Painting the Gourd

[BrotherJim]

So I decide to prep my Stoney 1100 tank for paint between other projects, since I had it off of the bike already.  I have to admit that I am not a fan of the Flint Orange paint scheme... but keep in mind this bike has suffered some neglect.  All of the clearcoat on the bike is quite sunburned, and the original "orange" color is more of a yellow.  After finishing the first round of sanding, which went pretty well, I decided to clean underneath the tank, which was pretty grimey.  I hit it with some Castrol Super Clean (keep this stuff away from aluminum) and discovered a crack.  Dangit!  The grime was fanning out and down from the area of the crack, indicating a leak, so my first instinct is to weld it (taking proper precautions considering the extremely flammable liquid previously inside), but the steel underneath the tank seems very thin.  Anybody have any experience with this or any suggestions?  Thank you in advance and hoping the pics post properly!

[John A]

I've had good results with silver solder. It's a little expensive, reminds me I need to go to the welding supply and get another roll. Jar of flux lasts forever.

[n3303j]

Ditto on silver solder. It fuses below 1,000 F and can be worked with an air/acetylene plumber's torch (or a good Bernz-O-Matic). With a bit of care you can build fillets with it.

While you have the tank off for repaint it's a good time to coat the innards with Caswell's Dragons Blood to prevent future leaks.

I just dump all the gas. Let tank dry out. Fill it full of hot soapy water to remove any remaining fuel. A final rinse and I feel safe torching the tank. You need 13/1 to get a bang. The washout pretty much stops that from being a possibility.

[Sasquatch Jim]

 When I have welded on gas tanks, being paranoid about loud noises, After cleaning the tank, I would put in a small hose and have a flowing stream of CO2 in the tank so that not only gas hazard but possible accumulation of welding gasses were rendered safe.

 I you do not play safe you could loose face.

[JJ]

When I first read the title, these are "the gourds" I thought about...and I wondered...why would anyone want to paint these?

 

[BrotherJim]

A lame attempt at some humor, I guess.  The mottled yellow color and shape of the tank reminded me of a gourd, which is why I positioned it the way I did in the first pic. 

Solid suggestions, fellers.  Silver solder it is!  Hadn't considered sealing the tank, but it couldn't hurt.  Caswell comes recommended.  Has anyone tried the Red-Kote sealer? 

[JJ]

A lame attempt at some humor, I guess.  The mottled yellow color and shape of the tank reminded me of a gourd, which is why I positioned it the way I did in the first pic. 

Solid suggestions, fellers.  Silver solder it is!  Hadn't considered sealing the tank, but it couldn't hurt.  Caswell comes recommended.  Has anyone tried the Red-Kote sealer?

Lame attempt indeed! 

Hey Brother Jim - no disrespect!   I rather like the color yellow, and ride a yellow Guzzi myselft that people have told me looks like a "pregnant shrimp!"  I suppose n the right light, my Centuaro might appear to look like a yellow gourd as well!

[Toecutter]

All the old greybeards around my way suggest washing the tank out, and then running car exhaust through it.

I suggest, if you have to ask... bring it to a professional and let them do it. Some things aren't worth it.

[JJ]

All the old greybeards around my way suggest washing the tank out, and then running car exhaust through it.

I suggest, if you have to ask... bring it to a professional and let them do it. Some things aren't worth it.

On the serious side, I had a gas tank with rust in it on my ol '78 Honda GL1000.  I had it cleaned, flushed, and "nickel coated" on the inside...cost me $250...best money I ever spent.  Of course, I had the carbs rebuilt also.  Ran like a top after that for the entire time I owned it!!

Again, the old Guzzi Geezers said:  "Just add white vinegar in the tank and shake it around a bit...."   (Not the correct solution...long term).

[BrotherJim]

No problem with yellow, JJ, it's just that the paint on this tank is in poor condition.  No matter the color it has to be done. 
Thanks for the advice, Toecutter, but I won't be taking it to someone to do it for me.  Thanks for caring about my safety, but I do ride motorcycles afterall.  More lame humor.

[Sheepdog]

Brazing also works well, if you have an oxy/acetylene setup. Britbike restorers seem to gravitate to Caswell tank sealers...

[BrotherJim]

Thanks, Sheepdog!

[wymple]

I use Red-Kote. I've done wonders with it. I spilled a small puddle on the garage floor under my vise, so I left it there to check out later. Tougher than a football, sticks to anything, encapsulates and seals any crud you might miss. My GS850 Suzuki was pretty lame inside, and had a couple fuel leaks on the seams. That was 4 years ago. Applying it is like coating with maple syrup. It's been impervious to every chemical I've applied to that little puddle, including carb cleaner, oven cleaner, paint remover, etc. I think the big advantage is that it's going to work regardless of your skills at getting the tank prepped inside.

[BrotherJim]

Thanks, Wymple.  Red-Kote is another product that many have used with success.  I've gone with POR-15.  I'll be sure to post the results of this slow-going project!