How to remove dents from your tank..

[Sandman900ss]

If you were thinking this was serious technical information any longer than when the fireworks came out of the gas tank then you are a fool.

Didn't even click on it. Saw it was Ichiban bait, already knew it was junior high level humor and a waste of my time.

[trevor]

Didn't even click on it. Saw it was Ichiban bait, already knew it was junior high level humor and a waste of my time.

Lol...I think you just might be funnier than Ichiban!!

[Buffalo Bill]

The subject is dearly frustrating for all of us, but the video was only borderline funny.
The DIY welding made me cringe.
I suppose the video was made to ridicule dubious dent pulling kits, or my own failed attempts using those methods.

Gas tank steel is rather thick, and seems like dents would have to be hammered out.
Recently on ebay I saw a classic VF700 with serious gas tank dents, and was looking for methods to fix those. I think the only way would be to cut the bottom out, hammer from the inside and out, then weld the bottom back on.
I was looking for a video of that method when I found this Ichiban video.

[Hayabuser]

He could have made his life easier by popping the fuel cap on the tank immediately after dropping the match in. The pressure from the expanding gasses inside would have made short work of those dents.

Might be time for me to start my own YouTube channel.

[tkent02]

We tried that with compressed air, the dents popped out, but the tank assumed a new "puffy" shape, which actually held about another half gallon or so. Unfortunately it didn't fit the frame very well after that.

[greg78gs750]

you mean to say these vids aren't legit? maybe that's why my compression is so low after i used the plastic spoons to hone my cylinders. This guy should be held accountable.

Btw, i heard you can cure cancer by pouring cayenne pepper in your eyes....for real....

[bobgroger]

Here is my effort with the "As seen on TV" DingKing and the glue gun after the exhaust pipe fell on my tank. Thank you very much
Before:



After:

[tatu]

We tried that with compressed air, the dents popped out, but the tank assumed a new "puffy" shape, which actually held about another half gallon or so. Unfortunately it didn't fit the frame very well after that.

Sometimes you can pull that back by wrapping the tank in a towel (to stop marking the paint) and pulling it back with a ratchet strap or two. (Take care to not redent with the strap) Better still is to strap it before trying the compressed air.

[BurntKittyForge]

When I bought my current MC, the previous owner was going over stuff .
He was asking "what would you do about this " and that ? I figured maybe he had some sales skills and was trying to use a "projection" technique OR he really was attached.

Funny thing he said he heard to fill the tank with water and freeze it to pop the dents out.
I thought it was rediculous. one of several attempts to de-rust the inside(/remove failed, improper applied kreme) I had it full of couple "The Works" bottles and water and it froze once...Did nothing for dents. Didn't freeze solid though.

I was unaware of couple of dents , until I burned the paint off, and bondo dust/crumbs fell off.

Planning to cover one with maybe a Suzuki "S" logo . It'll be Gold flake used for picture frame touch-up.
With clearcoat on top. I could just find a printable image and use it for a stencil. The stuff is very Gold looking. Probably good for pinstripes BTW.

Another larger dent I could cover with a tank protector. Been daydreaming of same shape except cut from brass possibly.

Working on this bike I ponder how silly paint is on vehicles. Like "it's a great car, Oh, but the paint is scratched!" I really dislike paint.
Dents too. Imagine some folks are just hateful "Dentists" ...they don't like dents.
My other vehicle is a work truck and each dent/scratch was some $ it made.
Autobody guys should say they're "Dentists" for a joke maybe(?)

I think there's a few reasons for the Ichibon Moto vibe with some MC's:
One would be a lot of younger males especially ride/ work on their MCs.
The other would be that since the beginning motorcycles have been a budget vehicle.
Cheaper. Cheapest way to get H.P.:weight also
IMO both lend to the theme of the vid(s) probably.

Some of my own gear/ MC stuff I've had so long I get it out and toss it, like "what the heck was I thinking/saving this for?" or "I'm too old now" but other times wondering ,"Now how the heck did I make a buffer wheel from old carpet and polish those forks?" "That worked better somehow, what did I use?"

