Author Topic: Can ya fix a dent ? (Read 1920 times)

kballowe · « **on:** July 03, 2023, 08:18:07 AM »

My first ever tank dent.

I was pushing the bike out of the basement and my little threshold ramp flipped up and tripped me, and me and the bike went down.

THAT hurt, but what's worse is this tank dent (no other damage).

Can this be fixed, or should I simply put a sticker on it ?

guzzisteve · « **Reply #1 on:** July 03, 2023, 08:38:20 AM »

Bondo & repaint. Easiest solution unless you have a plate for a pump to get your hand in tank.

RinkRat II · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2023, 08:42:35 AM »

That's a tough one because of the crease. If you have a Painless dent service nearby those guys can work miracles, and it looks like they would have a fairly straight on shot through the fill cap. My $.02

Paul B

kballowe · « **Reply #3 on:** July 03, 2023, 08:48:46 AM »

I could sardine-can an area in the tunnel, in order to get straight to the dent, and then braze it back after the repair.

guzziart · « **Reply #4 on:** July 03, 2023, 09:04:57 AM »

Hey Kballowe,

I feel your pain. I was pushing my Wing around in the garage when it contacted my HF lift that was raised. The scratch in the fairing makes me sick, I've owned the bike since new and the paint **was** flawless until then.

Anyway, some good suggestions here like Painless Dent, Dent Wizard, etc. Possibly a good replacement tank from boneyard. I don't know much about bodywork but your dent looks like a lot of bondo.

Good Luck!

Art

kballowe · « **Reply #5 on:** July 03, 2023, 09:12:48 AM »

This is a 2014, owned since new. It's been a faithful steed.

Stevex · « **Reply #6 on:** July 03, 2023, 02:01:54 PM »

I had a similar dent when I dropped a piece of wood on the tank of my Honda. I took it to a dent remover.
Luckily the paint wasnt cracked and I got the tank back looking like new.
The process involves heating the tank which keeps the paint flexible.

bigbikerrick · « **Reply #7 on:** July 03, 2023, 05:00:58 PM »

If the tank has a plate on the bottom for a fuel pump, It would be an easy repair for a PDR technician. as long as they can access the back of the dent, they can do wonders.I dont think it can be done through the gas cap, its too far back.
good luck
Rick.

Canuck750 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 03, 2023, 09:36:52 PM »

Take it to a paintless dent remover professional.

A friend had a vintage Suzuki metal gas tank with a very long and deep crease worked out to the point it’s 99% perfect, had I not seen the before picture I would not know where to look for the dent. I don’t think the dent on your tank should be a problem.

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #9 on:** July 03, 2023, 09:53:14 PM »

I like the sticker idea

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #10 on:** July 04, 2023, 07:07:22 AM »

I have used these guys before with great success. Have a look at website for examples of their work. They took a nasty dent out of my Eldo tank.

https://motopdr.com/

Perazzimx14 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 04, 2023, 08:23:34 AM »

Not sure what the dent magicians charge but is it possible to source a good used tank and just swap'em out? I'd think if you had to go the cut weld push bondo and repaint route a donor tank would be more cost effective??

kballowe · « **Reply #12 on:** July 04, 2023, 08:59:38 AM »

I have looked at swapping out the tank and fixing it and such.

I think it's going to stay there. "Character"

SIR REAL ED · « **Reply #13 on:** July 04, 2023, 09:36:41 AM »

Nothing wrong with leaving that dent there. But good grief, make up a better story about how it happened.

You were getting chased by a Bigfoot or Aliens.....

Some hot chick picked you up in a bar, you two were making out then found out she was the wife of a Hell's Angels president, huge bar fight followed, and they were sore losers so one of them took it out on your bike....

You were riding backroads and passed Valentino Rossi on the inside in a curve, just then a moose stepped out in front of you and his antlers hit and dented your tank....

I suspect the paintless dent repair guys can fix it. Might be paintless, but not painless.

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #14 on:** July 04, 2023, 03:23:43 PM »

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned:

AJ Huff · « **Reply #15 on:** July 04, 2023, 05:03:49 PM »

Put a tank bag on it.

-AJ

Luap McKeever · « **Reply #16 on:** July 04, 2023, 06:27:32 PM »

I've fixed a dent like that before by draining the gas tank and sticking the shop vac blower in and let air do it. Worked great and 95% of the dent was gone.

SIR REAL ED · « **Reply #17 on:** July 05, 2023, 08:08:14 AM »

Quote from: Luap McKeever on July 04, 2023, 06:27:32 PM

I've fixed a dent like that before by draining the gas tank and sticking the shop vac blower in and let air do it. Worked great and 95% of the dent was gone.

That is pretty impressive Luap. I never would have thought to do that, simply from assuming not enough pressure could be obtained.

Also kudos for being happy with a 95% fix. Mark of a healthy, well adjusted mind.

Often, the last 5 or 10% of the fix is very expensive to pursue.

Often the pursuit of "perfection" rather than "good enough" ends in more damage!

"Son of a !@#$%&*! Why couldn't I quit when I was ahead????"

Moparnut72 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 05, 2023, 09:46:49 AM »

Son of a !@#$%&*! Why couldn't I quit when I was ahead????"

Story of life.

kk

bacongrease · « **Reply #19 on:** July 05, 2023, 10:27:03 AM »

Haven't ya `ll seen the dent repair on youtube? There are a bunch of them. I haven't tried it...

SIR REAL ED · « **Reply #20 on:** July 05, 2023, 12:59:16 PM »

next time I dent a gas tank, I'm using Charlie's method first. He's never steered me wrong before.....

LowRyter · « **Reply #21 on:** July 07, 2023, 01:15:27 PM »

The crease looks pretty bad for paint-less but you never know until you ask.

If you take it to a body shop, they'll use clecos to straighten, filler and paint. You want a good painter.

The other option is to find a replacement tank. Hit or miss.

News:

Author Topic: Can ya fix a dent ? (Read 1920 times)