Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - December 2007 - (Page 18)

MONTHLY FEATURE STORIES Tank Goodness Tips and Tricks for Selecting and Protecting a Used Gas Tank By Mike Brown tip TIP OF THE MONTH OF THE MONTH gasoline will be perfectly useable, so don't pollute, run it in your daily driver and then refill the tank with fresh treated fuel. If you have used tanks on the shelf, common for lots of us, keeping them full of gas often isn't practical and can be very unsafe depending on how/where they're stored, so we need an alternative. In this case, a gallon of rust solvent/moisture dispersant like WD 40 comes in handy. Pour about a quart or so into the tank to be stored to remove any moisture and then drain. Don't throw out the WD 40 as it can be used many times before it exhausts its ability to remove water. Follow the WD 40 with about 16-ounces of plain motor oil. Make sure you rotate the tank so that the oil coats all surfaces. Put the gas cap on tightly and also block the petcock holes if the petcocks have be removed to limit the amount of air that can get inside. Periodically, rotate the tank. All of this, by the way, really isn't necessary if the empty tank's stored in a climate controlled/moisture restricted environment and is rust free to begin with. Used tanks likes these can be a blessing or a curse, let's make sure it's the former. W hile many old cycle parts can sit around for decades and still be perfectly serviceable, the same cannot be said for gas tanks. Actually, many begin to degrade very quickly once they're out of service for any span of time if they aren't properly stored. Let's start with protecting first and then move to evaluation of a used one, because if you protect the tank in your old scooter, you won't be out shopping for another one soon. Conversely, if you neglect the tank, it can do all sorts of creepy things, like dripping volatile gasoline on a hot engine and/or filling the carburetor up with rust. The very best thing you can do for your tank is to keep it full of fresh fuel. Rust is like cancer to a gas tank, and a great way to prevent it is to be sure that one element needed for rust, air, can't come into contact with the tank's surface. A good paint job, or even a lousy rattle can number, will protect the outer portion. Prolonged sitting without operation is one of the worst enemies of any cycle, and is particularly injurious to fuel tanks. Still, it's realty for most vintage bikes for reasons ranging to seasonal rests to too many motorcycles and too little time. If you contemplate resting any bike for a spell, an excellent way to assure a rust free tank is to prepare it for prolonged rest. To do so, you'll need fresh fuel and gasoline stabilizer. A good stabilizer will assure fuel protection for over a year. Should you want more than that, it's a good idea to drain and refill the tank. The drained Super thick bondo is the hallmark on an amateurish repair job and invariably cracks like this one shown. Evidence of previous repair, like this welded seam, won't necessarily rule out the tank but is cause for being very careful during inspection. 18 DECEMBER 2007 I WALNECK’S CLASSIC CYCLE TRADER® I WALNECKS.COM http://WALNECKS.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - December 2007

Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - December 2007 Contents American The Buzz by Buzz Walneck Tip of The Month by Mike Brown 1903 - A Very Good Year (reprinted with permission) Bubeck, Chase and the Chout (The Story of the Fastest Unstreamlined Indian) a reprint Sudden Death #2 Davenport Recap Calendar of Events Barber Vintage Festival Recap British A Flash From The Past (Old BSA Runs with a Modern Racing Pack) Biker of the Month Bench Racing Velocette Thruxton - the 115 mph class European Moto Guzzi V50 II Bub 2007 Meet Japanese The 380 Suzuki Need For Speed Competition Motorbikes & Scooters Antique/Classic Motorcycle Club How to Place a Word ad How to Place a Photo ad Area Code Directory How to subscribe Let Us Help With Your Event

Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - December 2007

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