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01-09-2019, 08:17 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Powys
Bike: M900
Posts: 334
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Tank repair - any ideas please?
Hi all,
As Mike has just posted I’ve got snags with the fuel tank on my Monstro. There’s a area about the size of my thumb nail that is leaking. It seems that the metal has just gone ‘soft’ not dissimilar to a chewing gum, and the fuel kind of oozes through. (I’ll try and post pictures shortly.) It’s not near a seam, but just in front of the seat (where a tank pad would be). I’ve looked on the evil bay and tanks seem to be in the range of £100-£200 - but seem dented and (leak excepted) no better or worse condition than what I’ve got. Another option would be to get the whole tank repaired / resprayed alongside the mudguard and seat cowl (if I can find it, it’s not been seen post house move). Any ideas please? |
01-09-2019, 09:17 PM | #2 |
Too much time on my hands member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Forest Of Dean
Bike: S2r
Posts: 3,206
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You sure it's not rusted through from the inside?
That would make it a bit soft as it would be very thin so don't go pushing too hard. If you can get a repair done make sure that they have a good look around the hinge area which is one of those prone to failure areas due to water in the tank. This is much more of a problem now with that evil ethanol in fuel. Good luck with the mending/replacement
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"The final measure of any rider's skill is the inverse ratio of his preferred Traveling Speed to the number of bad scars on his body." Song of the sausage creature |
01-09-2019, 10:20 PM | #3 |
Pleasantly surprised!
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Stoke on Trent
Bike: M900ie
Posts: 780
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You need to first find out why it is leaking. Is it an old repair that was done with epoxy fillers? If so the old repair will need to be removed before anything can be done. its impossible to repair old expoxy that has degraded by fuel contact; it needs to be totally removed. Can you see inside the tank, or do you have one of those viewer/ cams to allow you to see?
If the tank is leaking because it has developed "pin holes" rust you might be able to apply POR PATCH directly to the pin holes from the inside. I Here is a link to their US site for info. https://www.por15.com/POR-15-Patch-F...nd-Seam-Sealer You can buy this on eBay or Amazon. I have used it myself and it really does work. As far as I know it is the only product that is fuel resistant -though others claim to be... Its easy to place in the right area as it has the consistency of silicone. Are you actually able to reach the area that leaks through the filler hole? If not find someone with smaller hands? Be sure to wear protective gloves as POR PATCH is not harmful, but it is difficult to get off your skin. Once dry, it is hard as steel and will give the thin metal reinforcement. It sounds as it the exterior is currently in good shape. If I were in your shoes I would apply Helicopter transparent tape made by 3M to ensure it stays exactly as it is now - also available on eBay. Place the Heli tape as you would a tank saver, bearing in mind that it is going to be there permanently. Then provided you can see its just rust causing the problem, and you can reach it (from inside) put POR PATCH over the area and leave it for at least six days to set. I hope all this makes sense. Its hard to envisage fully your situation without seeing it first hand. Get all the fuel out first and leave the tank a day to dry out fully to be on the safe side. Co incidently I am selling a slightly dented & scratched 2002ie tank. A friend has first refusal and I gave him a week to decide which is up next Saturday. It is in usuable condition but you would want to get it painted at some point. It came off my own bike so I know it does not leak at all and has no rust anywhere. Still these Monster tanks vary considerably in the way they are shaped underneath so I don't know whether it is suitable for your bike! Drop me a PM if you have any questions, and goodluck.
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Monsters don't hide under the bed, they sleep inside the shed Last edited by Jez900ie; 02-09-2019 at 07:42 AM.. |
02-09-2019, 06:32 AM | #4 |
Gold Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: lincoln
Bike: No Bike Yet!
Posts: 876
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This would be a better solution, used it on a race tank for a 600ss;
https://www.rust.co.uk/product/tank-re-new-kit-21 |
02-09-2019, 10:21 AM | #5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Chatham
Bike: Multiple Monsters
Posts: 714
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Having done a few weld repairs to Ducati tanks I'd urge you to decide if the tank needs metalwork before applying a liquid fix or sealer.
