Pin Holes

I will be sealing the tank, but there are a couple of pin holes, any ideas welcome on the best way to deal with them, prior to sealing.

 

Welding is the best but that requires topping off with bondo and repainting. JB Weld will usually fill pin holes, but again you face the same issues.

 

Dependin on the size of them when you seal the tank they may get sealed over. But they would have to be pretty small. Also they can be soldered over if you know what you are doing. I have a buddy who is a machinist and I seen some work he has done on the side repairing old tanks and If you know what you are doing there isn't hardly anything that can't be fixed with a little know how and patience.

 

Yes on the soldering, did a bit bigger than hairline crack on my front guard, you`ll have to file/sand it down before and after and start clean, I used the old iron ya heat with the oxy`acetylene torch, move the solder around like thick melted butter (or Marge` that been left out of the fridge).

 

P.S> Maybe make a dent for the solder to sit in, make the finishing easier?

 

POR15 tank sealer will plug most pinholes without soldering. Even better if there's still a bit of rust left on the metal.

 

soldering a hole isn't hard if you use the right stuff, a pencil type for electronics won't cut it use the gun type with a good clean tip
i use 60/40 electronic solder, 50/50 plumbers solder might work too
i never had any luck with the new lead free stuff
extra flux is real nice to use, you want to "tin" the steel all around the hole pressing the tip on the steel in a scrubbing type motion, then do the center to plug it up
only thing i question is if theres a pin hole there, how good is the metal a few mm away ?

 

Edzakery, Polock, how much metal have I got around that area.
Only one way to find out, that is to wire brush the area back to bare metal, this will show up the thin parts.
I have soldered leaks in gas tanks before & you have to form an indentation so you can file the solder back to flush, or else you can't get rid of the lump without exposing the weak spot again.
My dilema is this tank has no dents or marks at all, now I will have to give it some, I guess you can't make an omelette without cracking eggs.
Thanks guys.

 

just in case you don't already think i'am nuts a low power BB gun makes the perfect size dent

 

I don't think you're nuts, I do think you are a good shot, though. 8O

 

The pins down here are huge.
I don't have a BB gun, Polock, so I used a 12 gauge with #5 bird shot. 8O

 

i guess the surrounding metal is solid then
not that good a shot, i cheat and touch the barrel on the target

 

Why am I thinking that should be hot leaded or brazed? I remember when we would braze tanks......... I feel old now lol

 

All better now, holes soldered over & the whole area hot leaded, finished with 2 pack filler & fine surface.
Pic 2 in primer / filler, ready for sealing inside.

 

And once again the Wiz proves that when it comes to working on these bikes that he is, well, the Wiz!

The difference between the Wiz and me is that when my left pant leg started getting wet with gasoline I just kneaded a little 2 part epoxy between thumb and forefinger, smoothed it over a little and called it good (enough).

Not Wiz! Oh no! He has to create another work of art! He must have sneaked up on that tank to spray that color on though! Yikes!

BEAUTIFUL job once again Wiz!!!

Loren

 

That is only primer, Loren, thank goodness, it's good stuff though, when you are ready to paint it just go over it with 600 wet & dry & it gives a glass like finish.