83 Big Red Gas Tank Leak - How do I repair it?

[RedArrow10]

After a day of riding my restored 83 Big Red and parking it in my garage, I smelled some gas and noticed a very small amount had leaked onto the floor. I traced it to under the tank, at the welded brackets that rest against the rubber bump-stops on the frame. This is the first time it started leaking so I guess the bouncing around during my ride caused a stress fracture at the weld or something. I can't actually see the hole or crack but can narrow it down the a specific area on the weld. The tank was stripped, painted, & clearcoated and all new decals were applied so I don't want to do anything that would harm the finish. I don't think that will be an issue since the leak is underneath. I'm not sure how to fix this. Can anyone offer any suggestions?

[coolpool]

I used a tank sealing system called POR-15 on my BR. Cost about $75.00 in Canada for the three bottles of chemicals and coating. Works great if you follow the instructions. There are other products out there that other forum members swear by; Red Coat(sp) is one of them. Try the search feature on here and it should give you an idea how common this problem is. Good luck.

[paul kondratiuk]

i had the same problem on my 84 big red. the seams on each side started to weep fuel.replaced the metal tank with plastic one.ebay item for 85.00.

[250Eddie]

you can use some JB weld thats what my dad did on his old tank and it worked u can also sand it and paint over it w/o a problem.

[RedArrow10]

JB Weld was my first thought, well basically my only idea. I've been reading on other post about gas tank putty also. Anyone know which is better, JB Weld or "gas tank putty".
I did consider a chemical liner as COOLPOOL suggests. But, I've seen some turn out REALLY bad and there is not much you can do about it if you don't get it right the first time. And, this is a moderate restoration bike so as PAUL suggests I want to keep the original tank on it.

[250Eddie]

if u use jb weld u gotta let the tank dry and put it there leave it for 2 or 3 days getting sun so it fully drys and ull nvr have to worry again about it , also make sure u sand down the area gonna put the jb weld on so it grabs on right.

[Buck Snort]

I had a small leak on my big red tank. I used the gas tank putty and it has stopped the leak. But i have not been for a ride since the repair.It is very simple to use and does seem to have a strong bond.

[ironchop]

I use Redkote or however it`s spelled

It was $40 for a quart and that would do a couple tanks easy... I went the extra step and let it dry in the tank for a couple weeks before adding fuel but I think they suggest much less drying time...I think more is better

Whatever you do.....Don`t get Redkote on the paint job....take care to get it all in the tank and not on it....it comes off but will leave a mark in the finish

IMO, since you don`t want to mess with the nice new finish on the tank, after coating it, add a little more a couple days later and tip the tank with the leaky area DOWN just to be sure it sits over the leak giving a good seal since its in a tough spot that you might not reach from outside with putty or JB

is it leaking from under the tab or next to it ?

[bcredneck]

the best way to fix it is brazeing if you want to repaint after ive tryed the 3 stage thing and i can get pics of what it will look like in two years it seems great at first then it starts to peel off a clog the crap out of every thing the one cemical for getting rid of the rust is awsome after i took it out of the tank i put it in a bucket and dipped a chian that had been buryed for years there wasent much left but there was no rust

[haywiremechanic]

I have used JB weld and some putty type epoxy that was sold at an auto parts store specifically for fuel tank repairs. Both worked very well, and the repairs lasted for years. Gotta get down to bare metal so they can bond to it though.

I used the 3M rubber type coating on the inside of a Suzuki GT500 gas tank once, and wasn't happy with the results. It leaked again after about a year. It was expensive too.

[bcredneck]

[QUOTE=
I used the 3M rubber type coating on the inside of a Suzuki GT500 gas tank once, and wasn't happy with the results. It leaked again after about a year. It was expensive too.[/QUOTE]

thats the crap i was talking about good luck keeping the carb clean ill never get that again

[tri again]

I had 2 early bigred tank fractures and one got fixed (welded) at a radiator shop and the other
by some retired welder guy I found on C List.

[RedArrow10]

I went with the JB weld method. I sanded the paint off with a Dremel. Used three coats of JB Weld over the seam that needed repairing. Then let it dry for three days before adding fuel. Two days and no weaping fuel....

[1984 honda 200s]

i had jb weld on my 200s gas tank and it didnt hold, id cut the bracket off and bronze where ever is leaking, then mount the bracket back on. thats what we did to my 200s tank but then i switches to a 200m tank witch is bigger