I have had a leak from the alloy tank fitted to the Spit I bought last year, It was supposed to be just the filler and with a bit of work I have managed to finally sort this.
However I started getting bubbling at the rear of the tank and it turns out the tank is also porous here, wasn't showing up until I had fixed the filler tap and topped off the tank more than halfway full.
The material seems to be porous rather than a crack or hole so, how do I fix this? Is it petseal which I have had mixed experiences with or are there common repair methods to repair alloy tanks?
Not that familiar with alloy tanks so are leaks common and is there a permanent solution.
porous?? I would be surprised if it isnt part of a crack, I would get it cleaned out and welded properly, we used to impregnate porous aluminium and cast iron castings but from recent enquiries regarding an Enfield India cylinder head it would be cheaper to get it welded.
Ive mentioned before regarding ally tank repairs, the surface of ally has to be clean and dry to allow anything to stick to it so would need etching, could you get an etch fluid down onto the area? we deal with plating and painting on ally every day and the slightest area of not being clean results in failure of the product on inspection
I sanded off the bubbled paint and when the tank is more than half full there is a running stream of fuel coming out of the general area, while I can't see a crack or hole it doesn't mean that there isn't one.
I don't have any experience with alloy tanks so don't know too much about repairs or defects expected.
The leak seems to be at the rear of the tank on the edge at the top, so on an angle.
Now I now why the tank was so empty when I got the bike, the paint bubbled right away when I filled it up for the first time ready for the spring.
Who does this sort of thing? Any recommended specialists
The first thing they will want is the inside drained and cleaned, so, if you are going to start, try water and see if you can get some pressure in the tank by blocking off all holes apart from say fuel tap. Problem with ally is it does not give as much as steel in flexing, while not prone to rust or does corrode through oxidation. The test will be done by whoever's repairs, our local car radiator place repairs and makes new ones they have done the odd repair for me .
I took the tank off and drained it tonight and after headaches and a year without the use of a constantly leaking tank on my old Matchless I am not even going to bother trying to get it repaired.
Its a brand new tank, just painted before I got it and I suspect its one of the cheap indian copies. It looks like the cap was leaking, which I fixed, its leaking at the rear and possibly at the mounting hole on the top.
I spoke to the tank shop today and I have ordered a new tank, this way I know if should not leak, should be a quality job and I have a guarantee.
If I can't sell the original on as spares and repair then I'll use it as an ornament :)
The only now is that my original tank had pvc transfers just stuck on, should I get waterslides and get the tank laquered instead?