Petrol tank dent

[Manxman]

Does anyone know the best way to fix a dent made when (previous ) owner dropped the bike on its side...or indeed whether it's worth it?

[Coldrider]

I have heard that you turn the fuel tap off, insert a running hose into the fuel filler, and enclose the filler with a rag, the water pressurises the tank, popping the dent out. I have never done it or seen it done, but could be worth a try.

[Shadows]

I have heard that you turn the fuel tap off, insert a running hose into the fuel filler, and enclose the filler with a rag, the water pressurises the tank, popping the dent out. I have never done it or seen it done, but could be worth a try.

I thought is was compressed air. Ditto, never seen it done either.

[Motig]

Looks a bit to creased from the picture for it to pop out under pressure. Just take it to a good panelbeater and get his opinion. Some of them have a suction disc thingy (I think) which might be able to pull the worst out or they do have special shaped bits and pieces for knocking out those awkward spots. Alternatively as you say you could have to live with it if the cost is too dear-repaint etc.

[westie]

A panel beater mate of mine took two dents out of my tank. He spot welds pins onto the tank and then has a slide hammer(fixed to the pins) to bring the dent out. A little grind, primer and bog was all done in a day.

[Shadows]

Just talking to a mate who's done it a few times, he reckons if you pressurize the tank with air to only about 3-4 psi and then work your way around tapping the edges of the dent with a hammer it will slowly pop out.

Apparently filling with water and freezing can work too, but if you overfill it you could do more harm than good.

[Chrislost]

if all else fails, buy a tank bag

[kevfromcoro]

Yeah air will do it,,i think...but dont use to much pressure.as someone stated 3-4 psi is enough.

[Animal]

Ouch! That looks nasty. The only dents I've ever managed to successfully remove were hail damage. I heated the area up with a hairdryer, then held a sock containing a handful of of dry ice against the hail dings. The dry ice caused the metal to shrink rapidly, pulling the dents out. I was amazed at how well it worked! I don't think that will help to fix your dent, but it may be worth remembering for sometime in the future if you need to pull out a little ding.

[Pussy]

Get hold of Frenchy on this site. Franz is a gun at this sort of thing

[Coldrider]

Beaware that applying heat to a petrol container is a very dangerous action.
Petrol fumes are ingrained in the metal, needs to be thoroughly washed out.
An experienced panel beater will be aware of this.