How much is too much? I have a 2008 Speed Triple with 900 miles from new. It starts and runs flawlessly. The previous owner bought it and hardly ever rode it but serviced it regularly. The only issue is the low fuel light was permanently on. So I pulled the tank to check and maybe replace the level sender. This is what I found inside. Is this level of rust normal? If not is it terminal? Can I get it cleaned somehow? It was obviously sitting for long period of time with fuel inside and not treatment. Any help much appreciated, eager to ride during these nice days!
They make a fuel tank coating liquid but I have never used. Some have put hex nuts or other metal bits inside and shook it around to knock off the rust bits. Just don't post that you've got nuts stuck in gas tank.
Try using vinegar in the tank, I managed to get a Suzuki tank perfectly clean by using this method. Take out the pump, sender and fuel gauge, then fill it with vinegar (clear not malt!) put some M8 nuts inside the tank, tie them on a loop of string so they are easier to get out.and shake the tank vigorously leave it then for several hours, tip out the mixture, filter out the crap, put the vinegar back in, shake again and leave. Then repeat, hopefully that should clean the tank or at least get it better than it is now! When finished neutralise the vinegar by rinsing the tank with baking powder.
@Samsgrandad Thanks mate, yes about to try this as have a few litres of white vinegar to hand. M8 nuts seem pretty big? Al so wondering if this is really bad or normal?
If you use smaller nuts you will find them more difficult to pull out. I found M8 nuts about right even on a small Suzuki moped tank I used about 8 - 10 tied on a loop of string
@Rocker tryed that myself but It was high maintenance @Tratch after trying the electric way I too tried vinegar and it worked the best by far with no work involved!! Chuck three bottles in the tank @30p a bottle ( once you’ve got it off the bike and plugged it) and just top up with water. 48hrs should give you a dishwasher clean look!
Filled with distilled vinegar and some extra salt to turbocharge it. Will let it sit for a few days and update. Cheers all.
I helped a mate that had a 15 year old FZR600 with 500 miles, tank was same as yours Remove electronics, pump, sensors etc. And block holes as you see fit 1) couple pints of water and two cups of nuts small and medium, make sure magnetic 2) shake as much as you can changing water regularly 3) remove nuts using magnet and patience 4) fill to brim with rust remover treatment with hot water, 1st time for an hour or two and 2nd treatment overnight 5) rinse very well and allow to dry, a hairdryer helps 6) treat with tank sealant and allow to properly dry Tank came up super shiney
So! 48 hours soaked in 5L of vinegar and 10 of water and a half cup of salt got me to her which is pretty great. Has been thoroughly neutralised with soda and rinsed. Very happy. the fuel pump aperture is actually big enough to get wrist inside and scrub most of it with a nylon brush which really helped. Any rust still present just wiped off so vinegar is actually great if you even it doesn’t fall off at first it will usually be soft enough to just wipe away. Will now look into an internal sealer so I don’t have to do this again.
Make sure you buy one that will handle the Ethanol in fuel. The inside of the tank has to be spotlessly clean and dry, follow the instructions to the letter ensuring that all of the inside is covered with the sealant. Its not a 5 minute job.
Yep, getting the inside free of all rusty dusts is not going to be easy. Dry should be good - hot days this week, black tank etc. Going with Rustio - German stuff! Rostio Tank rust remover 1 Liter plus Tank-protection Emulsion Tank Sealing Set, Tank Rust Removal: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B019U5T9K2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_FHiSEbGQ9FDDC
Can confirm that two years on, tank is still spotless with intermittent use and bike sitting inside over the winters (with fuel in it).
