Tanks again
- Thread starter PJFlynn
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Removing the old liner is a matter of finding the correct solvent; other members of this forum may have relevant first-hand experience.
My concerns would be that any solvent that can remove the liner can, most likely, injure/dissolve the fiberglass. I believe that I read on the forum about someone that cut out the bottom of the fiberglass tank and was able to mechanically remove and reinstall a new liner. In any case you will most likely end up painting the tank.
When you consider the time and low likelihood of success, never mind the inherent dangers of working with and storing the solvents a steel tank should become a highly attractive option.
My concerns would be that any solvent that can remove the liner can, most likely, injure/dissolve the fiberglass. I believe that I read on the forum about someone that cut out the bottom of the fiberglass tank and was able to mechanically remove and reinstall a new liner. In any case you will most likely end up painting the tank.
When you consider the time and low likelihood of success, never mind the inherent dangers of working with and storing the solvents a steel tank should become a highly attractive option.
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Indeed. It's time to bite the bullet.
grandpaul
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Unless you have the skills and equipment, or know of someone who does, to cut open the bottom, physically strip the inside surface bare, properly treat and seal coat the inside, then bond the bottom back onto the tank without disturbing the seal coating along the bonded edge, it's likely your cost would be less to buy a reproduction steel tank. Some of them are nicely made and hardly recognizable as non-original.
lcrken
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As RoadScholar said, it might just be a matter of finding the right solvent for the liner. Back when the only liner readily available was Kreem, it was pretty simple to just dissolve it out with acetone. I'm not sure what you use for other, more modern liners, but the manufacturer should be able to tell you. If the liner is epoxy based, I'm not sure you could strip it without also stripping out a lot of the original polyester resin. Probably someone on the forum knows more about that than I do.
As others have pointed out, the real answer is a new steel tank, but the cost of a new tank and professional painting is typically around $1,000. You've already said that a new one is not in your budget. If it's a matter of making the existing tank work or not riding, you might as well experiment. Even if it only lasts a season, that's better than not riding.
Google is your friend. I think we have already discussed this issue in great detail in other threads.
Ken
As others have pointed out, the real answer is a new steel tank, but the cost of a new tank and professional painting is typically around $1,000. You've already said that a new one is not in your budget. If it's a matter of making the existing tank work or not riding, you might as well experiment. Even if it only lasts a season, that's better than not riding.
Google is your friend. I think we have already discussed this issue in great detail in other threads.
Ken
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If your goal to ride then find a source for non-ethanol poisoned fuel, it is available in almost all states and many countries, install some good quality fuel filters and have at it. If non-ethanol fuel is not available try 100 octane low lead aviation fuel, it may actually cost you a smidge of performance and it isn't cheap, but both options will not harm the liner or the tank.
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If you go to your bank and say I need money to buy a new gastank for my 45 yr. old motorbike they will chuckle and offer you money to buy a brand new motorbike. That's how life is. :roll:
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I re-coated my fibreglass tank with a phenolic resin but it cracked and delaminated after a couple years. I wanted to stick with the glass tank so I decided to re-coat, again with the phenolic and again from the same company (Caswell Canada offered a free replacement kit).
In order to remove and loosen the old liner, I poked and prodded as much as I could, then spun the tank for 1/2 hour with some dry wall screws inside (count them), thus loosening and scarring the inner surface. Clean/rinse/dry thoroughly. The second coating looks okay so far but time will tell if the phenolic is the way to go. If it fails again, it will be time for a steel tank.
Check out Caswell products.
In order to remove and loosen the old liner, I poked and prodded as much as I could, then spun the tank for 1/2 hour with some dry wall screws inside (count them), thus loosening and scarring the inner surface. Clean/rinse/dry thoroughly. The second coating looks okay so far but time will tell if the phenolic is the way to go. If it fails again, it will be time for a steel tank.
Check out Caswell products.
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Stock fiberglass 45 yr.old gas tanks should be reserved for show purposes like a show n' shines or vintage display meets. Think about WHY they were outlawed from future productions. Money comes and money goes . There are some nicely made steel or aluminum ones out there now . Free advice. :wink:
I am not sure if I am doing this right,but I cut the bottom of a tank out 2 years ago and it came out great.I will be glad to answer any questions for you.I am in NJ and a very slow typer ,let me know if I can help you.My email is wa2swo@hotmail.comRoadScholar said:
DogT
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I wouldn't put any money into a glass tank other than to use it for non-ethanol gas. A new steel tank is a good bet if you want to use the bike for real.
Yes, I don't know why aceaceca is lucky enough to use his glass tank without problems. I've heard him say this many times before. Do you drain it after using? Do you let ethanol gas sit in it for any length of time? I use ethanol free in mine, I'm not going to chance it, plus I don't get it out past where I have to use ethanol.
Yes, I don't know why aceaceca is lucky enough to use his glass tank without problems. I've heard him say this many times before. Do you drain it after using? Do you let ethanol gas sit in it for any length of time? I use ethanol free in mine, I'm not going to chance it, plus I don't get it out past where I have to use ethanol.
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