Topic: First Bike/ 1973 Honda CL350 - Gas Tank Issues

[jjackson337]

This is my first bike ever. 1973 Honda CL350. Bought the bike for $300. It has 5k miles on it, but looks to be in really good condition. Tooks carbs off and they looked to be in great shape. The gas tank on the other hand had a ton of rust in it. I shook a chain around in it and poured some toilet bowl cleaner inside. After rinsing the cleaner out I noticed quite a few tiny holes in the bottom of the tank. Very disappointed as there are no tanks for sale on Craigslist in my state  . At this point I'm quite sure if I should take the route of sealing the tank, buying a used tank on eBay, or buying aftermarket tank. What do you guys think? I'm so anxious to ride for the first time!

[Johnie]

Welcome to the boards. The bike looks really good so I think an aftermarket tank is not the way you want to go.With a bike in what appears to be such good original condition you probably want to keep it that way. I would take the tank to a reputable radiator shop and see what they think about sealing it. You said there are quite a few tiny holes which could mean a large area of the bottom has very little metal left. The shop can guide you. I had a issue with holes and they used silver solder to patch it up...but then you will need to paint it as the process will damage the paint. There are a number of these tanks on eBay, but you have to be careful you do not end up with another junk tank. Before you go any further I would take the tank in and get an opinion from the radiator shop. Heck, you got a nice deal for $300 and the opinion of the radiator shop is free.