Topic: The CB750 gas tank dilemma

[kyle750]

Many thanks for the help and assistance on the evaluation of my CB750 gas tank. Not an easy decision but for my peace of mind I decided to replace.   Another very strange coincidence and rather than add on to the other thread decided to start a new thread.  Gas tanks seem to be a popular pastime with CB owners   

A very kind CB750 owner alerted me to a very faded but solid sunrise flake orange? (not exactly sure of the exact color?) gas tank that came up for sale priced at $200 as a possible replacement for my candy gold K2 gas tank. Thank You Sir for the heads up - very much appreciated! Obviously this tank would need to be refinished and repainted.

I sent an email to Yamiya inquiring about the availability of their currently out of stock candy gold tank and side covers set and I am waiting for a reply. I hope to hear back from them very soon!

The exterior of this tank looks decent to my eye but I am not an expert and I don't know how to properly evaluate the condition of the interior for rust?? 

[kyle750]

I found this in an older post.  Very Cool 

[69cb750]

Your tank has some rust, better then most.
What happened to original tank?

[kyle750]

Your tank has some rust, better then most.
What happened to original tank?

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,204847.0.html

[kyle750]

I just watched a video for Evapo-Rust.   Truly amazing and it's available in Thailand.  Price for 1 gallon (3.78 litres)  in the USA $30 on Amazon and price for 5 litres  in Thailand is $60     

[Mark1976]

   Buying used tanks for bikes of this age can be a crap shoot at best, I've bought more than my share over the yrs, having someone give you a lead on a good tank is helpful but no guarantee either (been there). My advice (just mine, you can do as you please) is every used tank is never worth more than $150, so always get it for the lowest possible price, ya still have to recondition the thing and believe it or not, its not a cheap endeavor these days (even decent rattlecan paint is getting up there), and that doesn't even recognize whether or not you have the skill or abilities (or the necessary equipment) to take on such a task.
   I'm saying you shouldn't or can't, but understand what you're signing up for, it's a process/journey to learn how to do it correctly. Nothing worse than dumping $400+ dollars down on a tank and repaint and graphics and then looking at the finished product and thinkin, "that could have gone better."

[newday777]

I just watched a video for Evapo-Rust.   Truly amazing and it's available in Thailand.  Price for 1 gallon (3.78 litres)  in the USA $30 on Amazon and price for 5 litres  in Thailand is $60 

You need to fill the tank full to the brim when using Evaporust so you need 5 gallons.

[kyle750]

I just watched a video for Evapo-Rust.   Truly amazing and it's available in Thailand.  Price for 1 gallon (3.78 litres)  in the USA $30 on Amazon and price for 5 litres  in Thailand is $60 

You need to fill the tank full to the brim when using Evaporust so you need 5 gallons.

5 gallons of Evapo-Rust in Thailand would cost $240.  I have big dreams of using Evapo-Rust but I'm on a distilled vinegar budget 

[kyle750]

   Buying used tanks for bikes of this age can be a crap shoot at best, I've bought more than my share over the yrs, having someone give you a lead on a good tank is helpful but no guarantee either (been there). My advice (just mine, you can do as you please) is every used tank is never worth more than $150, so always get it for the lowest possible price, ya still have to recondition the thing and believe it or not, its not a cheap endeavor these days (even decent rattlecan paint is getting up there), and that doesn't even recognize whether or not you have the skill or abilities (or the necessary equipment) to take on such a task.
   I'm saying you shouldn't or can't, but understand what you're signing up for, it's a process/journey to learn how to do it correctly. Nothing worse than dumping $400+ dollars down on a tank and repaint and graphics and then looking at the finished product and thinkin, "that could have gone better."

I greatly appreciate the very thoughtful and thorough response.  Lots of information to consider. I still have not decided if I should buy new or used and then repaint.  Looking at possible options at this point    If I decide to go the used route I would never attempt to repaint a tank.  Painting is difficult and I believe auto body painting is better left to highly skilled professionals.  Just to let you guys know the K4 sunrise flake orange bike that I am looking at has been repainted.  The bike was originally red    Someone did very nice work I think!

