Thumper Club Forum

Technical => Bike Problems/Questions => Topic started by: timbo on February 06, 2015, 08:53:57 PM

Title: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: timbo on February 06, 2015, 08:53:57 PM
One of the XBR tanks I have just stripped has a few small holes. There is evidence of previous repair. I don't want to go down the tank sealer route. Anyone any ideas? Should I get it soldered, brazed?
Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: Moto63 on February 06, 2015, 09:26:49 PM
Evening Tim , try looking up www.frost.co.uk they do a comprehensive body soldering kit, all you,ll need is a blow torch. Cheers Michael
Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: timbo on February 06, 2015, 10:38:26 PM
Thanks Michael, I'll look into it. Just exploring my options at the mo.
Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: Propellor on February 07, 2015, 09:48:01 AM
One of the XBR tanks I have just stripped has a few small holes. There is evidence of previous repair. I don't want to go down the tank sealer route. Anyone any ideas? Should I get it soldered, brazed?

I cant answer your question, but, given your previous exploits with chemicals, maybe you can answer mine. Is araldite resistant to petrol?

I'm hoping it is because I've just repaired a pinhole in my 250rs tank. Worrying thing is, it's right in the family jewels area!

Anyone tried this? Repairing tanks with araldite that is, not splashing petrol over ones gonads. (Although if you've tried that and it turns out to be nice, let me know)  ;D
Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: Dick Scratcher on February 07, 2015, 10:38:37 AM
One of the XBR tanks I have just stripped has a few small holes. There is evidence of previous repair. I don't want to go down the tank sealer route. Anyone any ideas? Should I get it soldered, brazed?

I cant answer your question, but, given your previous exploits with chemicals, maybe you can answer mine. Is araldite resistant to petrol?

I'm hoping it is because I've just repaired a pinhole in my 250rs tank. Worrying thing is, it's right in the family jewels area!

Used to be able to buy a 'dedicated' fuel tank repair compound, dunno if it's still available....Google it.

Anyone tried this? Repairing tanks with araldite that is, not splashing petrol over ones gonads. (Although if you've tried that and it turns out to be nice, let me know)  ;D
Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: Propellor on February 07, 2015, 06:07:12 PM
One of the XBR tanks I have just stripped has a few small holes. There is evidence of previous repair. I don't want to go down the tank sealer route. Anyone any ideas? Should I get it soldered, brazed?

I cant answer your question, but, given your previous exploits with chemicals, maybe you can answer mine. Is araldite resistant to petrol?

I'm hoping it is because I've just repaired a pinhole in my 250rs tank. Worrying thing is, it's right in the family jewels area!

Used to be able to buy a 'dedicated' fuel tank repair compound, dunno if it's still available....Google it.

Anyone tried this? Repairing tanks with araldite that is, not splashing petrol over ones gonads. (Although if you've tried that and it turns out to be nice, let me know)  ;D

Cheers DS.
Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: Oldtimer on February 08, 2015, 07:26:02 PM
Araldite IS resistant to petrol!
Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: guest295 on February 09, 2015, 06:40:23 AM
Epoxy is resistant to petrol, although I would prefer a higher-quality product like WEST System resin and glass fabric.
Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: Propellor on February 09, 2015, 07:18:53 AM
Thanks guys.
Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: timbo on February 09, 2015, 10:28:34 AM
Yes, having done a bit of research on this subject, I'm going to go down the araldite route, so thanks for your help guys. Where the pinholes are located, I'm going to tap that area in with a hammer to create a small dent, so the araldite will fill the dent and can then be smoothed off with the surrounding area. I'm not going to paint beyond the primer stage, until I'm satisfied the repair is petrol tight.  :)
Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: tommy on February 09, 2015, 08:05:50 PM
hi  I put chemical metal  in a couple of pin holes in a gsx tank
its had petrol in it now for about 3 weeks so far so good no leaks
tommy
Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: timbo on February 09, 2015, 09:27:44 PM
Hi Tommy, was it JB Weld? That's another product I'd thought of. Let us all know how the gixer tank does in the long term  :)
Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: themoudie on February 11, 2015, 12:24:13 AM
Aye timbo,

Not the same I know, but after making some good chutney and leaving it to 'mature' in an aluminium jelly pan, said pan developed pin prick holes!  ??? Aceatic acid!  :o

Quote from the dreaded Wicki P "Vinegar is a liquid consisting mainly of acetic acid (CH3COOH) and water. The acetic acid is produced by the fermentation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria."

