Topic: Warning to parts buyers

[crysis]

Well you know, you try and give people the benefit of doubt..... I recently bought an oil tank from a so called "cafe Racer" builder/parts supplier. I am trying to have the open triangle look so it's been a challenge to find the right design. I finally thought I found it. Bought the tank online for $320 plus shipping. 2 weeks after making the pay pal payment I asked about the tank. I was told that the painter was out of paint. You all know how rare industrial grey is.... then two weeks later I received the tank after sending my address again because he wanted to confirm it. (probably didn't lose it) The tank looked pretty good until I looked inside and saw all the rust. That's odd. $320 for a rusty tank. Must be Cafe rust... Okay, spent about 2 hours installing it. (requires removal of rear tire, yay) filled it with oil and presto....why do I have spots of oil on the floor? Oh I know why. The welds are leaking. Who on earth would pressure test an oil tank after welding it together? So, remove the tank (chain, tire, wiring harness........) I have stripped the powder coat off and will weld it myself. I'm sure I could send it back and in a month or so I could re install it and cross my fingers that it holds oil but I think I will take care of it myself. Man what a disappointment. I hope none of you guys deal with this kind of embarrassing quality.  Should have gotten Carpy to build it for me. He is awesome.
 I like the design but I expected more. Not sure if I'm allowed to post who I bought it from so I won't unless told different. Though I will say it rhymes with penjies pafe pacer.
Sorry for the Rant...Maybe this is the wrong place for this?

[lucky]

You cannot weld on a tank that has had oil in it.
Send it back.
It could explode in your face.


SEND IT BACK.

[crysis]

I have cleaned it out with safety solvent (non flammable) and washed it with warm soapy water. Will it still be an issue? I don't want to deal with these guys again. I kind of figure 3 strikes and that's it.

[scunny]

it's a shame, he could have sold quality products but that seems to be a thing of the past. you aren't the first to have had issues.

[trueblue]

Give it a good wash out, it'll be fine, I've never had any issues welding on anything that has had oil in it, other than getting it clean enough for the weld to take properly, it's nowhere near as volatile as petrol.

[dhall57]

There so many sorry low life @%^& out there on the internet. There will take your money and laugh all the way to the bank. Be careful, just don't buy from them just because they have a nice looking web page. I don't buy anything off the net unless I can get some input from other people that have bought from them.

[Toxic]

No where in your post did you say you called them up to tell them about their crap product,  did you do that

[bgfootball67]

The oil tank was the only piece that I did not care for out of the entire bunch (tank, seat, under seat tail electrics).  The oil tank was not baffled correctly and I consistently had oil blowing out of the breather.  I had another one made, problem solved.

[crysis]

Actually I did email him about the issue and he said he would refund 50%. Maybe he's at least trying to own up to it. He offered to fix it but I said I would do di it myself because I don't know that I trust the quality. I stripped the powder coat and welded the seams today. when I tested it again, the oil Drain leaked too....I tried to weld it up but keep getting pin-holes. I will take it to Wally Rutlidge who lives near me. Ive seen this guy repair an engine block on a metric that had a piston pushed through the side. I could not even tell which cylinder was the bad one when he was done. I'll keep you's posted on the refund.

[Terry in Australia]

Geez it's a rare occurrence when someone says that they should have bought something from Carpy because his quality was better, but when I realised who made this oil tank I knew that you were right, that company that rhymes with penjies pafe pacer are rubbish.

Did you try to weld it or braze it? Brazing is best for filling holes, in fact I was surprised when I saw that the tank had originally been welded and not brazed. Anyway, I hope it works out for you. Cheers, Terry.

[crysis]

I welded it. I have torches but no tanks for brazing. Yeah I expected more when I got it. Especially since it was $330. Should have had a custom Aluminum made.

[crysis]

I also had to add a stand off for the oil drain. Silly guy had it flush with surface. That being said, the flat surface was not so flat and oil leaked out quite badly around the plug. I cut the plug from the stock tank and welded it in as shown but I cant get the welds to seal. That's why I will let the pro do it. Here is what I did.

[crysis]

Then

[crysis]

finally

[Terry in Australia]

Yep, best you leave the welding to a pro mate. Cheers, Terry.

[crysis]

Ok. So they refunded me the $150. That's sweet cause it will cost me that much to weld and re powder coat it.

[754]

 Can you explain, "I have torches, but no tanks for brazing"

[crysis]

Gas. Oxygen and acetylene. I suppose I could go and get a mini bottle and torch for brazing but I still think I should get the pro to do it.

Can you explain, "I have torches, but no tanks for brazing"

[754]

 Hey just realized you are just a fews from here...... call ahead a stop in if you are up this way... let me know if you need some billet one-off stuff...

[crysis]

Sounds good. I'm originally a Vernonite. If I ride it out I'll give you a buz.

[ozcaferacer]

Geez it's a rare occurrence when someone says that they should have bought something from Carpy because his quality was better, but when I realised who made this oil tank I knew that you were right, that company that rhymes with penjies pafe pacer are rubbish.

If all that weren't so true it would be even funnier.

[lucky]

I have cleaned it out with safety solvent (non flammable) and washed it with warm soapy water. Will it still be an issue? I don't want to deal with these guys again. I kind of figure 3 strikes and that's it.

Cleaning out a tank with solvent and then soap will NOT make it safe.
A high school student was KILLED just recently doing the same thing.

DO not weld on that tank!!!

That is why it is so important how a tank is welded together.
It cannot be repaired. It must be right before any petroleum product is put into the tank.
The joints cannot be lap joints. It the welds have been ground or sanded it is also a red flag.
A structural weld should never be sanded.

[lucky]

The photos of the tank show that whoever made that tank had no formal training in welding.
Also the quality of the welds is VERY poor.

There are laws about welding tanks and selling them.

[lucky]

Give it a good wash out, it'll be fine, I've never had any issues welding on anything that has had oil in it, other than getting it clean enough for the weld to take properly, it's nowhere near as volatile as petrol.

Oil is a petroleum product.
I am a certified welder and a certified welding inspector.
I urge you to not weld on that tank.
Just send it back and get your money back.
IF they don't want to give your money back then tell them
 you will report them to the authorities . The D.O.T.

There are strict rules about building tanks.

[lucky]

Gas. Oxygen and acetylene. I suppose I could go and get a mini bottle and torch for brazing but I still think I should get the pro to do it.

Can you explain, "I have torches, but no tanks for brazing"

It is not just the welding process and technique that is important, it is how the joints and fit up of the tank are designed.
You do not make tanks with lap joints when TIG, or MIG welding.
If you are brazing a tank, then lap joints are correct.