Bashed the fuel tank on Africa Twin - Horizons Unlimited

**colesyboy** · #1 16 Apr 2004

....from a low speed crash yesterday, the dent is about the size of a tennis ball, about and inch deep at the deepest, no rough, sharp edges on it, so it looks like someone has pressed said ball into tank slowly.

Should I be concered, I feel like I should have more concern than I do.

Nice one!
Brian
http://colesyboy.tripod.com

**POB/London** · #2 16 Apr 2004

If it bothers you fill it with body repair putty.

Only concern would be that where the paint has cracked around the edges it will rust.

**ekaphoto** · #3 17 Apr 2004

I wont hurt anything, but will reduce fuel capacity a bit. On trick I have heard of, but never tried was to pull the tank off, fill with water, then freeze it. The expantion of the water freezing will push the dent out. I think people used to do that to expand stock tanks as well. You need to keep the fuel cap on.

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John

**colesyboy** · #4 17 Apr 2004

Cheers for appeasing my mind guys...just got to get used to the 'orrible knock on the fuel tank now....oh well, at least it looks like its had some action I guess.

Cheers

Brian

**mcdarbyfeast** · #5 18 Apr 2004

When I managed to dent the tank on my brand new Honda Superdream (1978!) my dad got it out using compressed air from an air line where he worked. Luckily the paint hadn't been damaged.

I like the sound of the ice method though, sounds alot safer.

[This message has been edited by mcdarbyfeast (edited 17 April 2004).]

**Grant Johnson** · #6 18 Apr 2004

I'd be very careful with any pressure method of blowing a dent out.

I had several tanks with minor dents when I was a dealer, and we used air pressure to blow them out. Works fine with small dents, but if it has a crease, or the tank is very thin, often the tank will change shape - drastically - before the dent come out. Did one for fun and almost closed up the center frame tube slot completely!

The ice method worries me - the pressure will be harder to regulate and could ruin the tank if you're not watching closely.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**colesyboy** · #7 20 Apr 2004

Cool and dandy,

Will leave the bump in the tank, may get a new one back in the UK if it bothers me too much, as long as it will last the remainder of my journey to Chile, I'll be a happy clappy chappy,

Cheers all,

Brian
http://colesyboy.tripod.com

**chris** · #8 20 Apr 2004

i suggest you drop the bike on the other side. that way you'll have symmetrical dents and you can say it is meant to be that way. i'd believe you; then again i is a little simple in da hid.

you could also store a packet of peanuts, or some stones to throw at rabid dogs that are trying to chew your leg as you drive by.

HTH
ChrisB

**DougieB** · #9 21 Apr 2004

Hey...

I'll be getting a new tank fitted so mine will be 'spare'. Could do you a good deal on it, as my AT is the same colour as yours. And I'm just round the corner when you get back.

Doug

**colesyboy** · #10 22 Apr 2004

Chris, thanks for all the useful advise, I'll be sure to strap some peanuts and meat to the bike and take a hammer to the other side of the tank. 1st class.

DougieB - yup I'll be taking you up on the offer mate, really appreciate it!

See you with cash in hand when I get back mate, 4 months left!

Cheers,

Brian

**IanC** · #11 27 Apr 2004

If someone had told me this, I don't think I'd have believed them...

I had one of the original CR250R motocrossers ('78), and got a dent in the metal (steel?) tank. Just a small, fairly sharp one.

Thought I'd be smart, and try and blow it out, so after removing the tank and disconnecting the breather hose, connected a footpump (minus the valve connector) to the filler cap - not even using a jubilee clip! Pumped away for a while, with no resistance, thinking nothing was happening. Then to my surprise I noticed the tank was bulging in all directions! I couldn't believe what I was seeing (dent was still there). I had to force the tank sides back together to bolt it to the frame, and also it had developed a small split where it straddled the frame at the front, which not wanting to use any heat I bodged with some Plastic Padding. The tank must have held another litre at least by the time I'd finished!

Bottom line - I would only try and blow a _very gentle_ dent, not a sharp one. Better to fill it or leave it.

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