1978 Z1R gas tank... a short horror story. HELP!

300kph · 07-01-2012, 11:17 PM

I think I am giving up on ever having my Z1R gas tank rust free and may now have to submit to lining the tank.

Quick history:
Bought the tank 10+ years ago and had it painted expertly, the tank sat for years in my home and finally finsihing the on agaon / off again resto I discovered the Kreem liner that it had had failed.

Took me forever to finally remove the Kreem and now my tank has become a flash rust factory.

In the last few weeks I've used gallons of vinegar, can of Sea Foam, 2 quarts of MEK (methyl Ethyl Ketone) bottle of Evaporust, gallon of Acid Magic (great stuff) and a few gasoline baths.

I fear the zinc galvanzing is long gone and now the thing rusts before my eyes.

I have heard great things about the Caswell brand of Acrylic tank sealer and I think that is my only plan of salvaging this tank. Some experts rave about calling it simply the best.

The paint job on my bike is 100% perfect and appears factory in every way. Replacing it is completely out of the question and a re-paint in the event of damage is a horrifying prospect.

After using that shopping list of chemicals I did not damage the pain in any way.

The last thing I want is a tank I have to keep topped constantly and see martian red rust every time I peer into the filler.

This Caswell is given rave reviews by the half dozen forums where I've seen it discussed.

My concern is how the hell do you plug the holes (filler, petcock and the large oval for the fuel gauge sensor)

I have excellent rubber stoppers for the filler and could probably use aircraft tape or gorilla duct tape for the large oval but how do I prevent the drop ipe for the petcock from filling with epoxy?

Do I now have to worry about the tube getting coated or even filled up and then drill the stuff out? And if the inner part of the petcock pipe gets lined will I be able to put the petcock back in with the pipe lined?

I imagine anyone who lined a tank with Kreem, Red Cote, POR 15 or any liner could chime in with their opinions.

W

gggval · 07-02-2012, 12:34 AM

ok so the liner probably left some residue, so you need to clean your tank with a degreaser first.
then use distilled vinegar for a week. every other day strain the vinegar and clean again with degreaser. water is ok don't worry when using soap.
be thurough and think about it and trust me the rust will leave!
I use dish soap, the orange hand soap for degreasing, and water all at the same time.
only fill half full then shake rapidly, empity. then rinse untill there is no more soap.
add the vinegar back in and your good to go! do that untill there is no more rust!

300kph · 07-02-2012, 04:06 AM

Wish it was that easy.

Will take your advice and try.

markk53 · 07-02-2012, 08:20 AM

Radiator/fuel tank repair shop. See your other post. It's worth it, they know how to fix holes and have the right experience, equipment and products to do it.

gggval · 07-02-2012, 11:58 AM

Let me know, because I have done that lots of times. You have to be very aware of what you are doing.
I forgot to answer how to deal with the petcock. take a small piece of duct tape and cut it to fit on the bottom of the petcock, then cut two holes just big enough for the screws that hold the petcock on, then screw the petcock on with the duct tape faceing the tank. Use good quality duct tape, any residue from the duct tape will not be visible because when you put everything back together the petcock will cover where the tape was.

07-01-2012, 11:17 PM	#1
300kph Motorcyclist Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 9	1978 Z1R gas tank... a short horror story. HELP! I think I am giving up on ever having my Z1R gas tank rust free and may now have to submit to lining the tank. Quick history: Bought the tank 10+ years ago and had it painted expertly, the tank sat for years in my home and finally finsihing the on agaon / off again resto I discovered the Kreem liner that it had had failed. Took me forever to finally remove the Kreem and now my tank has become a flash rust factory. In the last few weeks I've used gallons of vinegar, can of Sea Foam, 2 quarts of MEK (methyl Ethyl Ketone) bottle of Evaporust, gallon of Acid Magic (great stuff) and a few gasoline baths. I fear the zinc galvanzing is long gone and now the thing rusts before my eyes. I have heard great things about the Caswell brand of Acrylic tank sealer and I think that is my only plan of salvaging this tank. Some experts rave about calling it simply the best. The paint job on my bike is 100% perfect and appears factory in every way. Replacing it is completely out of the question and a re-paint in the event of damage is a horrifying prospect. After using that shopping list of chemicals I did not damage the pain in any way. The last thing I want is a tank I have to keep topped constantly and see martian red rust every time I peer into the filler. This Caswell is given rave reviews by the half dozen forums where I've seen it discussed. My concern is how the hell do you plug the holes (filler, petcock and the large oval for the fuel gauge sensor) I have excellent rubber stoppers for the filler and could probably use aircraft tape or gorilla duct tape for the large oval but how do I prevent the drop ipe for the petcock from filling with epoxy? Do I now have to worry about the tube getting coated or even filled up and then drill the stuff out? And if the inner part of the petcock pipe gets lined will I be able to put the petcock back in with the pipe lined? I imagine anyone who lined a tank with Kreem, Red Cote, POR 15 or any liner could chime in with their opinions. W

07-02-2012, 08:20 AM	#4
markk53 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Delaware, Ohio Posts: 3,232	Radiator/fuel tank repair shop. See your other post. It's worth it, they know how to fix holes and have the right experience, equipment and products to do it. __________________ KLX650C, Zephyr 550 SR500, Bultaco Sherpa T

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

07-02-2012, 12:34 AM	#2
gggval Chris Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 336	ok so the liner probably left some residue, so you need to clean your tank with a degreaser first. then use distilled vinegar for a week. every other day strain the vinegar and clean again with degreaser. water is ok don't worry when using soap. be thurough and think about it and trust me the rust will leave! I use dish soap, the orange hand soap for degreasing, and water all at the same time. only fill half full then shake rapidly, empity. then rinse untill there is no more soap. add the vinegar back in and your good to go! do that untill there is no more rust!

07-02-2012, 04:06 AM	#3
300kph Motorcyclist Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 9	Wish it was that easy. Will take your advice and try.

07-02-2012, 11:58 AM	#5
gggval Chris Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 336	Let me know, because I have done that lots of times. You have to be very aware of what you are doing. I forgot to answer how to deal with the petcock. take a small piece of duct tape and cut it to fit on the bottom of the petcock, then cut two holes just big enough for the screws that hold the petcock on, then screw the petcock on with the duct tape faceing the tank. Use good quality duct tape, any residue from the duct tape will not be visible because when you put everything back together the petcock will cover where the tape was.