CB550 Petrol tank leaking - hairline opening worn in the under side

[zebedee85]

Thanks Oddjob - I'l add to watch list. There is another on ebay which is already primed and ready to go. I will see what the guy says about insurance claims. Ideally he would front the purchase of a new tank, and the respray.

[Tomb]

Well - I took the tank to a recommended welder, having washed it out with soapy water and let it vent for a while.

They have blown it up. (the guy is ok, didn't check for fumes, didn't open the lid, didn't call me to ask for the key to open the top, just took a torch to it).

You are bloody joking right!!!??  And welding a tank with the cap on - without knowing whether it was washed out!!?? REALLY!
This is a wind up surely?

Assuming it did happen what is wrong with the tank? you ask if it can have the bottom cut out and new metal welded in? If the bottom can be cut out, which is possible, then why not straighten it and weld it back in. As said previously, you won't see the repair.

[zebedee85]

I can't believe it either, my first reaction was that I had left fuel in there and that I hadn't sorted it properly. That's not fair though, he should have checked everything.

I am going down there at 5. I'll know the situation soon enough. The damage depends largely on the amount of fumes I suppose. The guy said the bang was enough to give him ringing in the ears, and says the bottom of the tank is 'completely f'cked'. I'm expecting the worst, where the bottom is blown out and the sides buckled upwards (well downwards relative to the correct tank orientation) and outwards.

[hairygit]

There's this one at DK, so at least it's in the U.K., not pretty, but will get you going, or you can fill and paint it first. E Bay number  332198702442

[zebedee85]

The guy is going to look for spares and discuss the insurance. He is suggesting I didn't wash it out well enough basically which is immaterial. Risk is on them. Ill keep amd eye on the usual suspects, there seems to be a swiss specialist on eebs. Bit risky though. Ill post pics later when I can resize.

[Trigger]

Is it a CB550K or a CB550F, I'm presuming it's the F model but at a pinch you can fit the 500 style tank to it but you also need to change the seat to the 500 one as well. Just an idea in case your struggling to find an F type tank.

Just found this, looks ok and reasonably priced.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GAS-TANK-HONDA-CB550F-CB550-CB-550-F-SUPER-SPORT-FUEL-CELL-/382213539953?hash=item58fdb3c871:g:mPEAAOSwCkZZVrhb

Never seen one with that lip around the filler hole, was it a requirement for the Canadian market .

[mike the bike]

I couldn't believe it either.  If there were no petrol fumes in the tank it would still be unwise to weld it with the filler cap on because the air is going to expand.  That's how people win Darwin awards.

http://www.darwinawards.com/darwin/

[Green1]

What iv learnt recently is treat everyone as incompetent and full of bull. Hold there hand every step of the way.
When I read they welded it with the cap on I also thought you where joking 

[matthewmosse]

What a numpty! I've gas welded a land rover tank before now, not to mention cut up a few oil tanks with a plasma cutter, first thing I did on every occasion was open every vent, verify emptiness and setup away from anything that might also burn - right out in the yard, not in the shed at all. Not removing the cap, oh dear. I guess this makes tank sealer more tempting an option.

[AshimotoK0]

Oh sh*t ..Thank God he wasn't hurt. Don't you just hate entrusting  other people with your rare parts. Hope you find something suitable to replace it.

BTW Graham ... Quote of the week "The old myth then Ash"

[Ashdowner]

Which model bike do you have because not all 550 tanks are the same size? There are some on ebay but none of them are cheap. Supply and demand I'm afraid.

[Trigger]

Did spot this one, maybe the vendor will do you a BIN price >>> http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB-550-K-Petrol-Tank-/263189194643?hash=item3d474c6793:g:zV8AAOSwmPdZrwJu

[zebedee85]

I have a CB550F1 - I believe the F and later K's to be the same but I could be wrong.

I'd go for this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB-550-K-Petrol-Tank-/263189194643?hash=item3d474c6793:g:zV8AAOSwmPdZrwJu if it weren't for the fact that I'm waiting to find out if the guy is gong to find me a replacement and pay for it. It all gets a bit complicated. Or I could just buy this and spend me own money and forget it. Not ideal though.

[Trigger]

Make sure that they are not bidding against you, as he won't find a good replacement that easy. Don't let the muppet  get away with it, any good welder would know not to weld any sealed container.

[florence]

I've lead soldered a tank before with a blow torch but left the lid open.  I put the empty tank out in the sun for a few days with lid open and to check, put my nose in the hole before I started.  All fuel had evaporated.  Do not use detergent, it can form an emulsion with the residual fuel and trap it into the container rather than wash it out.

Also, I have sucessfully repaired a leaking seam on a tank with araldite, it seems completely inpervious to petrol.

No one should apply heat to a sealed box.  Perhaps they are too young to remember what a steam engine is.  I hope you are properly compensated.