Tank - rust & varnish

[TrapperAH1G]

OK guys, not my Valk, but I am in the process of reviving a Shadow Tourer VT1100 that's been sitting for at least 3 years.  The tank, as you'll see from the pic, was really bad.  I used Citric Acid bath procedure and was amazed at how it turned out.  Thought I would share.

[TrapperAH1G]

Epilogue:

Treated tank, new gas, new petcock, new battery, new plugs, changed oil.  Took about 10 tries before she fired up, ran "OK", then smoothed out.  Let idle for 10 minutes, sit for 45, then she fired on the 3rd "rotation" and seems fine.  Gonna run a couple of tanks of seafoam to clean things out.  Think I may do a crankcase flush also.  Only 300 miles on the oil before I changed it, but it came out black and thick, sitting for many years.

Anyway, thrilled things are going so well so far.  Hope none of you ever have this to do!!!!!

[ridingron]

How careful do you have to be about the tank paint?

[crow]

This would not apply in your case because it would destroy the paint.  My 60 gal rv tank had rust and gunk on it. Removed tank. Then bought oxalic acid powder. Mixed a strong batch, built a charcoal fire and set the tank on that. I was totally amazed how well that worked!

[TrapperAH1G]

ridingron - sorry for the delay in responding.  Citric Acid is claimed not to damage paint.  Now, I wouldn't leave it on long myself after seeing how it ate the rust and varnish in my tank!  I did get some on the paint and it was drying into a white powder.  Washed it off with soapy water, gone and no damage.

Got this bike running but it was REALLY lean, ended up pulling carbs to rejet.  Carbs were almost pristine, bowls clean, main jets clear....but the slow jets were clogged.  Going back to stock, waiting for the parts to come in.

[h13man]

Might adjust the pilot screws to 2 3/4 turns. Helps alleviate de-accel popping. Tourer's are the cream of the VT1100's IMO. The only quirk my 06' Spirit had, it would vapor lock on extremely hot day burger stops. Done it 3x in 35,000 mi. I miss the lighter weight but thats about it. Honda Shadow Network is the best support if needed.