So, as you can see the added ingredient of 'petrol' may turn to vinegar in your tank like an opened unfinished bottle of Beaujolly! I know, that's anathama to many on this site!  ;)

Anyway, as we were living 16miles from the nearest ironmongers and had a glut of apples to make into more chutney, the pan was filled with water and every water drop on the outside of the pan marked with a soft pencil. The pan was then dried off, given a wee dink with a ball pein hammer on the outside of each hole and then the holes were filled with 'JB weld'. The pan was then sat on the 'Carron' stove, like a 'Rayburn', and warmed for 24 hours. 32 years later we are still making jam, jelly, marmalade and chutney in it and the JB hasn't budged!  ;D

Just don't leave the contents in the tank to corrode it, drink it or ride it dry!  ::)

Good health to you all, Bill
Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: tommy on February 11, 2015, 12:37:28 AM
hi tim yeah it was jb weld its a spare tank off my gsx 1100 so im using it as a bit of a trial and error type thing
if it holds up im planning to seal the tank with a product  I got  called kreem fuel thank liner kit im thinking if its sealed from the inside and outside should be leak proof
kreem say their product is ethanol safe 


ps has any body used any of these vinyl  wrap products a carbon fiber xbr might be neat (maybe)  tommy
Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: timbo on February 13, 2015, 09:35:07 PM
So far, I'm impressed with the araldite, or should I say the time and effort Alison has put into trying to save this tank  ;)
Hi Propellor, the last of my worries is petrol leaking round my crown jewels, my trousers have totally disintigrated around that area, and the only thing i can put it down to is my hydochloric acid tank washing  :-\
I'm not sure Tommy, about an XBR in a carbon fibre wrap, but my cousin lives in Castlemartyr, and her fella does wraps for a living, so you never know  ;)
Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: Propellor on February 13, 2015, 09:54:56 PM
Aye timbo,

Not the same I know, but after making some good chutney and leaving it to 'mature' in an aluminium jelly pan, said pan developed pin prick holes!  ??? Aceatic acid!  :o

Quote from the dreaded Wicki P "Vinegar is a liquid consisting mainly of acetic acid (CH3COOH) and water. The acetic acid is produced by the fermentation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria."

So, as you can see the added ingredient of 'petrol' may turn to vinegar in your tank like an opened unfinished bottle of Beaujolly! I know, that's anathama to many on this site!  ;)

Anyway, as we were living 16miles from the nearest ironmongers and had a glut of apples to make into more chutney, the pan was filled with water and every water drop on the outside of the pan marked with a soft pencil. The pan was then dried off, given a wee dink with a ball pein hammer on the outside of each hole and then the holes were filled with 'JB weld'. The pan was then sat on the 'Carron' stove, like a 'Rayburn', and warmed for 24 hours. 32 years later we are still making jam, jelly, marmalade and chutney in it and the JB hasn't budged!  ;D

Just don't leave the contents in the tank to corrode it, drink it or ride it dry!  ::)

Good health to you all, Bill

Bill, do you have the molecular symbol fir JB weld? Failing that, the quantum number should do. ;D

As for the bo jolly, I couldn't pissibly comint.
Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: Propellor on February 13, 2015, 09:57:55 PM
Oh, by the wAy.

CHEERS!
Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: themoudie on February 13, 2015, 11:15:24 PM
Aye, Propeller,

And this years Seville orange marmalade on toasted, buttered hot cross buns, with thick cocoa, afore sliding down 'sheet alley' after a day working on "Morini the Minx" is really tasty.  ;)

Slainte!  ;D

Bill

Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: Propellor on February 14, 2015, 02:05:45 PM
Aye, Propeller,

And this years Seville orange marmalade on toasted, buttered hot cross buns, with thick cocoa, afore sliding down 'sheet alley' after a day working on "Morini the Minx" is really tasty.  ;)

Slainte!  ;D

Bill

Talkin of morini's, check out the recent video on rocket garage. That guy sure ain't showing that poor morini any mercy!
Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: themoudie on February 15, 2015, 12:36:49 AM
Aye Propeller,

 ;D OH! to bide there, just a lovely man, with some very nice wee bits of kit! Bellissimo!  ;D

Bill
Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: tommy on February 26, 2015, 10:20:48 PM
hi  I put chemical metal  in a couple of pin holes in a gsx tank
its had petrol in it now for about 3 weeks so far so good no leaks

week 5 its leaking doh :'( :'(
so don't use chemical metal folks  tommy
Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: timbo on February 27, 2015, 10:33:48 AM
Sorry to hear that you've sprung a leak Tommy  :'( but thanks for letting us know.
Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: tommy on February 27, 2015, 08:08:02 PM
I think I will try araldite next  tommy
Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: timbo on March 01, 2015, 12:36:45 AM
Unfortuneatly I can't give positive feedback on the araldite, as I'm still waiting on Alison to primer the tank before any fuel goes in  :-\
Title: Re: Repairing pin holes in a tank
Post by: timbo on July 08, 2015, 12:49:08 PM
Ok, just thought id drag this old thread back up. I can confirm that araldite definitely isn't modern petrol proof. It lasted about three weeks before the petrol ate it and it lifted off in big flakes. So following Tommys previous post, we can now confirm that neither JB Weld or Araldite is a permenant petrol tank repair  :( So im going to explore the brazing or silver solder route, as I now have four leaky xbr tanks to fix  :(