HarleyTechTalk

Technical Forums => General => Topic started by: chas on March 29, 2024, 03:55:09 AM

Title: peeling inside gas tank
Post by: chas on March 29, 2024, 03:55:09 AM
Hi All- I noticed some large flakes of tank liner beginning to fall off. Anybody have a product they used to cream the tank and was successful? I did it to another bike years ago and it worked good,but cant remember the name of it. Many thanks in advance.- Chas
Title: Re: peeling inside gas tank
Post by: Inda Win on March 29, 2024, 05:29:36 AM
I must be getting old, because when I first saw the subject I thought it said "peeing inside gas tank".  :SM:
Title: Re: peeling inside gas tank
Post by: bump on March 29, 2024, 07:12:50 AM
I did a tank that sat for 10 years with gas in it. Inside was full of crud and the liner was peeling off. I out about 2 handfuls of machine nuts in tank with kerosene, then skook it until my arms about fell off. Didn't do much. I then out in 1 lb drywall screws in tank then set this up.

IMG_0162 - frame at 0m2s.jpg

Let it run like that for about 2 hrs then cleaned out tank. It worked very well cleaning tank. Then I used Por 15 Fuel tank sealer. Tank doesn't leak now.
Title: Re: peeling inside gas tank
Post by: chas on March 29, 2024, 07:57:06 AM
great idea!
Title: Re: peeling inside gas tank
Post by: motorhogman on March 29, 2024, 09:17:29 AM
This is what I used back in the day when I had a radiator repair shop. Worked great,.. Goofy video.. I know. 
Title: Re: peeling inside gas tank
Post by: hattitude on March 29, 2024, 10:46:10 AM
My 2001 Springer I bought used in 2017, had the liner peel.

I did a bunch of research and it seemed no matter what liner you used: Red Kote, Kreem, KBS tank sealer, or POR-15 fuel tank restoration, there are people who had the new liner peel again. I'm sure it was probably a prep issue, but it showed me that nothing is bullet proof.

There was a motorcycle tank restorer service just an hour drive north of me. I contacted them for a quote and information, but never got a response.

So I decided to clean up the peeling liner the best I could, and just run it about 90% bare metal.. That was 7 years ago, and it still has no issues.

There are no other peeling liner pieces and the bare metal shows no rust. I do usually keep it between full and half full, ride it regularly, and live in a the dry SoCal climate..

To clean it, I took some #4 birdshot and put it in the tank. I wrapped the tank in bubble wrap, then in a thick comforter (or two, can't remember). I wedged it in the drier (it was jammed in there pretty good, no movement) and put it on a a slow spin, air-dry cycle.  I forget the length of time, but the shot wore off all the loose liner, and left only a small amount of liner in the bottom/creases of the tank.

Title: Re: peeling inside gas tank
Post by: JW113 on March 29, 2024, 03:01:12 PM
Just as motorhogman said, I take mine to my local radiator shop. They knock all that crap and rust out then apply Redcoat. In fact, am just about to take the tanks from my '77 down there, now that is raining.

-JW
Title: Re: peeling inside gas tank
Post by: JSD on March 30, 2024, 06:08:12 PM
I used a chemical called kEM that "Potty mouth" in crazy with in a hour the gas cap rubbers were gone. Then I used vinegar. Then the 3 step KBS on my 68 tanks