oil tank help

Hi all just had the lower mount repaired on my oil tank and are now having a hell of a time refitting the tank I can not get the lower bolt lined up So what is the best way to re fit and tips please

I had the threaded portion on the bottom of my oil tank break off about 1 day after buying my MK3. I had it welded back on and reinforced, and then had to jam the oil tank into place and try to get things lined up to fit the bolt. My assessment: there is no easy way of doing it. I took off as much as I thought was prudent to make room, then spent about an hour fiddling with it. The worst part was getting my hand up under the tank. I think I ended up hot gluing the bolt to a dowel (forming a sort of T with the dowel perpendicular to the bolt) and fishing it in from the side with one hand, moving the tank with the other hand, and wrenching it home (socket with a swivel) using my final hand. The moral of the story: have 3 hands and patience.

Hope this help... good luck, that was the single hardest bolt I have ever installed!
-paul

This problem came up on one of the lists a long time ago. Someone mentioned just skipping the bolt at the bottom entirely and putting a rubber pad under the tank, another one behind and in front of the tank. The rubber bung in the cover snugs it in place. I tried it and 30,000mi later it's fine.

I am presuming you had the tank repaired to fix a leak in that location? If so, if you bolt it back up you may encounter the same problem before long.

A number of owners, including me, have eliminated the bottom bolt because of the tendency to crack at that location. I put some sturdy closed cell foam under the tank with a hole cut out where the bolt boss is located. Many tanks crack and leak around the bolt location from vibration when the bolt is used. Eliminating the bolt and placing rubber pads under the tank stops the cracking. The tank is then mounted only with the two top straps. You might want to use better rubber mounts on these too. Some people fit the exhaust isolastic mounts or a HD part, don't know the part number.

I then pit a thin, about 1/4" thick, piece of foam on the outside of the oil tank. Once you mount the oil tank cover, the tank stays put and your problem is solved.

Others when repairing the tank cut off the bolt boss and weld/braze a plate over the bottom area reinforcing it and then doing the rubber mounting described above.

Chris Moore

Another way to do this is make a stud by cutting the head off that bolt and Loctite it into the tank bung. Then guide the stud through the grommet. This method uses the lower mount to keep the bottom of the tank from moving, without the stress from being bolted in.

I solved it on my Commando by making a new tank but these days I'd use Velcro on the bottom instead of a bolt.

thanks all for the advice I have put tank back in with foam under tank and each side and no bottom bolt I will keep my finger crossed and let you know how it goes thanks again

My tank hasn't had a bolt in it for over 30 years, so you are pretty safe.