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A tough decision

1032 Views 17 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  fysty-1
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Well I guess @ some point and time one gets to the point where you have to make a choice. Although I have not pin pointed the exact location of the leak but it appears that I have a leak in my fuel tank. I am getting a definite perfect circle of a wet spot directly below the fuel tank. But to make things more complicated is that in the same area, there is a lot of rust in the exhaust system. I thought Baby sounded a little noisier that I thought she should sound. The problem is that I can't afford to fix this latest discovery. The mechanic that repaired my cooling system problem told me that my wiring harness was pretty brittle and that if I have any electrical problems to look there first. With all this on my plate, I may just have to part out the bike as I could get more for her that way than outright. The fuel (???) leak is so small that it just leaves a halo on the concrete pad I park her on but no actual "wet" spot, so I am going to continue to ride her for the summer then decide what to do in the late fall. The one blessing is that I have a breaker less than 20 min away (Straightwings). The problem is I have to depend on a dealer to do the work. So before I start my self up with an Ebay parts store, I was hoping that one of you may have a better suggestion. Thanks in advance. Angela
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Hold off a few days and get some ideas now that you have put this out there. No rush, right?
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I had the same thing happen recently on my 97 Valk and I chose to try Caswell http://www.caswellplating.com/aids/epoxygas.htmbeforeI concidered atank replacment.

It has been approx. eight months now since I made this repair and the tank has been through several expansion cycles andno leaks. The key to making this repair a seccess is to follow the instructions. The productis easy to useand preparing the tank is by far the bulk of the work but worth it.



The product cost approx. $40 u.s. for a two part mix and is enough for a two coat process ona five gallon tank.
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I had it in my mind that your bike was a trike. If so how does that affect access to the tank, wiring and other problems?
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on aircraft we use a product called prc for fuel tank sealing, you may try local aircraft repair facility as this is a shelf life limited sealant they may sell out dated cheap to cut their loss, would still be good just no longer aircraft worthy. that being said it would only be good for pin hole repair not structural, need to clean area with alcohol, apply to inside of tank, and let cure 24-48 hrs, also must be mixed correctly. good product, we've sealed hundred plus gallon tanks, also i have used on auto gas tanks :action::waving:
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Fysty, I bet there are several Wingnuts in your area that would be willing to help with your repairs. Wish you were close enough to Knoxville, we have several here that would help out. Take your time with this decision. Sometimes time is all that is needed to get the help you need!

Bernie
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nobbie wrote:
I had it in my mind that your bike was a trike. If so how does that affect access to the tank, wiring and other problems?
That should really be no problem. All access is still the same for trike or two wheel for all up front and mid and rear as far as that goes. Same panels except for the bottom rear and wheels of course.
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Not to speak for Angela, but before the thread gets too hung up on the trike aspect of repairing the bike, she has a Voyager kit. Should be no issue with access.
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i used the por tank cleaner and sealer on my 1000 tank. they said it would also seal pin hole leaks , a lot cheaper than a replacement tank. but more work invalved.
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Thank you all for your suggestions. I have bookmarked the sealant site. And the words of "Rev. William B. Henry, Jr." I have a Voyager convertible kit so there is no difference with access except from underneath as there is mounting hwdr down there. I just had the shock of my life. The dealership says it id only $170.00 to replace exhaust system ( labour only ) but will cost $425.00 to re & re the fuel tank. That seem a tad high in my estimate but then I have never had to remove a Goldwing tank before.
Oh Happy Birthday Wingnut and hope you have many many more.:birthday::birthday::band::band::band:
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Well if its like the 1000 its a chore to remove the tank . Most everything has to come off the rear for access . It is a time consuming job to remove aside from the cleaning and reaseal of the tank .
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I'm not 100% sure but it looks like I may not have a leak ( fuel ) after all. I have a sneaky suspicion that it may just be an expansion leak. I can get a like new exhaust system from an 85 for $350.00 + $170.00 + taxes installed. I guess I can live with a hot ankle and loud exhaust for a while. I'll know fer sure bout the fuel tank tomorrow because I'm parking it in a different location so I can see if the is any more leakage as I am now down to a half tank. Well see.
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Bump
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Angela ,you might really want to consider a swap to a set of Road King mufflers . They can be picked up around my area for 50$ lots of times. I spent another $20 bucks at a muffler shop to have the " S " pipe bent to fit . My set exits out behind the bags . They are not loud. You might need to spend a few $ more for the muffler shop to make a rear braket .I would think you could have this complete for under $200 , labor and all going this route. If you have any interest in pictures of this PM your email addy .
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Mike thank you for the suggestion but as it turns out I already have a set sitting on my deck but my exhaust problem is not the mufflers. It is the X-over. It is full of holes and I just know that if I were to start messing around with the mufflers, the X-over would disintegrate. I have a chance to pick up a very good full system( stock) for 350 bucks. So for just under 800 dollars, I can have a low mileage exhaust on Baby. Just a matter hoping that Andy @ Straightwings can get me another exhaust like the one he has now next Spring as that will be when I can save up that amt. As for my fuel leak. I checked the bike this morning on it's new spot and there was nothing on the concrete. I a little over 100klms round trip to work so I fuel up every morning as I don't think I can get more than 2 trips per tank ( I ride to hard & fast), so Baby sits in the hot sun all day with temps lately in the 25-31o C mark, so it appears that the problem is fuel expansion. I will bee keeping a very close watch tho from here on out. Thanks all for your concern & suggestions. Angela.:action::action::action::cooldevil::cooldevil::cooldevil:
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FYSTY have you checked to see if the 1200 (I can't remember) has the plastic gunk collection tank like the 1100 does? If it gets filled as they do eventually they'll need emptying. If the connection is loose or there's a pinhole in the thing you'll get a oil and water leak. That can look like a gas leak and it does have a 'gassy' smell. Also run a finger under your petcock, fuel line, and filter, those are likely fuel seepage spots.
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Yep it's got one. Easy to get at on the left side at the bottom of the motor. Both mine were full, when I checked them.
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As said before in past 2 days, there has been no signs of leak. I have parke Baby on different location of drive & there is nothing on ground. It really appears as if it was full tank expansion. Also there was or is any smell of gas. I think this problem has been solved. But I won't get complacent and keep a close eye on it. As for the cross-over. It is so bad that if I tried to take it apart to put the gunk suggested here, it would fall apart in my hands. It definitely needs to be replaced. I have a breaker 15min away and he has a low milelage full system for 350 that I am going to try and find the money for.:action::action:
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