[BenelliSEI]

Have a good look at your tank. If it was mine I’d get the brazing around the neck repaired and reuse it. Unless you buy a complete Yamiya kit, you’re going to have to paint anyways.

If it doesn’t leak, hit it with vinegar and go from there…..

[kyle750]

Another photo from the seller of the Sunrise Flake Orange K4 currently for sale.  I was very surprised to learn that originally the bike was Red

[kyle750]

Gas drained.  The old tank is off and now removing the pet cock and badges.  Bottom trim is in poor condition and is not reusable.  Previous owner used double sided tape to the backside of the HONDA badges.  I carefully slid a knife down and across to cut the tape and then gently pryed at the area around the pins and both badges came out easily with all 4 pins intact.  Easy!

I'll apply paint stripper and remove the glue strips to the backside first and then strip the front of the badges and repaint. Should be a Fun and Easy Project!

Late Edit:  I just noticed the early badges the outer black edge area is contoured/shaped around the letters (shadow effect).  Later badges have a straight top and bottom edge. 

[kyle750]

HONDA badges -  paint stripped.  There is still some black in the recessed areas and around the outer edges that needs to be removed 

[kyle750]

NOS HONDA K2 tank badges with the same texture to the inside of the letters

[kyle750]

Here is an interesting set of vintage tank badges and according to the seller are from a Honda CB750 K2.  Notice the texture is in the surround black area and the outside border is smaller than the HONDA letters.  Good looking very minimalist HONDA emblem!

[newday777]

Double sided tape comes off with denatured alcohol without hurting the finish like paint stripper does.

[kyle750]

Double sided tape comes off with denatured alcohol without hurting the finish like paint stripper does.

The paint stripper had no effect on the metal.  If keeping the original paint to the front then a very good idea!

[kyle750]

Also I just noticed that the letters N and A have extra serifs to the left that give the HONDA font a unique sense of motion and speed

[newday777]

NOS HONDA K2 tank badges with the same texture to the inside of the letters

South Sound Honda in Washington state shows the right side is still available to order. Left has been discontinued. (There are different part numbers for each side!)
They fit 1972-1976 K models.

[kyle750]

Badges repainted by a good Thai friend.  4 small paintbrushes.  2 light coats of semi-gloss acrylic enamel black painted first and then 2 coats of semi-gloss white with a touch of orange added (to give it a vintage creamy off white tone). Removed any paint to the exposed chrome lines of the HONDA letters.   They look AMAZING.  Tomorrow I will put them in the hot sun to cure the paint. 

[Cevan]

I used white vinegar and filled the tank to the brim.  It loosen all the surface rust nicely.  Inside looks new now.  Must have had it in there for a couple of weeks.  Zero leaks.  Then I go to put gas in to test fire my newly rebuilt engine and it’s weeping out the side near the peacock.  Seems like gas molecule must be smaller.  Wired wheeled that area and found a small pinhole and more surface rust.  Dropped it off at a place to have them braze or solder it.  Fingers crossed. 

[Little_Phil]

I found this in an older post.  Very Cool 

They are the work of tanklackieren (Menno Dek) I've had two sets of 500 parts sprayed by him. Expert in the candy finishes.

https://tanklackieren.de/Honda-colours

[kyle750]

I used white vinegar and filled the tank to the brim.  It loosen all the surface rust nicely.  Inside looks new now.  Must have had it in there for a couple of weeks.  Zero leaks.  Then I go to put gas in to test fire my newly rebuilt engine and it’s weeping out the side near the peacock.  Seems like gas molecule must be smaller.  Wired wheeled that area and found a small pinhole and more surface rust.  Dropped it off at a place to have them braze or solder it.  Fingers crossed.

Wishing you the very best of luck and hoping your tank is 100% OK.  Not easy trying to deal with 55 year old metal. 

[kyle750]

They are the work of tanklackieren (Menno Dek) I've had two sets of 500 parts sprayed by him. Expert in the candy finishes.

https://tanklackieren.de/Honda-colours

Absolutely stunning work.  Thanks for the link. 

[kyle750]

Honda offered so many cool colors in the 1970s