Topic: Tank Liner or no Tank Liner?

[RSchaefer]

OK so I read and read posts relative to the tank liner question but did not get an exact answer to my question.

I am rebuilding a CB750, '75F and was able to score a relatively little used gas tank that appears to be rust free and shiny inside.  Should I even bother lining it as a preventative measure?

I've read what appears to be bad reviews on even lining the tank in the 1st place (if you don't have to, don't!).  I don't have any pin hole leaks to be concerned about or even any rust for that matter.  I just want to build a reliable ride.  Obviously the original steel tank on the CB750 worked for many years!

I was thinking because of the alcohol now in the gas that coating was appropriate, it seems most or all manufacturers have gone to plastic gas tanks.

I would just as soon not go through the effort of coating the tank and just make a point of keeping the tank full between rides instead.

What do you think, does the current gas require/recommend a tank liner for a vintage steel tank?

[camelman]

Steel's real man! 

No need on a steel tank especially if you ride the bike more than once a year.

[lone*X]

Lining is only necessary if rust has progressed to the point of harming the integrity of the tank.  A tank that is near full of gas will exclude moisture and oxygen which is what causes rust.   A properly done lining is a good thing, but only if it is needed.  If the tank is solid, just keep it in use and it will not rust on you.  Store it full with a little marine type stabilizer in it and you will have no issues.   There are a lot of good 40 year old tanks out there without being lined.  Some people report the newly lined tanks separating and peeling.  I personnaly don't like lined tanks.  I would find what you say you have, a good steel tank.

[Retro Rocket]

Yep, no liner necessary, actually, i don't like liners at all on steel tanks, ever seen one fail..? If i have a tank thats beyond repair i just source a better one....No liners here....

[grasscutter]

Do NOT line it!!!!

Im always amazed @ how many people see a touch of surface rust and start freaking out, about all the 'bad' stuff that could happen.

If they only could see inside their vehicles tanks, each time they filled up! 

+100 to lone*x. 
I steer clear of lined tanks whenever possible.

[750K]

Only if it's got pinholes due to rust and it's leaking, only then would I use a liner.

[RSchaefer]

Cooool thanks!  I was hoping that was the case.  The stock tank that was on my bike when I got it had been lined and the lining was coming off in large flakes and was really trashed with holes in the seams, rust everywhere and thus I sourced a replacement.  Was just concerned relative to the oxygenated fuel issue.

[Stev-o]

Yep, no liner necessary, actually, i don't like liners at all on steel tanks, ever seen one fail..? If i have a tank thats beyond repair i just source a better one....No liners here....

+1. And it's the ethanol in the gas that is screwing everything up. If your not going to use thevtank for a while, put some 2 stroke oil it to prevent rust. And once in service, keep it topped off

[iron_worker]

Great post. I've been debating this very thing myself.

IW

[Z-MO]

Yeah, liners suck.  They are a PITA and often fail. 

[lucky]

If you buy a steel after market tank and after two months or so you will see that the inside and BOTTOM of the inside of the tank is rusting.
The ethanol attracts water.

A factory steel tank gets plated inside. It will last longer before rusting.

[Retro Rocket]

If you buy a steel after market tank and after two months or so you will see that the inside and BOTTOM of the inside of the tank is rusting.
The ethanol attracts water.

A factory steel tank gets plated inside. It will last longer before rusting.

Not in these old bikes Lucky, i have seen Honda tanks way back in the late 70's {only a couple of years old} flash rust internally after sitting for little time without fuel, once the fuel residue is gone,  no coatings at all. Yes, ethanol is crap and attracts moisture but in my experience, all steel tanks will rust after being left empty for a while {even less than 2 months in some cases, depending on relative humdity}, if plated this would not happen at all...  The lead in earluer fuels probably helped a little to stop corrosion but generally, stock tanks are untreated steel, just cleaned and probably oiled up from the factory. I used to assemble brand new bikes out of the crate direct from Japan and even some brand new tanks had signs of minor rust...

[Retro Rocket]

On a side note, i think BMW and maybe some Harley tanks had some type of coating from the factory but in my experience, no Japanese tanks did........

[lone*X]

For discussions sake, what if you took a new steel tank, or a good original, and did the phosphoric acid bath that reportedly leaves some form of protective ~oxide coating behind on the steel.  Would that aide in countering rust if you fail to keep the tank full or we wind up with E20 or some such in the future?  Not that rust has to be a problem, but sometime we all are less diligent in upkeep than we would like.