| Author | Message | ||
     Hughlysses |
For scrubbing the inside of the tank- I wonder if you could figure a way to rig a wad of Scotchbrite pad on the end of a flexible shaft ? Use a drill to spin it while you move it around in the tank. Maybe someone makes something like this? | ||
| Bake |
Hmmm, what about the sparks off the drill brushes? | ||
| Interex2050 |
I decided to go for it, I figured the more I wait/think the more stressed out I will get. I just bought the KBS tank restoration kit. The new grips are a nice change from the old ones:  | ||
| Interex2050 |
There are few things better then getting parts in the mail. Now the real exciting package will be the tank resto kit... | ||
| Tom_b |
Use a long wire handle bottle brush to get down inside the tank, you really need to get as much loose out by flushing with water before using the coating kit. any loose will cause the sealer to pop loose and clog the carbs or petcock. Just take a garden hose and let run inside the tank. the kreme and kds systems use a mild acid to clean and etch the tank before sealing. don't throw away the first stages until completely done in case you didn't get it all the first time. | ||
| Interex2050 |
Tom_b, This is the product that I will be using: http://www.kbs-coatings.com/GS-Tank-Sealer-Info.as px It comes with a varnish remover, and a rust remover I will try to get as much out as I can, but the solutions included in the kit, I am hoping, will aid in the removal of the crud. | ||
| Tom_b |
be careful not clog your your breather tube with that stuff, you'll never get it out | ||
| Interex2050 |
Tom_b, Once I apply the sealer I was thinking of just blowing some compressed air through the passages to blow out any potential sealer in them. Do you think that would suffice? Thanks for the heads up! | ||
| Tom_b |
by the way, that bike is gonna be so cool when it is done! it is sometimes frustrating to bring an old bike back, but it is also fun when you don't have much dinero in one. It is also a learning experience with every one. I'm currently trying to bring back a 1979 xs 1100 with an american turbo pack turbo charger kit on it. It needs tires, brakes, tank flushed and new carb, but the engine is solid and so is the turbo. blowing air thru the tube should work O.K. | ||
| Interex2050 |
Tom_b, The early xs sure is pretty, and with a turbo that thing must be wicked... Let me know how it goes. This came in the mail today:  | ||
| Interex2050 |
Well someone suggested that I use MEK to remove the varnish that is inside the tank... Well the first treatment has commenced After blasting the inside of the tank with the hose set to "jet" much of the loose stuff was shot out of the tank. Sealed the tank using those little acrylic plates with steel wrapped around them and coated in gasket maker (no leaks so far). Some occasional sloshing, and the MEK is looking mighty filthy, so that is probably a good sign... I will be reporting shortly | ||
| Interex2050 |
Well that MEK stuff is really amazing stuff! By the end of the day when I drained it out most of the varnish was gone and the MEK was dark brown/black... The sealer kit should come in the mail soon I changed the plugs and the oil as well That was an adventure... But it runs really well, I uploaded a video on youtube and I will post it here once youtube puts it up | ||
| Tom_b |
What is MEK? Is that a short version of the long word for keotone? (Message edited by Tom_B on June 12, 2007) | ||
| Gjwinaus |
It Methyl Ethyl Ketone | ||
| Interex2050 |
Yes indeed thats what the stuff is... And take a look what came in the mail today:  Sadly I do not think I will be able to get to it until tomorrow... Also, youtube is taking its dear sweet time "processing" the clip of the bike running | ||
| Hughlysses |
This continues to be a really cool thread. Looking forward to seeing the tank coating process photos. BTW, MEK reminded me, I took some environmental engineering courses a few years back. The instructors would always use "Methyl Ethyl Death" as the standard hypothetical deadly chemical we had to consider. "Say you dump a gallon of Methyl Ethyl Death in the city reservoir..." | ||
| Interex2050 |
The video is finally up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrNtNRWvkPA | ||
| Ulywife |
Very cool - that bike has come a long way in a short amount of time. This continues to be a really cool thread What Hugh said! | ||
| Interex2050 |
