One of my bikes tipped over and put a golf ball size dent about 1/4 inch deep in my 2005 ST's tank. I would appreciate any advice on how to proceed on getting this repaired. Thanks.
Tank dent
- Thread starter delta st
- Start date
JohnK
Site Supporter
That depends on how big is the purse and if it can be repaired. I dented my VFR tank and it isn’t creased but not a nice visual. Repairable almost the cost of a new tank (not painted). Post a pic of the damage. Might look into getting a salvaged one and paint it if yours is not repairable. I can relate - garage spills and grand kids can be a curse
If the paint hasnt broke/cracked, try looking up someone in your area that does paintless dent repair. Most car dealerships can point you to one. They use those guys all the time
OP
OP
Bare metal showing in part of the. dent. I post a pic in a while. Thanks.
Probably be easier and cheaper to find a new tank. Ebay?
ST1100Y
Site Supporter
Friend of mine runs a "service station" (car window replacement & body shop) and utilizes like a glue-gun attachment and a sliding hammer on smaller dents...
Works fine on car fenders, hoods and roofs... dunno about effectiveness on motorcycle tanks since they're made of thicker metal...
just put a lit M-80 in the tank; leave the gas cap open so it doesn't over pressure; then run like hell...
kidding...don't try this at home.
kidding...don't try this at home.
Last summer I had a Guzzi tank painted. Solid stock color, two stripes on each side. Cost was $800. He took my tank down to bare metal, it needed no bondo for dents but I believe the original tank's first coat of paint was very thick - probably to give a smooth base coat. Based on prices I got up here in NE Ohio, that was a very good price. Before you jump for another tank with the usual unknowns (interior rust?) price a paint and bondo job on your tank.
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Once, on a 1978 BMW R100S I owned, I got a similar ( though larger) dent. Being pretty poor at the time, I went out to Wal-Mart, and bought a Ding King. It had a small hot glue gun, a puller, and some hot glue sticks. The idea is that you "glue" a pad with a stud on it to the center ( or edge of a larger dent) of the dent, and use the puller to pull it out. It worked pretty darn well! Might be worth a try if you are so inclined.
Suppose the paint isn't scratched. You probably could go to a Dent Repair they can use a paintless repair tool on the tank. Tips.
So repainting is definitely an issue. "Patching" paint i.e. spot repainting is probably more art than science. But dentless repair might work if the metal isn't too "stretched".
When someone pushed in part of my car's front fender I acquiesced to allowing a dentless repair guy try to mend it. But if I didn't absolutely like the results it would go to body and fender people all on his dime.
It was a miracle. It's impossible to tell where the dent was except for the factory paint being flatter where transfer was buffed off. If I hadn't seen it I wouldn't believe it possible. 10 maybe 12 years later is still looks great. But the guy said when the metal is stretched too much there's no way to put toothpaste back in the tube.
Good luck with your repair.
Grand Rouge
Site Supporter
There are a couple of 05 tanks on ebay......"advertised" without scratches or dents or rust...... for less than 300 delivered.
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