Author Topic: Fuel Tank Preservation  (Read 1170 times)

Offline waffey

  • SOHC Member
  • Posts: 192
    • View Profile
Fuel Tank Preservation
« on: February 12, 2018, 07:40:39 PM »
Hi

any suggestions on to clean the inside of the fuel tank before I store it. I'm not intending to get it resprayed for another year or so. I'm still stripping my Honda.

thanks in advance
Bikes:
Triumph Street Twin
Suzuki Address 110 Scooter
Suzuki TL1000s
BMW R1200GS LC
Honda CB400 F2 1977 (restoration underway)

Offline Rob62

  • SOHC Pro
  • Posts: 889
  • ZZR1100D9, CB750K4, RD250F, NSR250MC21, RD350YPVS
    • View Profile
Re: Fuel Tank Preservation
« Reply #1 on: February 12, 2018, 10:06:02 PM »
Have you considered using electrolyte and a sacrificial anode? Can’t remember the precise details as its a few years since i employed the tecchnique on my RD tank.... but basically fill the tank with electrolyte (soda crystals and water solution) suspend a metal coat hanger in the tank through the middle of a plastic bung fashioned from an old oil can lid or similar, to isolate it from the tank. Then connect a battery charger to the tank and the coat hanger (can’t remember which way round) and leave for 24 hours.... you’ll be amazed at the amount of rust that lifts off the inside of the tank and deposits on the coat hanger... Works a treat!

Offline Rob62

  • SOHC Pro
  • Posts: 889
  • ZZR1100D9, CB750K4, RD250F, NSR250MC21, RD350YPVS
    • View Profile
Re: Fuel Tank Preservation
« Reply #2 on: February 12, 2018, 10:08:03 PM »
Ps, you need to remove the petcock and seal the hole iirc..... i think the aluminium alloy will disappear if you leave it on......

Offline waffey

  • SOHC Member
  • Posts: 192
    • View Profile
Re: Fuel Tank Preservation
« Reply #3 on: February 13, 2018, 07:06:27 AM »
thanks Rob62.

I'll YouTube and Google the recipe and have ago
Bikes:
Triumph Street Twin
Suzuki Address 110 Scooter
Suzuki TL1000s
BMW R1200GS LC
Honda CB400 F2 1977 (restoration underway)

Offline AshimotoK0

  • Grogu
  • *
  • Posts: 7352
  • Mad Scientist.... more power Igor ! ٩(̾๏̮̮̃̾๏̃̾)۶
    • View Profile
Re: Fuel Tank Preservation
« Reply #4 on: February 13, 2018, 07:51:54 AM »
I have treated a few tanks like yours (i.e. lightly rusted)with Deox-C. Then you just need to coat with light oil, WD40 or other rest preventive. I think Bilt Hamber may even do a secondary rust preventative product but never used it.

https://www.bilthamber.com/corrosion-protection-and-rust-treatments/deox-c
“Alright friends, you have seen the heavy groups, now you will see morning maniac music. Believe me, yeah. It’s a new dawn.” Grace Slick, Woodstock '69 .. In the year of the Sandcast.

Offline waffey

  • SOHC Member
  • Posts: 192
    • View Profile
Re: Fuel Tank Preservation
« Reply #5 on: February 13, 2018, 07:54:46 PM »
Deox-C ordered. Is it crime once I've used this to pour some engine oil and swill it around for storage. I can wash it out later with petrol
Bikes:
Triumph Street Twin
Suzuki Address 110 Scooter
Suzuki TL1000s
BMW R1200GS LC
Honda CB400 F2 1977 (restoration underway)

Offline AshimotoK0

  • Grogu
  • *
  • Posts: 7352
  • Mad Scientist.... more power Igor ! ٩(̾๏̮̮̃̾๏̃̾)۶
    • View Profile
Re: Fuel Tank Preservation
« Reply #6 on: February 13, 2018, 08:12:54 PM »
Deox-C ordered. Is it crime once I've used this to pour some engine oil and swill it around for storage. I can wash it out later with petrol

Probably not ...I think Honda applied some type of protective oil  to spare part tanks. I think the key is to prevent flash rusting after de-rusting but there is not the same flash rusting with DeOx-C that you get with mineral acids such as  hydrochloric (brick cleaner). Phosphoric acid isn't bad as it phosphates the metal and I think is provided with  some tank liner kits but you won't go far wrong with Deox-C.
“Alright friends, you have seen the heavy groups, now you will see morning maniac music. Believe me, yeah. It’s a new dawn.” Grace Slick, Woodstock '69 .. In the year of the Sandcast.

Offline Trigger

  • Grogu
  • *
  • Posts: 8434
  • Engines built on reputation, not advertising.
    • View Profile
Re: Fuel Tank Preservation
« Reply #7 on: February 13, 2018, 10:13:29 PM »
I fill my tanks with diesel for storage. Once out of storage, drain diesel, rinse out with petrol and it is ready to go  ;)

Offline paul G

  • SOHC Master
  • Posts: 1748
  • No room left in the garage what now !
    • View Profile
Re: Fuel Tank Preservation
« Reply #8 on: February 13, 2018, 10:53:53 PM »
Can I have the diesel when you drain it :D I know .99p a litre ;) ;)
Honda CB400 4
Honda CB550 K3 (sold)
Honda CB750 UK K1
Kawasaki Z650 C2
Kawasaki Z650 cafe racer (Sold)
Honda CD175 sloper

Offline waffey

  • SOHC Member
  • Posts: 192
    • View Profile
Re: Fuel Tank Preservation
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2018, 06:42:00 PM »
the 'after' shot. I let it soak 2 days ;D

that deox-c worked really well. I'm trying an experiment with the remainder, got a bucket of it mixed, dunked in a couple of rusty parts.
Bikes:
Triumph Street Twin
Suzuki Address 110 Scooter
Suzuki TL1000s
BMW R1200GS LC
Honda CB400 F2 1977 (restoration underway)

Offline AshimotoK0

  • Grogu
  • *
  • Posts: 7352
  • Mad Scientist.... more power Igor ! ٩(̾๏̮̮̃̾๏̃̾)۶
    • View Profile
Re: Fuel Tank Preservation
« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2018, 07:29:51 PM »
Glad it worked OK .. it works OK until it goes black. I don't use it for gears etc though.
“Alright friends, you have seen the heavy groups, now you will see morning maniac music. Believe me, yeah. It’s a new dawn.” Grace Slick, Woodstock '69 .. In the year of the Sandcast.

Offline waffey

  • SOHC Member
  • Posts: 192
    • View Profile
Re: Fuel Tank Preservation
« Reply #11 on: February 20, 2018, 07:08:41 AM »
The stuff I emptied of the tank isn't black yet, hence why I'm using it again, as an experiment. I have the air filter holder in which probably needs replacing but I'm interested to see the difference.
Bikes:
Triumph Street Twin
Suzuki Address 110 Scooter
Suzuki TL1000s
BMW R1200GS LC
Honda CB400 F2 1977 (restoration underway)

 

SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal