Motorcycle storage, avoiding gas tank rust

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p400

p400

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I have a couple Norton bikes with steel tanks that need long tern storage and have been ridden up to this point with gasoline at 10% ethanol.
My experience shows that the steel tank will rust inside, some quite a bit others not so much, but rust either way.

I don't want to plastic coat or in fact any type of cream.
So looking for an oil coat or some product meant for this type storage.

I have nice paint on both so not a treatment that will stand a chance of paint damage.

What is typically done for museum storage, such as Barber or others?

Thank you
 
JimC said:
If it were mine I would drain the tank of gasoline and fill to the brim with diesel or kerosene.
Click to expand...
Dont use diesel.
Ive got a endfield diesel bike. The tank failed recently because of pitting corrosion. Diesel is, at least over here, mixed with RME, which tends to be agressive.
 
I have put a couple ounces of two-stroke oil in with the gas (AND Sta-Bil of course) for winter layup, for 30 years works great. Add fresh on top of it in the spring, and BRAAAAAP!!!
 
Cosmoline spray is the only way to go. I've used the rattle can version of military grade RP-342 on guns that have been stored in an unheated garage attic for 15+ years . This was in always damp Western Washington and within a 1/4 mile of the salt effects of Puget Sound. No rust. There's a reason why European motorcycles used to be shipped to North America slathered in this stuff. One of my high school jobs was working in a Norton, Ducati, and Moto Guzzi dealership as the low man on the totem pole. My least favorite duty was removing the Cosmoline from the new bikes. Guzzis had the heaviest coats with Nortons featuring the most hap hazard application by far. I think that Norton gave "Ol' Shaky Nigel" the Cosmoline spray gun after he'd had a particularly hard night. "Give "er the old one two Nige. More is better."
 
no750 said:
Dont use diesel.
Ive got a endfield diesel bike. The tank failed recently because of pitting corrosion. Diesel is, at least over here, mixed with RME, which tends to be agressive.
Click to expand...

That's Bio Diesel in case you don't know what RME means.
 
There you go, two stroke oil as an answer on both the Vincent and Norton forums ( same post there, sub " Vincent" for "Norton".)
The two stroke oil sounds promising and it's easy to do.

I don't do very long term storage, just keeping the tanks full of Chevron Supreme non ethanol in winter has worked well.
How long is long term?

Glen
 
I wish I had done this before I stored mine for 10 years while overseas. I have flushed my tank perhaps 20 times and still there are bits of rust coming out. Two filters in the line. At least it doesnt leak.

I would leave it totally empty and heavily cover the inside with any spray grease type compound that can be disolved out with petrol (or turps metholated spirits etc) some time in future. And I would give it a check and a follow up spray every now and then.

And I would cover the rest of the bike with it as well. That comsoline spray Steve mentioned sounds like a plan !!!!
 
no750 said:
Dont use diesel.
Ive got a endfield diesel bike. The tank failed recently because of pitting corrosion. Diesel is, at least over here, mixed with RME, which tends to be agressive.
Click to expand...


Oops! I was making a guess. Thanks for the correction. Nix the diesel or kerosene.
 
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Steves said:
Diesel and kerosene are hygroscopic, they absorb water from atmosphere.
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Don't leave tank open....to atmosphere...doh

#1 I still would (and do) use north american real diesel or USA heating oil.
Kerosene may be ok for 1 winter it's a bit lighter and evaporates more... not my first choice.
You guys in east atlantic are on your own.
 
Motorcycle storage, avoiding gas tank rust
Just re-read. Long term museum, drain the tank, dry with compressed air, spray grease where you can, it will migrate.
 
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I live on north eastern Atlantic .... keep shed heated in winter ... steel tanks are filled with high test and proper amount of K100 added .... GF tank on Norton is drained and left with open cap .... many years now without any issues ....
 
Empty tank, get some VCI paper and tie some string round it and dangle in tank, put cap back on over string to reduce air flow and locate the VCI paper.
 
kommando said:
Empty tank, get some VCI paper and tie some string round it and dangle in tank, put cap back on over string to reduce air flow and locate the VCI paper.
Click to expand...

So the idea is to crumple it up, shove down in there and try to leave it suspended? It doesn’t break down and leave remnants in the tank when pulling out?

It sounds like an effective technique. Recommendations on how much to use?

And, do you need to change out the paper periodically or does it have a long absorption life?
 
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concours said:
I have put a couple ounces of two-stroke oil in with the gas (AND Sta-Bil of course) for winter layup, for 30 years works great. Add fresh on top of it in the spring, and BRAAAAAP!!!
Click to expand...

I do this as well. Ethanol free gas, Stabil, and 3 ozs of syn 2 stroke oil. I put this in the 25 different bikes I have and it keeps them all rust free inside as well as the petcocks and slides lubed up. And I drain the carbs if the bike isn't to be ridden in a week. I've not had to mess with a fuel system in 20 years doing this.
 
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