Restoring a YELLOW '87 VFR700F2H

VTR250s rock.

My '98 tank looks "wicked dahk" inside, but it run fine and I've left it be. Too many horror stories about ruined tanks from coatings. I just keep them topped up and ride them.

 

Yesterday I made a Walmart run and bought out what was on their shelf of White Vinegar. 11 gallons.

Today I emptied out the Yellow bike's tank and refilled with vinegar. I took off the bottom plate and sprayed inside really well before re-filling. Will let it sit a couple more days and then dump and inspect.

I still feel it will need an interior coating with the Caswell but am going to just play by ear for now.

 

I also went trough some boxes of parts in one of my closets and found some stuff I can use including a fuel tap repair kit - brand new never opened, exactly like this one on Amazon:

Fuel Tap Repair Kit 60-1221

 

What happens between vinegar removal & fuel?

 

Run a solution of baking soda and water inside to neutralize the acidic film the vinegar left behind. Then blow dry it out really well. Then coat the inside well with 2 cycle oil and gas mixture to keep it from flash rusting.

After that it would be most beneficial to fill it with fuel all the way to the top, if possible. My Yellow bike won't be ready to run for a while so not sure if I will fill with fuel anyway and just let it sit somewhere until the bike is ready or just keep it coated with the 2-cycle oil and fuel.

For now just trying to keep going with things......

 

Will the tank need to be coated after, or is the 2-cycle then fuel enough? I'm delaying doing this to my '98...for many years now.

 

If your bikes are stored somewhere that there isn't large temperature fluctuations, typically you can just try to keep them full when parked / stored and be just fine. Air space in the tank stored in a metal shed... certain death (again).

 

What Capt 80's said in the post above is good advice.

I really don't know that much about the tank coating stuff enough to give any advice. So far I'm just doing stuff I have read about, watched in YT vids, and what's worked for me in the past. I've been using vinegar for years to help get rid of surface rust on hand tools and then I also treated the fuel tank on the Blue bike a few weeks ago and it worked pretty good.

I also think have a good fuel filter is crucial when you are dealing with some rust issues in your tank. I just bought some new fuel filters for when I put my tanks back on.

Last thing I want to do is have to do more carb work after it's already just been done!

 

Not to hijack, but can the pump/filter be left on to do this in an FI bike?

 

I certainly wouldn't. I would either make a block off plate or start looking around for a bad pump from somebody to use to seal the tank.

 

On the subject of treating a rusty fuel tank......there are different approaches than my vinegar method.

Capt. 80's had mentioned Evaporust and I have a full gallon never opened I intend to use on my Blue fuel tank. That method involves pouring it into the tank, swilling it around, then draining after only 1 hour, according to the directions of the label. Then fill the tank with fuel. They say you can re-use the drained product over and over until it's effectiveness dwindles down to net zero.

Another method I'm interested in using is Electrolosis. You can find all kinds of related videos on You Tube and that, along with social media, what I use mostly to get ideas and information.

Here's one I was looking at this morning, for example:




BTW....did you ever use coca-cola and aluminum foil to remove corrosion from chrome? I have and it works!

 

Another tutorial on electrolysis......this one with less chatter and more direct with directions......and some good tips in the comments section......



Now I wonder if you could immerse an entire fuel tank in the solution...and would it damage the paint?

 

I've done electrolysis on 4 tanks now (5?). It works great and is a lot easier than it seems like it would be. A great side benefit... the solution will not harm paint if (WHEN) spilled.

Do not do the process with your petcock or fuel cap on though. Same goes with Evaporust.

 

No kidding....wow....good to know! Thanks, Capt 80s!

 

I have Evaporust on my list...where it has remained for many years.

 

Pretty informative article.....

http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public4/gas-tank-cleaning-1.cfm

 

^^ BINGO !

a veritable treasury of info there

 

Finally got started on it. Down and dirty setup for now to get the ball rolling.. Tank is submerged. Pics were taking during filling.....

 

Don't think I've come across the submerged method before.

What did you use as the Anode? What did you ground to?

Did it immediately start bubbling?

EDIT: Just watched the above video. Still think I would fill the tank like I have always done. And... why not mix the solution before submerging the part? That seemed dumb. Also his choice of an example piece was not great and the results were not as satisfying as I have personally witnssed.

I will drain and rinse and do a second round with new solution too on bad examples.

Also, raw mild steel is the best anode I've found.

 

Yeah.....my first time doing this so prone to making errors but willing to learn.

No immediate bubbling.

I just checked on it and the container listed a bit over to the starboard side and some solution spilled out so it's no longer submerged.

I used an empty green beans can as the sacrificial anode.

Maybe I should do it your way?