Topic: Empty tank Storage

[Harper]

Hi everybody,

I took off my tank yesterday to get out the carbs, do cleaning, etc. I anticipate that it will take me a while to get through the carbs , and I was wondering if it is in any way bad for the bike or the tank to store then separately for a while.

[Harper]

sorry, it posted prematurely, hit the wrong button...

Specifically, I wanted to know if I will damage the tank if I drain it and leave the top open so that it dries out, or if this is an ok way to store it.

Thanks
Harper

[BobbyR]

Probably no harm would be done in the short term. You could slosh some oil around inside of it. Kerosene or Diesel fuel would work also. Anything that would leave an oily coat on the metal would work.

[BeSeeingYou]

Tranny fluid works too.  I store my tanks this way.  In the basement not in the garage as in our cold climate you will get condensation.  I just make sure I get all the gas out and let it vent for a few days before I bring it in the house.  Then you can coat it and cap it and forget about it till the spring.

[Harper]

Great, thanks, I'll do this

Harper

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Once drained, I tip the tank up side down and use a paper towel or three to sop up the remaining gas.  Store right side up in a ventilated area for a few days.  Spray in some fogging oil (available at your local motorcycle wrench) and store up side down.  If I'm storing it for a while, I will spray in fogging oil again and alternate between up side down and right side up.  Flipping it once a month or so should be fine.

When ready for use, a quick rinse with a half liter of petrol to cut the oil (oil/gas mixture into the truck's tank) and the tank os ready to reinstall!

[Bodi]

If the tank is in a relatively dry space leaving it open should be OK, but in an unheated space the temperature and humidity fluctuations will give condensation and cause surface rust inside... shouldn't cause severe rust but bare metal will flash rust. A capped tank is actually worse, humid air gets sucked in and condenses but there's no evaporation path to get it out... that's what rusts through a tank. If there's a bit of gas, worse yet as the water pools under the gas and will not evaporate.
Full and capped (smallest air space to expand/contract and breathe in water vapor) or empty and open are the simplest. Sloshing a bit of fogging oil or 2-stroke oil is good for long term storage.
Hanging a few mothballs in a sock on a string through the closed cap will displace the air and oxygen and prevent rusting over a winter if you don't want to pull the tank to slosh oil and store it where an empty tank is required. Most bike storage places I have checked require empty fuel tanks.

[Harper]

Great post, thank you Bodl