I can still put something together in my yard Because I want/need it to ride.
Because I ride. And that's what it's ALL about IMO.
Others go to a bike shop and spend thousands and that makes them "a biker" ...If I had it like that I would buy there too, but going to a shop and paying too much , to "look" a certain way , or get MC to, is not anything /much to do with riding IMO.
Must rest (Sleepy at the moment).[/rnt]

[azr]

Here is my effort with the "As seen on TV" DingKing and the glue gun after the exhaust pipe fell on my tank. Thank you very much
Before:



After:

Bob, that looks amazing. If you took that dent out yourself with that thing I'm going to have to go buy one.

[trevor]

When I bought my current MC, the previous owner was going over stuff .
He was asking "what would you do about this " and that ? I figured maybe he had some sales skills and was trying to use a "projection" technique OR he really was attached.

Funny thing he said he heard to fill the tank with water and freeze it to pop the dents out.
I thought it was rediculous. one of several attempts to de-rust the inside(/remove failed, improper applied kreme) I had it full of couple "The Works" bottles and water and it froze once...Did nothing for dents. Didn't freeze solid though.

I was unaware of couple of dents , until I burned the paint off, and bondo dust/crumbs fell off.

Planning to cover one with maybe a Suzuki "S" logo . It'll be Gold flake used for picture frame touch-up.
With clearcoat on top. I could just find a printable image and use it for a stencil. The stuff is very Gold looking. Probably good for pinstripes BTW.

Another larger dent I could cover with a tank protector. Been daydreaming of same shape except cut from brass possibly.

Working on this bike I ponder how silly paint is on vehicles. Like "it's a great car, Oh, but the paint is scratched!" I really dislike paint.
Dents too. Imagine some folks are just hateful "Dentists" ...they don't like dents.
My other vehicle is a work truck and each dent/scratch was some $ it made.
Autobody guys should say they're "Dentists" for a joke maybe(?)

I think there's a few reasons for the Ichibon Moto vibe with some MC's:
One would be a lot of younger males especially ride/ work on their MCs.
The other would be that since the beginning motorcycles have been a budget vehicle.
Cheaper. Cheapest way to get H.P.:weight also
IMO both lend to the theme of the vid(s) probably.

Some of my own gear/ MC stuff I've had so long I get it out and toss it, like "what the heck was I thinking/saving this for?" or "I'm too old now" but other times wondering ,"Now how the heck did I make a buffer wheel from old carpet and polish those forks?" "That worked better somehow, what did I use?"

I can still put something together in my yard Because I want/need it to ride.
Because I ride. And that's what it's ALL about IMO.
Others go to a bike shop and spend thousands and that makes them "a biker" ...If I had it like that I would buy there too, but going to a shop and paying too much , to "look" a certain way , or get MC to, is not anything /much to do with riding IMO.
Must rest (Sleepy at the moment).[/rnt]

Is it just me or does anyone else not have the attention span to read through burntkitty's posts???

[Cyrano]

Is it just me or does anyone else not have the attention span to read through burntkitty's posts???

I don't even have the time to read yours.

[nejeff]

Is it just me or does anyone else not have the attention span to read through burntkitty's posts???

No it's not just you. it's everybody. His posts are literally unreadable.

[alke46]

Hence the ignore button.

[bobgroger]

Bob, that looks amazing. If you took that dent out yourself with that thing I'm going to have to go buy one.

Check out Amazon for PDR tools. I have the old aluminum Dingking, the newer plastic ones are crap. I watched a car show on cable the other day about http://www.dentmagictools.com, it is absolutely unbelievable what they can remove with enough experience. The tank took a couple hours, I had to work it out a little at a time and it still needs a skim coat of filler and paint, but I was amazed. You need a dual heat glue gun and hi-temp glue to get enough stick to pull. I also have a stud welder and slide hammer but who wants to weld a gas tank....