Author Topic: Gas Tank Dent Removal!!!  (Read 18378 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline calj737

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 20,784
  • I refuse...
Re: Gas Tank Dent Removal???
« Reply #25 on: October 03, 2013, 02:43:15 pm »
You never updated this thread with your results? Did you ever find a good solution to removing the dents?
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline puppytrax

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,059
Re: Gas Tank Dent Removal???
« Reply #26 on: October 03, 2013, 03:37:00 pm »
You never updated this thread with your results? Did you ever find a good solution to removing the dents?

Yes indeed! A member of this forum directed me to a friend who does PDR. The dent was removed with only a barely noticeable stippling left to tell where that ugly crease was...

Let me try to take a 'before/after' comparison picture of the completed dent removal...

OK, I tried to make the 'after' pic in the same position/location as my original pic...

The gentleman also pulled out 4 or 5 other dents I hadn't noticed, plus an indentation by the right of the filler neck where it had been pushed in slightly...

He also wet sanded, buffed, and waxed the tank before returning it...

I would recommend PDR wholeheartedly...   :D
« Last Edit: October 03, 2013, 04:14:47 pm by puppytrax »
...stock 1972 CB500 '500 Four' undergoing re-assembly...
...Stock 1972 CL450 'Scrambler' also being re-assembled...

Offline Stev-o

  • Ain't no
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 33,694
  • Central Texas
Re: Gas Tank Dent Removal???
« Reply #27 on: October 03, 2013, 04:19:21 pm »
How much did he charge you?  Looks pretty good....
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'71 Honda 750K project.....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline nccb

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,145
  • 1974 CB750 Four
Re: Gas Tank Dent Removal???
« Reply #28 on: October 03, 2013, 04:24:06 pm »
For real, I may want to ask for his services!  I am dealing with this:

Offline calj737

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 20,784
  • I refuse...
Re: Gas Tank Dent Removal???
« Reply #29 on: October 03, 2013, 04:58:28 pm »
PTrax - tank looks pretty nice. You should send all your tanks to that guy as long as the cost is reasonable ;-)

Whoever said fill those dents with bonds and paint over them should realize now that original metal tanks can be, and should be repaired to restore them and provide the best base for reprinting.

Looking forward to seeing your tank on a bike!

Cheers-
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline puppytrax

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,059
Re: Gas Tank Dent Removal???
« Reply #30 on: October 07, 2013, 05:27:55 pm »
Looking forward to seeing your tank on a bike!

Well, that's easy enough!   :D

I finally have time to work on it properly. Or I will, after my CL450 is finished (I need to re-mount the carbs). Then I can get back to work on the 500 Four...After a hiatus of 7 years...    >:(

Pardon the dust...  ;)
...stock 1972 CB500 '500 Four' undergoing re-assembly...
...Stock 1972 CL450 'Scrambler' also being re-assembled...

Offline chewbacca5000

  • I polish covers!
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,536
Re: Gas Tank Dent Removal???
« Reply #31 on: October 07, 2013, 05:49:58 pm »
How about some contact info on that PDR dent puller guy.  If the price is reasonable I will send him some stuff to have the dents removed.

How much did he charge to remove that dent anyway?

Offline puppytrax

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,059
Re: Gas Tank Dent Removal???
« Reply #32 on: October 07, 2013, 07:18:43 pm »
How about some contact info on that PDR dent puller guy.

The dent puller guy says he will contact interested parties as time, work, and interest  permits.    ;)
« Last Edit: October 07, 2013, 07:20:26 pm by puppytrax »
...stock 1972 CB500 '500 Four' undergoing re-assembly...
...Stock 1972 CL450 'Scrambler' also being re-assembled...

Offline chewbacca5000

  • I polish covers!
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,536
Re: Gas Tank Dent Removal???
« Reply #33 on: October 07, 2013, 08:01:00 pm »
Ok that is fair enough.

Offline puppytrax

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,059
Re: Gas Tank Dent Removal???
« Reply #34 on: October 07, 2013, 08:20:54 pm »
I think he dreads having a UPS tractor-trailor load of dented gas tanks pull up to his shop...   :-\
...stock 1972 CB500 '500 Four' undergoing re-assembly...
...Stock 1972 CL450 'Scrambler' also being re-assembled...

