Leaky fuel tank repair? Know anyone?

[Crackshot]

Hello all, I have an 1150 GSA that has a leak. Do any of you fine people know anyone that could repair such a leak. It’s is coming from behind the bar that bolts the tank on to the frame. Hence I can’t get to it to repair. Would prefer a professional to do it anyway. Any ideas?? I have already thought about the sealant side of things, I would be happy for a professional to do that as I haven’t really got the means at my abode.

 

[steve hughes]

Had a leak on my BSA tank ( as do most classic owners ). Repaired with por15 which looks like old fashioned aluminium paint eg piss thin. Don’t underestimate time to do, as its a three part process and tank must be 100% dry before the final sealant coat.

There are tank sealant firms, Ive seen prices of about £200 all in.

Is it a mechanical hole eg penetration or failure that can be braised or corrosion which I had. Reason for asking is a mechanical hole might be fixable quickly by a local engineering firm.

Could Chris Tunner or Steptoe recommend someone in the area?

 

[mikeyboy]

Most of my experience with sealants has been a massive fail,
Get it welded,hopefully the job can be done without damaging the paint.
The tank will need draining and washing prior to repairing,
I have local contacts but no one in your neck of the woods

 

[DrFarkoff]

Mikey is right, sealants are a pain!

Getting that area "sandblasted" and brazed or Soldered would also be a good option

There must be a strain on it? I've not heard of one leaking in there before, Perhaps a strained spot weld

Anyway flooding the area and sealing it off with solder is a good option it stays fairly flexible

 

[Crackshot]

Thanks for the advice fellas. I had seen the POR15 sealant and am happy to consider it but only if someone else can do it. More for the last resort though I think. It’s very annoying, you can see the slow seepage but I just can’t pinpoint the hole/split/crack. I have a feeling that the tank has been off and when they were putting it down, someone has put it down too hard on the bolt arm and shifted it a bit causing a split. Should add that I’m not worried about the paint so much as the tank is quite tatty looks wise. It could do with a respray too.

 

[DrFarkoff]

Thanks for the advice fellas.

When I was with Serck Marston we sued to repair quite a few fuel tanks (car and truck more than bikes) and that is how we did them So might be worth a word with your local radiator repair company ??

And sand, bead or soda blasting more than anything to remove paint for the solder to bond to the metal

 

[patzx12]

Scrap it and buy a clean s/h tank. You dont want to mess with fuel leaks.

 

[Kenny]

Scrap it and buy a clean s/h tank. You dont want to mess with fuel leaks.

Probably right...will also cost about the same ?

 

[Crackshot]

Probably right...will also cost about the same ?

Haha, that would be the far easier thing to do but £50 for the sealant and maybe £100-150 for someone’s time compared to another (secondhand) tank of £??? Not sure that will be the same! Unless you know somebody with a GSA tank they want to be rid of?

 

[patzx12]

Somone on here may have one. Stick up a wanted ad

 

[Crackshot]

Somone on here may have one. Stick up a wanted ad

Just have though am not holding my breath! Cheers for your words though chaps.

 

[DrFarkoff]

Scrap it and buy a clean s/h tank. You dont want to mess with fuel leaks.

Sorry Pat I do not agree

The 1150 GS Fuel tanks are immensely strong It sounds like this one has a pulled spotweld

I repaired many a tank when I worked with Sercks and Solder is a great medium to do this with

Saves one from the recylcing centre that is going to landfill anyway

 

[DrFarkoff]

Crackshot if you were closer I'd have a shot at it for you !

Check out auto and truck radiator repair centres local to you

Its what they do Dear Boy!

 

[Andi_archer]

If its out of sight did you consider sanding and applying some two pack epoxy to the crack?

 

[Crackshot]

Hello all, I didn’t see that there’d been a couple more replies! I think I’m going to have to get a tank and then repair/sell this one when furnished. Will be on the lookout for one as per wanted advert and will close this thread once sorted.

 

[gog]

you may be best buying a s/h standard size tank, as the adv ones are like hens teeth and when they do come up they are often quite a lot of money. there are only two available on ebay and both are £850, which is obscene.

you can pick up a useable standard tank for £150-£200, and sell it on when you get around to having your adv one repaired. it would at least keep the bike on the road.

 

[Andi_archer]

Se up an email alert on https://www.for-sale.co.uk/