Look fixable?

[Dichotomous]

http://totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/album_sh ... ic_id=3434

no I didnt make the dent myself, I am buying it with that in it because, well, its dirt cheep this way. The dealer says it runs fine and holds gas just fine, I am wondering if I could pound it out from the inside or use those glue dent pullers to slowly pull it out so as to not crease it and kill it. I'd rather get it out a little bit with trying at least and THEN get a replacement tank (dealer said he'd gve it to me at his cost) so I at least tried, you know? how workable do yall think this is?

[ZooTech]

One that big would be too difficult to get out. The metal has been stretched at this point and it will never return to shape unless the tank was cut in half and that side was worked with an English wheel. I would keep an eye out on eBay or would Google some motorcycle salvage yards and hunt down a good, used tank. You may even luck out and get the right color, or get the other body panels and change the color of your bike. For now just don't lose any sleep over it and learn what you can from this bike so you can move on.

[Dichotomous]

thanks zoo, that makes a lot of sense. The front fender has a dent in it too, nothing big deal, and thats really a smaller hammer underneath it jobby. I am planning on running it as it is till I put it away in the fall, at which point I'll probably drain all the gas from everywhere and get a new tank and paint most of the bike up to be a real nice blue. Not to be weird or anything but the color of the bike in your icon is likely to be the main color of the bike later on, keeping the black frame and with some black trim on the body. It will likely sell for more than I bought it if I get it all nice and pretty. thats after I ride it for a year all pretty..... I was just wondering how likely I could pop that out for especailly since its only a 2.8 gal tank and now is likely a 2.5 r less... lol

[ZooTech]

The only other option I can think of (but it still won't fix the dent entirely) is to find someone who could pressurize it for you. If the tank were pressurized enough (they have equipment made for this to test custom tanks for pinhole leaks) it might pop the dent out leaving only a crease in its place. But, remember, there is still some rust to contend with, too. That's why I suggest the salvage yard route. Your bike is pretty popular and has been out for several years so finding a tank shouldn't be too hard.

As for the paint, you can buy my bike's paint from Color Rite. I bought a pint last year to have my fender and chin spoiler painted.

*edit*

Hell, a quick check on eBay revealed three tanks for sale as I'm writing this!

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dl ... category0=

Of course, all three have a bit of damage, too, but this is a good example of just how easy it is to find parts for that bike. Any decent-sized bike salvage yard should have a tank in stock for you.

[Dichotomous]

I wonder if a bigger tank could be hooked up for longer hauling.....

[cb360]

I agree with zootech - you COULD fix that tank but I don't see how without cutting it up and repainting it. Unless you did it all yourself it would be cheaper just to get a new tank - for that matter it would probably be cheaper to get a new one even if you did do all the work yourself - not an easy job.

On the extra fuel deal - they do make extra fuel tanks that you can put on just about any bike. Never tried one myself - not sure how safe or practical they are.

[ZooTech]

Despite the smaller tank, I'd be willing to bet you can travel as far as I can on 4.5 gallons thanks to your bike's fuel efficiency.

[2wheel]

Try eBay for a replacement.

Oops never mind, just noticed the above post. zzzzzzzzzzzz