Dent options

F

flyingdsrtrat

Member
I recently bought a Vulcan 500 as a winter project for an airbrush job. The tank had 2 dents in it that a friend that is a bike guy claimed could easily be removed. Well, as always, his "friend" that could easily remove the dents informed me that tank dents are almost impossible to fix. After a few calls to perform places, I got the same answer.

So my question is, what do people do with dents? Live with email? Body filler?

I have found a similar tank that would involve relocating the petcock but everything I have read says used tanks are a ***** to weld due to the danger.

Anyone know a good body man or someone with ability to weld tanks? Paint is not an issues as I will be painting it anyhow.

Cheers
 
you can buy a kit, its about $30 bucks , CTC and some auto parts places have it. It consists of a hot melt glue gun and a puller system. You hot glue a plastic peg to the dent and use the puller to pop it out.
It all depends on how sharp the creases are on the dent edge how successful your result. The glue is designed to be the weak spot and lets go when your at maximum pull.
Real auto body guys also often have a set of bars that are bent and can by used through the filler hole to pry out dents. Onlyu give this job the someone familiar with biker tanks or they will pry against the filler hole and bend it.

You can weld on a tank with no danger IF YOUR A CERTIFIED WELDER. They weld tanks all the time, they have a procedure they follow that makes it safe.

After popping out dents you will still likely have some filler work to do, its not rocket surgery but take your time, read the instuctions on mixing the filler, wear a dust mask and if your using a grinder make sure the tank has been well vented. Its the fumes that go boom.
 
Thanks. I was able to decrease one dent with hot glue and a puller. It's the creased one that I am not able to get out.

As for welding, the similar tank has been sitting for 3 years according to the seller. Would think most fuel evaporated by now.
 
flyingdsrtrat said:
Thanks. I was able to decrease one dent with hot glue and a puller. It's the creased one that I am not able to get out.

As for welding, the similar tank has been sitting for 3 years according to the seller. Would think most fuel evaporated by now.
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Don't think, that's how people die. I don't know the correct procedure, but as a minimum I would fill the tank with an inert gas, if possible I would fill with water.
 
GreyGhost said:
Don't think, that's how people die. I don't know the correct procedure, but as a minimum I would fill the tank with an inert gas, if possible I would fill with water.
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If i recall people saying fill it with water, and put it in a freezer for a few hours to pop out simple dents.
 
I have a set of givi racks for that bike if you are interested pm me
 
Some dents are easy some are near impossible generally if its on an edge its far more difficult and if its where edges come together its eaven worse. If I remember that tank is teardrop style and should be pretty straight forward.
 
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