I've had a couple where fixes were attempted in this way and it causes problems,nothing that can't be worked around but in one case it took ages to clean up the metal around the repair to avoid contaminating the weld. Trying to remove an epoxy like finish without further thinning the already thin metal though a small hole in the tank is not fun and will cost an arm and a leg if you're paying a professional to spend the time. I'd start by draining the tank and get a good look at the area from the inside, you might need to get a cheap inspection mirror and torch/light source you trust not to ignite the petrol vapor to see around the inside of the tank though the filler hole. If it is going off for welding strip the parts off the tank, filler cap, pump e.t.c. so it is as open as possible and leave it somewhere warm and well ventilated and away from ignition sources (outside in nice warm sunny weather is good) for at least a week before handing it over to someone and warn them that it is a used tank that has and may still contain fuel no matter how obvious that might seem.
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02-09-2019, 12:33 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Powys
Bike: M900
Posts: 334
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Thanks all! I’ll be taking it to bits shortly!
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06-09-2019, 04:13 PM | #7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Powys
Bike: M900
Posts: 334
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Right. The tank is now stripped and I haven’t learned a deal more as I can’t see inside. What I have learned however is that people seem reluctant to apply a welding torch to a metal can containing a potential petrol vapour...
I’ve taken it to my local trusted independent Ducati specialist. He’s going to have a look inside with his camera, then, subject to the inside not resembling a rusty mess braze up the hole and make it tight again. He agrees that the rest of the tank seems (from a visual external inspection at least) ok so I’m thinking / hoping it’ll be ok. From there it’s going straight to a spray company he recommends and getting resprayed. There’s a few imperfections as well as the leak site so it’s all being done. If he agrees that’s it’s viable I’m going to drop off the mudguard (bought second hand to replace one that decided to make its own way down the A69) and the seat cowl to be done at the same time. My only concern is I’ll end up with decent (hopefully!) painted parts but a shabby frame, engine and it’ll look odd at best, ridiculous at worst! |
06-09-2019, 04:49 PM | #8 |
Too much time on my hands member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Shipbourne
Bike: M900
Posts: 1,422
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Nothing for it really, just a complete strip and total refresh ??????
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06-09-2019, 05:53 PM | #9 |
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Powys
Bike: M900
Posts: 334
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That’s about it. I could have left the repaired bit I sprayed I suppose but that would look daft - dafter even than immaculately sprayed red tank and mudguard on a tatty bike I think!
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06-09-2019, 06:40 PM | #10 |
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Posts: n/a
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be careful
......easy Ian, this could be the start of something big..... look what happened to Luddite, and he aint finished yet !!
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06-09-2019, 07:40 PM | #11 |
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Powys
Bike: M900
Posts: 334
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06-09-2019, 10:08 PM | #12 |
Pleasantly surprised!
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Stoke on Trent
Bike: M900ie
Posts: 780
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Monsters don't hide under the bed, they sleep inside the shed |
06-09-2019, 11:18 PM | #13 |
Lord of the Rings
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Norwich
Bike: M900sie
Posts: 5,963
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Carby tanks have a less generous filler opening than the ie bikes though.
When Monsters went to injection, an extra ring was added to the filler cap and the aperture opened so the pump would in, along with the filter and a portion of your arm.
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07-09-2019, 06:30 AM | #14 |
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Powys
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I removed the filler cap and it made very little difference to access, sadly.
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07-09-2019, 06:48 PM | #15 | ||
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Chatham
Bike: Multiple Monsters
Posts: 714
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Quote:
Quote:
Should the repair be more than they want to attempt and if the tank is essentially scrap at that point let me know and if we can get it down hear to Kent I can take a look. I'm not a professional and would do my best but I don't want to damage an otherwise repairable tank if I run out of skill.
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Sideways is the new forward! Last edited by BigOz; 07-09-2019 at 06:59 PM.. |
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