Offline puppytrax

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,059
Re: Gas Tank Dent Removal???
« Reply #35 on: October 10, 2013, 09:32:57 am »
The purple 550 tank turned out so well that I decided to have my 1972 500 Four tank done as well. It had three dents on the right side, and (IIRC) two shallow dents on the left side. It just came back (racking up the UPS miles on the box!  :D )  and it looks great!!!

Here's some before/after pics of the dents...

This tank was definitely the worse of the two. Part of the decal [stripe] came off, but considering that the tank/paint/decal is 42 years old, it doesn't look all that bad without re-painting...   ;D

If anyone is interested in having this gentleman repair your tank, please feel free to post your interest and the dent puller guy will get back to you...

(Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with this shop, I am just a satisfied customer.)
« Last Edit: October 10, 2013, 09:39:00 am by puppytrax »
...stock 1972 CB500 '500 Four' undergoing re-assembly...
...Stock 1972 CL450 'Scrambler' also being re-assembled...

Offline Stev-o

  • Ain't no
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 33,694
  • Central Texas
Re: Gas Tank Dent Removal!!!
« Reply #36 on: October 10, 2013, 05:41:11 pm »
My Z1 has a med dent on the side I would like repaired. 
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'71 Honda 750K project.....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline puppytrax

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,059
Re: Gas Tank Dent Removal!!!
« Reply #37 on: October 10, 2013, 06:07:52 pm »
My Z1 has a med dent on the side I would like repaired.

Email or PM calj737 on this forum; he can get you in touch with the repair shop...   :D
...stock 1972 CB500 '500 Four' undergoing re-assembly...
...Stock 1972 CL450 'Scrambler' also being re-assembled...

Offline Stev-o

  • Ain't no
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 33,694
  • Central Texas
Re: Gas Tank Dent Removal!!!
« Reply #38 on: October 10, 2013, 06:17:04 pm »
Thanks
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'71 Honda 750K project.....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline lrutt

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 916
Re: Gas Tank Dent Removal!!!
« Reply #39 on: October 11, 2013, 07:02:24 am »
 I have a guy here in Florida who is a master at this. He salvaged my 1970 Triumph tank that had perfect original paint yet but a nasty dent. Can't even tell where it was at.

Same with a 1971 Yamaha RT1 tank, still original paint. Yes it might cost $100 or so to do but to salvage original paint it's well worth it. He gets all my car business as well.
06 Harley Sporster 1200C, 06 Triumph Scrambler, 01 Ducati Chromo 900, 01 Honda XR650L, 94 Harley Heritage, 88 Honda Hawk GT, 84 Yamaha Virago 1000, 78 Honda 750K w/sidecar, 77 Moto Guzzi Lemans 850, 76 Honda CB750K, 73 Norton 850, 73 Honda Z50, 70 & 65 Honda Trail 90, 70 & 71 Triumph 650s, 65 Honda 305 Dream, 81 Honda 70 Passport, 70 Suzuki T250II, 71 Yamaha 360 RT1B, 77 BMW R75/7, 75 Honda CB550K, 70 Honda CT70

Offline bluesoverlord

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 21
Re: Gas Tank Dent Removal!!!
« Reply #40 on: October 11, 2013, 07:24:17 am »
That tank turned out great for how bad the crease was. I see so much Bondo being used. What ever happened to the tinning guys? That is a dying art (using lead sticks for filling)! That's what I would have done, but you can't argue with the result you got.....

Offline puppytrax

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,059
Re: Gas Tank Dent Removal!!!
« Reply #41 on: October 11, 2013, 07:38:27 am »
Removing tank dents is one of those ideas that in hindsight seems self-evident. Bolt the tank solidly to a fixture that can't move; fabricate a dozen or so curved, heavy (preferably cast-iron) 'spoon's, rods, and levers. Heavy cast iron so they won't rebound; curved to brace against the center tunnel inside the tank. A solidly bolted immovable fixture so that considerable force can be applied without the tank shifting position. A soft faced mallet (or several) to work the outside of the curved surface while muscling the dent from the inside with a 'spoon'.