Once again much thanks for the encouragement! Well I did a first soak with the AQUA KLEAN and... WOW, I would have never guessed that something that smells like shampoo could be more potent then MEK. All the really nasty varnish deposits on the bottom of the tank which MEK just started eroding at, are now almost completely gone! There are nothing more then mere stains...  I just poured in the second batch, this time I do not think that I will have to soak it overnight (and waking up and turning it). This is working too well even.... Also when I get a chance I will tell about the adventures of changing plugs and changing the oil... Stay tuned P.S. I did not know that Motul 5100 smells like chewing gum | ||
| Interex2050 |
Well due to a spill I had yesterday, the tank ended up sitting overnight again and it sure did the trick:   The "varnish" remover that came in the kit did an exceptional job at removing not only the varnish but also the rust. And all that is left behind is a stained surface... I wonder if that worked so well what the rust remover will do... | ||
| Hughlysses |
I wonder if that worked so well what the rust remover will do... Let's just hope you don't end up with a thin, gas tank-shaped shell of paint...  | ||
| Interex2050 |
Somehow I would not have been surprised... Luckily the rust removal stuff is absolutely stunning! That is one heck of a clean tank, its pretty darn near spotless...     I just wish I could get a shot of the inside... Drying it out before the sealer:  And look, the paint is still there! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
The sound of that is friggin' awesome. I am so jealous! Keep it coming! | ||
| Interex2050 |
Thanks! I will have to get a video of it shooting fireballs out of the exhaust... This thing is just evil, its great! I wish I had thought of this earlier, here are some shots from inside the tank:     they are not high definition or anything but it gives an excellent idea of what is in there. (the bike cam sure comes in handy...) P.S. It is strange how all the actual rust has been removed, but some rust "stains" still remain... (Message edited by interex2050 on June 14, 2007) | ||
| Sleez |
too bad you don't have any "before" shots from inside. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
That thing sounds like a demon from hell itself! That's what I remember about my friend's Ninja. | ||
| Staindus |
The tank looks great. Good job, sounds like your almost done and ready for a spin.  | ||
| Interex2050 |
I really cannot wait to ride this sucker... Now comes the hardest part, waiting till Monday for the sealer to completely cure. I poured it in yesterday, it was rather terrifying due to that I had no idea if the entire inside of the tank was evenly coated, but after a quick inspection this morning it looks pretty good. In the mean time there are a few more things to do: -Rebuild petcock -Clean and test fuel gauge sensor -figure out the alarm (the bike shuts off when the clutch is released in gear) (Message edited by interex2050 on June 15, 2007) | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
"the bike shuts off when the clutch is released in gear" Kickstand switch. Both my KLR250 and my X1 had the kickstand switches crap out on me. Perhaps the previous guy hooked up that little toggle switch instead of just jumpering it out like I did. | ||
| Interex2050 |
I don't think that it is the side stand switch, as there is an indicator on the dash that tells you that the stand is down... and in fact the switch was jammed, so a little bit of coaxing and it popped out and the light went out. But I will take a look at it again, unless the center stand also has a switch...? I really do think that it has something to do with the alarm, because I really doubt that all the alarm did is beep when the switch is flipped I did try to put the bike in gear with the switch in both the on and off position without results. Look what came in the mail today! (for $80 shipped to my door I could not pass up)   I was disappointed to find out that it is gold, but for what it is I think I can live with that... Now I just need to order the sprockets P.S. The DID packaging is rather comical... "Motorcycle chains, which are used under severe conditions, are required the superior performances. Now DID proudly offers you the most suitable "Professional" line of DID Brand Motorcycle Chains powered by technology and the longtime experience as the world's biggest original chain supplier." (Message edited by interex2050 on June 16, 2007) |
