Tank repair?

[Baggey22]

Looking to see if anyone knows of a good shop that can repair a dent in a motorcycle tank. I called a few PDR places around me, but they're all mobile and don't want to give a quote without looking at it first and don't want to schedule a time so they would come look at it "when they can fit it in".
Tank is removed and fuel pump is removed, access to the dent is really easy with the fuel pump out.
I'm in Vermont, but travel down to Boston area every few weeks. Thanks!

[boosten lebaron]

That looks like it hurt your baby maker.

[obsolete]

That looks like it hurt your baby maker.

If his baby maker made that dent I don't think anyone is letting him put it anywhere near where babies are made.

[whynot]

From what I've seen on vintage bike forums, a "dent" of that size usually requires cutting a big access hole in the bottom, then beating out the dent from inside, all done with expert body work technique, then welding the access panel back in place.

[Baggey22]

From what I've seen on vintage bike forums, a "dent" of that size usually requires cutting a big access hole in the bottom, then beating out the dent from inside, all done with expert body work technique, then welding the access panel back in place.

The dent is directly over the fuel pump. So access is pretty easy.

[whynot]

The dent is directly over the fuel pump. So access is pretty easy.

"Proceed as the way opens."

[Sheppo]

In my experience, that dent will take a significant amount of persuasion to remove. MC tanks are tough and most likely will involve filler and a total repaint.

[Paul_E_D]

I don't think that is worth repairing. surely a good used or even new old stock tank would cost less. repainting alone would cost hundreds.

[loudbeard]

This is not a dent, you collapsed the tank. Everything is fixable, but there’s a lot of labor in something like this. I’d be looking for a replacement tank.

[Paul_E_D]

This is not a dent, you collapsed the tank. Everything is fixable, but there’s a lot of labor in something like this. I’d be looking for a replacement tank.

I mean, it is pretty symmetrical. Maybe just put a sticker on it. lol

[xrocket21]

Ive seen PDR do some crazy shit

[Baggey22]

I don't think that is worth repairing. surely a good used or even new old stock tank would cost less. repainting alone would cost hundreds.

It’s for a track bike. Another Copart auction bike. So paint will most likely be rattle can.

[whynot]

For a track bike, if it doesn't leak, maybe just make up a thick tank pad with velcro attachment.

Back in ye olden days, seems like 100 years ago, and it will be soon, we always stuck a comfy pad on the tank ...

[Paul_E_D]

It’s for a track bike. Another Copart auction bike. So paint will most likely be rattle can.

Even still. I do this all the time. I have a collection of dented R6 tanks. We fixed 1. never again. Tanks are super thick steel with complex curves. Dents, and especially creased ones, cannot be pulled with welding rods. Then you have holes to fill. then paint. so even with rattle can, finding someone to do the job for a reasonable price is not likley. find another tank...

[boosten lebaron]

I like the pad idea. you could probably contour it with a razor and get it to fill the dent in perfectly. Might even make things more comfortable.

[butcher bergs]

That's going to end up being a $1000+ to repair, whether it's PDR or grafting on a replacement section of tank, etc.

Best you could do for cost effectiveness IMO is to grab a few cutoffs of 2x4 and a dead blow hammer and start bashing

[xrocket21]

I'm gonna say $250 for pdr, $7.99 for a can of spray paint

[Paul_E_D]

I'm gonna say $250 for pdr, $7.99 for a can of spray paint

Perfect places won't touch it I'm my experience. It's nothing like fixing sheet metal on a car.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

[xrocket21]

Perfect places won't touch it I'm my experience. It's nothing like fixing sheet metal on a car.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Ok, My experience has only been with cars and I was very impressed.

[obsolete]

Would PDR even be able to get the crease to go back? Every time I've seen them work its much smaller tools to bend a little. I've never seen them work big folds before.

[PurplePackage]

make this thing I saw on the Internet

[02redhawk]

make this thing I saw on the Internet

Having used similar technique with freeze plugs to push out a crushed mid pipe with pretty good success I'd say give this a shot. In my case I filled the pipe with water, plugged both ends and put it in the freezer. Took 3 rounds to push out the dent. As the tank would be a bit to fit in a freezer I'd give the air a shot. Cheap and easy to try. May want to gently heat the tank as you add a little pressure to help it want to stretch. Seriously, give it a try.

[whynot]

Sure, but wear eye protection at least, or maybe bomb disposal gear.

[Baggey22]

Having used similar technique with freeze plugs to push out a crushed mid pipe with pretty good success I'd say give this a shot. In my case I filled the pipe with water, plugged both ends and put it in the freezer. Took 3 rounds to push out the dent. As the tank would be a bit to fit in a freezer I'd give the air a shot. Cheap and easy to try. May want to gently heat the tank as you add a little pressure to help it want to stretch. Seriously, give it a try.

I was thinking about trying this. I assume I should try to add air with the fuel pump out, not in. Don't want to damage the fuel pump with air pressure. So I'll have to make two plugs for the fuel fill and the fuel pump hole. Also plug the vents.

[Paul_E_D]

I have done some tanks with air. One that was seriously dented like yours. It was going great, pinging and popping as little dents came out, so we were excited and upped the pressure. more pinging and popping until finally, we weren't making any more progress on the big dent. We were wondering why it still sounded like dents were coming out. We turned the tank over and got our answer. The bottom of the tank is thinner metal than the top, and we inflated that sucker like a balloon! Probably held 5 gallons when we were done with it. LOL Needless to say it went in the bin.

Not to be Debbie downer, but...