I've owned motorcycles since 1968, at least one, and sometimes as many as five (at a time). Gas tanks always seem to have dents where the upper triple tree impacts the tank during a tip-over. There are stops cast into the lower tree to prevent this, but the front forks invariably twist upon hitting the ground, and the upper tree/handlebar hits the tank. That's one universal dent.   ::)

Another is when the owner decides to remove the tank. The rear is usually easy, but the front always seems to stick. But the owner can lift the back end, move it about a little, so he knows that the front end will just pop off if he only pulls a little harder...Oops...The front pops free and hits the upper triple tree, leaving another dent...    :(

I have an excellent example of each in front of me...My CL450, which is at present my daily rider...

For a change, I didn't make these dents...they came with the bike, bought used back in '07 from a fastidious owner in Harrisburg PA. I'm loathe to part with it for even a short time to repair, as that would leave me ride-less...

...Maybe this Winter...   :D
...stock 1972 CB500 '500 Four' undergoing re-assembly...
...Stock 1972 CL450 'Scrambler' also being re-assembled...

Offline lrutt

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 916
Re: Gas Tank Dent Removal!!!
« Reply #42 on: October 11, 2013, 11:24:11 am »
Removing tank dents is one of those ideas that in hindsight seems self-evident. Bolt the tank solidly to a fixture that can't move; fabricate a dozen or so curved, heavy (preferably cast-iron) 'spoon's, rods, and levers. Heavy cast iron so they won't rebound; curved to brace against the center tunnel inside the tank. A solidly bolted immovable fixture so that considerable force can be applied without the tank shifting position. A soft faced mallet (or several) to work the outside of the curved surface while muscling the dent from the inside with a 'spoon'.

I've owned motorcycles since 1968, at least one, and sometimes as many as five (at a time). Gas tanks always seem to have dents where the upper triple tree impacts the tank during a tip-over. There are stops cast into the lower tree to prevent this, but the front forks invariably twist upon hitting the ground, and the upper tree/handlebar hits the tank. That's one universal dent.   ::)

Another is when the owner decides to remove the tank. The rear is usually easy, but the front always seems to stick. But the owner can lift the back end, move it about a little, so he knows that the front end will just pop off if he only pulls a little harder...Oops...The front pops free and hits the upper triple tree, leaving another dent...    :(

I have an excellent example of each in front of me...My CL450, which is at present my daily rider...

For a change, I didn't make these dents...they came with the bike, bought used back in '07 from a fastidious owner in Harrisburg PA. I'm loathe to part with it for even a short time to repair, as that would leave me ride-less...

...Maybe this Winter...   :D

the guy I use could get both those easy. I had one like the one on the right on my Triumph but even worse. Got it right out.
06 Harley Sporster 1200C, 06 Triumph Scrambler, 01 Ducati Chromo 900, 01 Honda XR650L, 94 Harley Heritage, 88 Honda Hawk GT, 84 Yamaha Virago 1000, 78 Honda 750K w/sidecar, 77 Moto Guzzi Lemans 850, 76 Honda CB750K, 73 Norton 850, 73 Honda Z50, 70 & 65 Honda Trail 90, 70 & 71 Triumph 650s, 65 Honda 305 Dream, 81 Honda 70 Passport, 70 Suzuki T250II, 71 Yamaha 360 RT1B, 77 BMW R75/7, 75 Honda CB550K, 70 Honda CT70

Offline puppytrax

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,059
Re: Gas Tank Dent Removal!!!
« Reply #43 on: October 11, 2013, 12:02:47 pm »
the guy I use could get both those easy. I had one like the one on the right on my Triumph but even worse. Got it right out.

Post his email/web site URL!   :D  My intent in this thread was to find and identify the process...Knowing who/where the service is who provides it is also beneficial!   ;)
...stock 1972 CB500 '500 Four' undergoing re-assembly...
...Stock 1972 CL450 'Scrambler' also being re-assembled...

Offline puppytrax

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,059
Re: Gas Tank Dent Removal!!!
« Reply #44 on: December 06, 2013, 02:14:21 pm »
Cal and his crew did a Full Monty on a second CL450 gas tank...Remove dents, strip old paint (several layers), clean rusty inside of tank, and coat inside with Caswell...

Came out excellent!!!   :D  I just got it back today...

Before & after pics...

Yellow ovals show dents, scrapes...I tried to get pics in corresponding positions...
...stock 1972 CB500 '500 Four' undergoing re-assembly...
...Stock 1972 CL450 'Scrambler' also being re-assembled...