This last Sat I bought my old 82 1000 Ltd back from the person I sold it to 5 years ago since he was moving out of state. He did NOT take care of it well at all. On my return I cleaned all of the cob webs and dirt off and then opened up the gas tank. Inside is a disaster, all that can be seen is a little bit of gas along the bottom and rust everywhere. It is possibly the worst I've ever seen. I really want to get this thing back up and running. Do you guys have suggestions on what to use to clean this out. I have heard a couple of options one of which was taking the tank to a radiator shop and have them drain seal it since it is virtually the same process as a radiator. Not sure about that since I have not heard that before. Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated.

 

Welcome to KF!
Thought this was a good read on your rust issue. http://www.motorcycleanchor.com/moto..._tankrust.html

 

I just bought my first Ninja and got a steal on it at $1,500.00 with only 2,400 miles on it being a 2001. The guy I bought it from had to replace the gas tank because it was owned by his girlfriend who bought it in 2001, barely rode it, then let it sit in her parents garage for 5 years. The gas tank was the same way yours is when he bought it off her. Just a tiny bit in the tank and rust everywhere.

I hate to say it, but buying a new tank may be the only way to go, then again withit being an 82' they may be kinda tough to find one.

Good luck!!!

 

If there are no holes rusted through your tank, you can use some stuff called Creme. It is a kit that has a solution that you mix with water, let it set, and it eats all the rust away. Then you add some stuff that gets rid of the water. The final step is to seal all of the outlets and pour in the creme. You roll the tank getting an even coat formed on the inside.
When that stuff cures, you will never have to worry about your tank rusting again. It only costs about 35 bucks, a lot cheaper than a tank.

Worlok14

 

as mentioned, $35 for a good 82 1000 Ltd tank may be what the asking price is? If so, I would suggest getting a good tank to replace the rusted one.

 

my buddy just bought a 87 Yamaha Virago for $200 the thing had been sitting in a shed for god knows how long. it was impossible to find another tank for it and it was rusted up pretty bad so he had to salvage it. he used BB's like the article above said (great article by the way!) and then he used Electrolytic Rust Removal thing and that worked like a charm. the BB's took care of most of it and the Electroytic did the detail work

 

http://www.kbs-coatings.com/

This crap is amazing... after step 2 It will be bright and shiny again... after step 3 you will never have to worry about rust again. I think it cost me like $55 or so but it rocks.