Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Dave Swanson on July 19, 2016, 05:05:15 PM
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I have been limping along with the original tank on my 74 Eldo for a long time now. I did a complete mechanical restoration a number of years ago, leaving the original paint intact. The tank had the perfect patina, but had scores of pinholes on the bottom of the tank and along the seam like so many have nowadays. I sealed the pinholes with an aerospace grade brush on sealer, and then a couple of treatments with POR-15, but knew it wouldn't hold up forever.
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee165/dswansbiker/DSCN0770.jpg) (http://s233.photobucket.com/user/dswansbiker/media/DSCN0770.jpg.html)
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee165/dswansbiker/DSCN0927.jpg) (http://s233.photobucket.com/user/dswansbiker/media/DSCN0927.jpg.html)
Good rust free Eldo tanks are becoming quite rare and go for big dollars now days. I was lucky to find a rust free tank with patina to perfection for my bike on Ebay. I believe I won the auction for a much lower price than what I have seen others go for because it had a dent.
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee165/dswansbiker/Guzzi/DSCN4419_zpsfxcadziw.jpg) (http://s233.photobucket.com/user/dswansbiker/media/Guzzi/DSCN4419_zpsfxcadziw.jpg.html)
I took the tank to the local paint-less dent guy who has done lots of great work on Harley tanks. He wouldn't touch it because the sheet-metal gauge was too heavy in his opinion. Harley tanks use a lighter gauge and easier to work with as he told me.
So I went into a 3 year or more holding pattern until I saw an advertisement in The Antique Motorcycle, the mag of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America. The ad was from Dent Dynamics in Santa Rosa, CA https://motopdr.com I took a leap of faith and shipped the tank out to them and received it back today. I am very impressed with the results! I can't say the repair is completely invisible but due to the difficulty of the dent I wasn't expecting perfection. But I must say my expectations were exceeded. I can recommend them without reservation.
I can now ride the Eldo without worrying that it will catch on fire! :thumb:
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee165/dswansbiker/Guzzi/DSCN4850_zpskh71ljux.jpg) (http://s233.photobucket.com/user/dswansbiker/media/Guzzi/DSCN4850_zpskh71ljux.jpg.html)
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee165/dswansbiker/Guzzi/DSCN4848_zpsv0xhmoyr.jpg) (http://s233.photobucket.com/user/dswansbiker/media/Guzzi/DSCN4848_zpsv0xhmoyr.jpg.html)
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Looks good! :thumb:
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I can't begin to explain, but I'll wager you can imagine the effect that second picture has on me. Talk about stirring emotions...
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So they banged out the dent without cutting the tank?
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So they banged out the dent without cutting the tank?
Paintless dent removal is pretty amazing. You can find YouTube videos that show the process. It's very simple, but takes a lot of skill. I used the technique to get my Ninja 250 tank close, and then used Bondo to finish the job, but the pros are better than I am.
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What requirements to send it in?
Petcocks out?
Cap removed?
Flushed in some special way?
Shipping service?
Shipping containment?
Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA
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I have popped out dents in a couple tanks but I can't save the paint. It takes a lot of time, patience, tapping and fine filing then polishing the crap out of it.
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg217/canuck750/Fox%20Shocks/TT500Tank2.jpg) (http://s249.photobucket.com/user/canuck750/media/Fox%20Shocks/TT500Tank2.jpg.html)
I plug up the tunnel with wood blocks then using the tool twist the ball bearing end up to the dent and pop it out. The opposite end of the tool leg presses up against the tunnel and leverage forces the dent out. The tanks I have worked on are aluminum and these polish up real nice.