E: Engine Fuel tank needs cleaning

[Chris.R]

Hi guys and gals My Comet TVK960 of 1954 vintage is new to the club, I take delivery today and first job is to clean the tank of all residues a brownish substance comes off the finger what should I be using to clean the tank bicarbonate of soda has been suggested and a wash through with a garden hose, any ideas will that do it. The tank still has all the original paintwork, logos and gold lining which I would not want to damage as it is bloody good looking like all the other paintwork.
I last owned a Comet NKN112 in 1968.

Is that stop light correct for 1954? the bike comes to me as unmolested.

Chris

 

[davidd]

Chris,

Welcome! The bike looks quite nice.

The tail light is not correct, but it is much better in the dark than the original. An LED replica of the original "STOP" tail light would do nicely. The tank looks lovely, but it looks like a restoration to me. Originals have no clear coat and a rarely shiny. The transfers on original tanks were painted over with varnish and would be somewhat cracked by now. Most are just gone from years of rubbing.

I always clean the tank with acetone or industrial chemicals that require safety gear and will damage the paint. (Usually, original baked enamel will be fine with chemicals).

You are lucky to have folding foot rests! It may be the angle, but it looks like you have sidecar handlebars. Stock bars a painted black, like yours. The stainless mudguards are a nice touch also, but aluminum were stock.

Lots of Comet lovers here!

Best of luck,

David

 

[macvette]

Hi, If its rusty, i have found the best (safest) way ist clean the tank by electrolysis. The process uses washing soda solution, mild steel anode, a battery and charger. It will not damage paint and does not remove metal.It is slow so you need to be patient. You may need a battery depending on how 'smart' your charger is. A lot of modern chargers will not apply voltage if there's no voltage detected hence the charger is connected to the battery and the battery to the tank
There are good guides on the internet so I wont repeat the details here. I used this method to clean the tank on my Vincent and my two 1930s bikes. I posted pics of the Vincent tank on here some years ago.

 

[Chris.R]

Chris,

Welcome! The bike looks quite nice.

The tail light is not correct, but it is much better in the dark than the original. An LED replica of the original "STOP" tail light would do nicely. The tank looks lovely, but it looks like a restoration to me. Originals have no clear coat and a rarely shiny. The transfers on original tanks were painted over with varnish and would be somewhat cracked by now. Most are just gone from years of rubbing.

I always clean the tank with acetone or industrial chemicals that require safety gear and will damage the paint. (Usually, original baked enamel will be fine with chemicals).

You are lucky to have folding foot rests! It may be the angle, but it looks like you have sidecar handlebars. Stock bars a painted black, like yours. The stainless mudguards are a nice touch also, but aluminum were stock.

Lots of Comet lovers here!

Best of luck,

David

Thanks David I will be taking more photos when I get the old girl around midday, comment noted re the handlebars another thing to be checked out along with the carb which is not kosher and the rear stop light and the tank now and to see how much needs to be done to this allegedly unmolested machine. I still figure the mudguards to be aluminium but am thoughtful as older British spec would have been for a front # plate, I do not see fittings for that.

The tank did not appear rusty inside on my cursory look just coated with crud. With a fuel bottle attached to the pipe she went at second kick.

Chris

 

[Chris.R]

Hi, If its rusty, i have found the best (safest) way ist clean the tank by electrolysis. The process uses washing soda solution, mild steel anode, a battery and charger. It will not damage paint and does not remove metal. It is slow so you need to be patient. You may need a battery depending on how 'smart' your charger is. A lot of modern chargers will not apply voltage if there's no voltage detected hence the charger is connected to the battery and the battery to the tank
There are good guides on the internet so I wont repeat the details here. I used this method to clean the tank on my Vincent and my two 1930s bikes. I posted pics of the Vincent tank on here some years ago.

Hi Macvette I don`t think the tank to be rusty inside just dirty from dried out fuel and messy to the touch. I will have a better look when I get the old girl later today. If it is not rust what is the best way forward.

I am hoping to go to the local South London branch meeting at Sidcup on Tuesday to start to be involved. There seems much to do.

Chris

 

[erik]

i can recommend this method: take the lead particels from hunting munition and together with one liter diesel fill it in the tank.then shake the tank and turn it round.if you have a concrete mixer you can fix the tank on the mixing machine and let it rotate in different positions.after the cleaning the tank has a thin coat of lead and all the bare steel is protected.regards Erik

 

[ClassicBiker]

I've cleaned a couple of tanks old fuel residue and lite surface rust with good results and no paint damage by using hot water and white vinegar. I've poured a good amount of the vinegar in tank and topped off with hot water and sloshed it around. Let it sit a few minutes and repeat until the water cools off. The crud that came out was startling. I've also used regular coca cola and hot water. The phosphoric acid that all cola drinks use to get the tart taste will clean up lite surface rust and not harm the paint. Unless of course you drop the tank while shaking.
Both mixtures will break up all sorts of crud found in old tanks. Plus you can pour it down the sink with out worry to dispose of the mess.
Steven

 

[stumpy lord]

I've cleaned a couple of tanks old fuel residue and lite surface rust with good results and no paint damage by using hot water and white vinegar. I've poured a good amount of the vinegar in tank and topped off with hot water and sloshed it around. Let it sit a few minutes and repeat until the water cools off. The crud that came out was startling. I've also used regular coca cola and hot water. The phosphoric acid that all cola drinks use to get the tart taste will clean up lite surface rust and not harm the paint. Unless of course you drop the tank while shaking.
Both mixtures will break up all sorts of crud found in old tanks. Plus you can pour it down the sink with out worry to dispose of the mess.
Steven

you could always use phosphoric acid rust and limes scale de scaler available from A.P.L chemicals,
they supply one type with rust inhibiter in it, and costs about £12 a liter. I have used it on an old , arnt they all old tanks, with good results, and is quick as well.
norm

 

[ClassicBiker]

you could always use phosphoric acid rust and limes scale de scaler available from A.P.L chemicals,
they supply one type with rust inhibiter in it, and costs about £12 a liter. I have used it on an old , arnt they all old tanks, with good results, and is quick as well.
norm

True there are the same type of product available here but a 2 liter bottle of coke costs me around a $2.00.
Steven

 

[Bill Thomas]

Just don't drink it !, I used to drink cans of it coming home from the races, Now my teeth are paying for it !.
Cheers Bill.