Preventing rust in an empty gas tank

[Guest]

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm planning to have my bike painted and the gas tank is likely to be empty for about 2 weeks, based on the logistics of the deal. Does anyone have a good recommendation on how to minimize the likelihood of rust forming in the tank during the process? On bikes I've had in the past, it seemed like it happened rather quickly and I'd like avoid it, if at all possible. (I'm not going to have the tank lined or coated, so that's not an option.) Thanks for your thoughts and recommendations!

 

[alke46]

If it were mine, I'd pour something like mineral oil in it, slosh it around real good then let it drain. Easy enough to rinse it when ready for it.

 

[Guest]

I spray WD-40 in my empty tanks.

 

[chuck hahn]

What Bill said. WD the snot out of it and it will be fine for 2 or 3 weeks easily.

 

[salty_monk]

Any oil will do.... or you could use something like Boeshield T900

 

[Guest]

Thanks, very much, guys! I appreciate everyone's advice and will follow it!

 

[Grimly]

I'd just slosh a pint of diesel in it. Make sure to flush it out with a pint of petrol before use, as petrol bikes don't like diesel contamination, but usually takes much more than that to cause problems.

 

[GS1000S]

20 yrs. ago I put my CB400F into mothballs by draining the tank and putting a fresh quart of motor oil in it and sloshing it around. I plan to get it running again this year and the other day I hunted up the key and looked in the tank and it looks like it did when I put it in storage.