set of sheet metal "dolly's" that i can put into the fill hole for smoothing out smaller dents.
Quote from: 500riderI was talking to the guy who did some powder coating for me. He said he does a lot of tanks like that only the guys don't want them fixed because it is like a badge of honour. He just sand blasts them and paints leaving the dents.
Anyway ... it's an option.
Also, here is a website: It may not be worth the cost to ship from Vancouver and also, this is usually done on hard to find classic motorcycle parts.
http://www.execulink.com/~rosst/
Rob
Heh, badge of honour... well, hopefully I can find a nice new tank, then have the crushed one as a spare for racing or stunting.
Quote from: MeighanI've found new (used) fairings now for both sides, but maybe I'll try that with my broken ones. They can be my RACING plastics ;)
If you decide to race your GS, you might want to leave the tank the way it is. Just sand the scuffed area and re-paint to keep it from rusting. I did that with my race SV. The paint shade did not match (Toyota paint from my truck) but it was a cheap fix. A rattle can paint job in small areas can look good. After wet sanding you could feel a difference
BTW...Is your painter & mechanic the same person?
Quote from: dgyverQuote from: MeighanI've found new (used) fairings now for both sides, but maybe I'll try that with my broken ones. They can be my RACING plastics ;)
If you decide to race your GS, you might want to leave the tank the way it is. Just sand the scuffed area and re-paint to keep it from rusting. I did that with my race SV. The paint shade did not match (Toyota paint from my truck) but it was a cheap fix. A rattle can paint job in small areas can look good. After wet sanding you could feel a difference
BTW...Is your painter & mechanic the same person?
Heh yeah I need to paint it at least... I don't want it to rust. Right now I have a garbage bag and duct tape covering it up... classy bike!
Nah my mechanic and painter are different guys, which is good since my mechanic left me! (How DARE he take time off to spend time with his kids when MY bike needs help ;))
Oh well.. kinda looking forward to learning how to put my bike all together now anyway.