Dented and rusty tank: what solutions?
Content
Rebuild it, buy a new tank, buy a used model?
6 Kawasaki ZX636R 2002 Sports Car Model Restoration Saga: Episode 17
From the very beginning of this saga of restoring my sports car, I started researching the aesthetics and dressing of the motorcycle because the purchase observation was not exceptional and even less so about the condition of the tank, which was both bumpy and rusty at the same time!
Now that the engine is rebuilt, we can move on to aesthetics! What can be done from this reservoir? As always, we will consider hypotheses about possible restorations.
The original tank that suffered from impacts
The tank will press into the crotch. It is scarred in several places and ... the paint is popping. First of all, it exposes surface rust. This is not good in absolute terms. However, a punch of rust is to stabilize the deterioration, a curative treatment, and it should go well while you are outside.
At least there are no traces of rust inside the tank, nor on the edge of the lid, which is very important. Therefore, it can always be used, and why not renovate, and at the level of restoration it will be easier than working throughout the interior.
If there was an internal rust problem due to poor storage or tightness, I could treat the inside of the tank with an inhibiting resin and keep using it. But here it is a completely different budget and, above all, an unnecessary operation: I will not be jealous. My wallet thanks me (well, more like a money clip).
Therefore, I plan to rebuild the tank myself.
I love the body, even if it doesn't always give it back to me. My 50 years on a scooter made me a master in the art of repairing and painting the ABS fairing ... My amateurs can only be seen very closely, but I still have my doubts. This means clearing the cavity, chewing or trying to pull out the sink in a makeshift way, and of course repainting all or part of it to keep costs down. Yes.
Possible solutions for reservoir recovery
Removing tank dents without paint
I know of several solutions to take out the hump of a tank, all of which costs about 75 euros.
Removing the suction cup or glued dent of the hanger is part of it. The advantage is that we don't need to repaint. The disadvantage is that the tank is not fresh at first, so repaint or at least stabilize.
I contact a paintless cog who asks me to take photos to make a quote. I comply and its price is stable: 75 to 80 euros for removing tank dents without re-using paint.
Tank painting and reconstruction
The professional must be forgotten, I cannot afford it. So I could do it myself, with the risks that it entails in terms of the result.
Replacing an item directly
The new is unthinkable. Used tank? Rather luck! With a large C. As a rule, the reservoirs found are in poor condition. At least if they are not expensive. A beautiful tank, very clean, shoots between 250 and 300 euros, which is less than a third of the price of a new one. To see, but definitely have to add costs: repeat the painting to coordinate with the others.
- Tank original price: € 978
- Used tank price: from least good to best condition, from 75 to 300 euros.
Hide Suffering Solutions
We can even imagine the “heinik of suffering” that covers the tank, expecting the best, the main thing is to restart the bike and use it, even if it means making some concessions first due to lack of budget.
Alsats moto-vision.com have resources for sports and games of all kinds. These hyper and supersport specialists have diversified, but they still offer specific products including a basic fairing kit around € 45 (to see) and especially a fiberglass tank cap molded into the original piece and offered for € 65.
White when raw is ideal protection on the track and especially a great idea for a case that concerns me.
Finally, there is the Bagster tank mat or tank protector solution: from 120 euros.
These two solutions mostly avoid visiting a bodybuilder (I would paint) so economics. So I can myself consider re-recruiting the tank (anti-tail, sanding and chewing), all at a discounted price. It remains to draw yourself, but this is one of the possibilities.
Chosen solution: compatible used tank
Selected solution: Leboncoin! That I would gladly rename lecoupdebol.com. In life, sometimes you run into the right person at the right time. Well, it looks like it does, even if it sounds too good to be true.
The ad calls me “sells ZX6R 636 parts”: optics and tank available. After contact, I jump the opportunity and quickly meet with the seller. Charming, it gives me the history of the rooms and the reason for the sale. The tank, yellow and black, is in perfect condition.
The optic, on the other hand, has a broken retaining tab, but it has survived: I can glue it together (which is what I'm going to do!). We make a deal for 100 euros in total. A small miracle for which I thank this seller again. Moreover, he offers me two bubbles for the same price as encouraging my project to ride a bike. “I was delighted to find good people to help me find parts and assemble my motorcycle when I need them, I am mutual today.” Thank him for this wonderful spirit and gesture.
By quickly responding to an ad, I saved time, that's a fact. First of all, I made a lot of savings, beneficial to the rest of the project. € 100 is a fair budget, but unexpected for these two points. I have come to collect them.
The tank is in perfect condition. Just trinkets inside: it seems like a metal element is coming. Not as serious and, above all, this is not a problem for me, as Balavuan would say.
Tank box checked! The only downside is that it is frankly yellow. Finally yellow and black. So no matter what happens, it is very likely that I will have to go through the paint box. Not that the Maya the Bee color bothers me (Maya, if you can hear me, I love you), but finding the perfect match between the original wraparound and this tank, or even less likely between a used or adaptable wraparound and this tank, puzzles me. Smells like tank paint on your face, doesn't it?
See you later!
