Thanks guys - familiar with the hinge issue, as my 900ie tank developed a sizable leak at the hinge (as in, it would drip from the seam(!). First thing a sheet metal guy said was "that shouldn't be welded. Especially not spot-welded". Well, duh. Got it brazed all around the bracket it and sorted.
What's particularly annoying about this is that I have 2(!) spare 900ie 2000-2001 tanks that don't leak/aren't full of rust. Which won't work on the S4 for two reasons; the ST4 frame is wider, and the heads want more room (bottom is different).
Darn...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Gazza
I'm about to re-string my Watkins Rapier, so I can send you the old strings if you have the need? Three bottom strings are wire wound.
|
Appreciate it! Save me buying any to use once..
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Gazza
That will almost certainly burn off the sealer locally inside the hinge area. Any loose stuff elsewhere can be worried off by shaking the tank with nuts and bolts or stones in it.. Clean and count whatever you put in so you can count it out.
You might be able to tackle the rust in your spare tank by filling it with White vinegar or a solution of in water. Leave it for about a week and thoroughly rinse out. Cluct and brake cleaner makes a good final rinse as it is hygroscopic, so fetches out any residual water too.
|
I might call a few places Monday and see if vapor or shell blasting might be an option. But without cutting the tank in half, I'm somewhat pessimistic. Unless they have any long wands. Worth a shot.
For the rusty tank, yeh, filling it with vinegar was probably going to be the approach. Although I also understand it can take a few weeks to work - especially in colder weather. Really seems like someone put lipstick on a pig there...
The sealer in the original tank - never seen anything quite like it. It's like a grey, plastic-looking coating. And it's puckered/bubbled/lifted big-time. There's one area about 6"x8" (or 150mm x 200mm for the younger types) that's lifted at least an inch or two off the metal...
Almost looks like it wasn't prepped properly - or the fuel attacked it. I've never knowingly put ethanol in it - only Super Premium, which I understand doesn't usually have any in it. But I've no idea why it was done/when it bubbled/how long it lasted etc.
Unless someone has a spare 586.1.037.XXX tank, apparently fitted to:
- Monster S4, 2001-2002 model years
- Monster S4R, 2003-2004 model years
- Monster 620, 2002-2003-2004 model years
- Monster 800 , S2R 800, 2003-2004 model years
- Monster 900 2002 model years
- Monster 1000, 2003-2004-2005 model years
I'm clearly going to have to buy another, if I want to ride the bike in the interim. Which I kinda do, despite the weather.
Again, I find myself browsing Beater tanks, The Tank Shop and all the usual suspects - and even the desmo-racing carbon tanks - but delivery time for these is not on your side...