SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB500/550

pin hole in fuel tank

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neat street:
Thank you all for your comments, this gives food for thought. each proccess is not easy (maybe the welding is the simplest) the tank is compltetly clean inside from days left in white vinegar, presure washed, then done again, so surpised at the result being so good, this is how I found the leak, over last two days 1/2 a gallon lost. The leak is comming from the back of the tank where the seam is at the `top` underside, I did place some diesel with a small amount of oil to keep away flash rust after the pressure wash, so not too much of a problem to de-grease/clean out the tank again if I decide to use a sealer. I will let you know which way I go and the results. whichever way, everything has to be `very clean` for best results. As you will note, no chance of any fuel vapour issues.

K2-K6:
Sounds like no real risk in regard to heating it for weld etc.

If itdid have petrol fumes though, just blowing a car exhaust into it effectively neutralize anything of atmospheric nature within to make it safe.

Welding, if it's rusting and thinned out on a plain panel section, usually melting (steel welding) will likely chase out a rabbit warren of holes as it can be very thin, making it "delicate" to control the heat path.

Ordinarily, fuel tanks are leaded to fix the pinholes, this being well bellow the melt heat needs of welding. Usually quite simple with clean surface and decent fluxing. This is ordinarily the least intrusive method of fixing if reasonably available.

mickwinf:
I had pin holes on my 500, solder works but mine had some holes under the reinforcing plates so not accessable. I used a sealer and seems to be holding up ok a year later.

neat street:
Thanks again for the up-dates, I think I will try lead first and see how that works, then..... if that fails. :-)

florence:
I had a pin hole in my tank.  Sadly, when trying to clean it, with a view to soldering, it just got bigger and bigger.  I tried to solder on a patch but it was not successful.  In the end, I had to put on an early 750 tank; it was much too expensive to find a decent 500 or 550 tank.  The old tank is still in my workshop in the 'not sure whether I should throw this out' pile.

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