Marbles Motors failed gas tank liner, then screwed up the warranty repair!

We used to take our tanks to a local shop that rebuilt radiators. They would coat our tanks for about 30 bucks. Probably took over 100 tanks to them when I was working at a restoration shop. Never had one go bad. - not quite sure what they used to line em (it was about 15 years ago) but maybe ask around if you have any radiator shops left in your town.
 
You really need to make sure whatever you line the tank with is impervious to everything in your fuel. See @Mailman post #7. What was a perfectly good tank liner 20 years ago may no longer be the case.

ZACKLEY!!

When I enquired about tank liners around here, all of the motorcycle shops used Kreme but further research revealed that it is dissolved by ethanol and so while it was a good product years ago, now it simply is not.

Challenging choices.
 
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My biggest fear is that the tank will be somehow damaged by them trying to remove the failed liner. If they decide to go after it with a torch and try to burn it out, the tank could warp or the connection to the filler neck could melt.

You really need to make sure whatever you line the tank with is impervious to everything in your fuel. See @Mailman post #7. What was a perfectly good tank liner 20 years ago may no longer be the case.

I’m also concerned that the liner they replace it with will be no more resistant to our fuel here, than the first liner, and I’ll be right back to square one.

The gas tank was delivered back to them yesterday. Maybe I’ll get it back by Christmas! o_O
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Bob: why don't you just ask them what product they intend to use as a liner?

In principle, if they can remove all of the existing rust in the tank and then apply an impervious liner, the tank should be fine (as long as it hasn't been perforated by rust pitting already).

The key thing, obviously, is the ability of the new liner material to withstand modern fuels. Given the amount of work put into that tank, I'd be keen to know what is going back into it.
 
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Wwhen I enquired about tank liners around here, all of the motorcycle shops used Kreme but further research revealed that it is dissolved by ethanol and so while it was a good product years ago, now it simply is not.
You ruined my day. If I remember correctly I used Cream in my Hurricane 30+ years ago. It had sat in a stock trailer for 7 years before I bought it. I was having rust problems. Not looking forward to dealing with that.
 
Well, back in the day it was good stuff. I was told that the problem isn't so much the Kreem liner material, it is the fact that it cannot withstand modern fuels.

Apparently, the people who made it have simply not kept up with the new fuel chemistry - but perhaps since I did my research, they have updated their formula.

In any event, you might want to have a go at re-lining the Hurricane tank....
 
You ruined my day. If I remember correctly I used Cream in my Hurricane 30+ years ago. It had sat in a stock trailer for 7 years before I bought it. I was having rust problems. Not looking forward to dealing with that.
I went through it eight years ago. I documented it at XS650 Garage USA. I'm not positive, but I believe Kreme is dissolved by acetone or MEK.

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Bob: why don't you just ask them what product they intend to use as a liner?

I have before. The guy that owns the business ( Randy Marble ) is not very helpful. He farms out the work and says he doesn’t know. The first time I sent it to him and I asked, all he could or would say is that it was some 3M product that they’ve done hundreds of tanks with and they’ve never had a problem. Then he starts getting testy and rushes you off the phone. I’ve mentioned this before, he’s kid of a crusty guy. In fact we didn’t part on the best of terms last time and that’s why I was all the more surprised when he offered to warranty the job. Maybe he was like that with so many people that is just business as usual to him and I was just another customer? I don’t know.
But to me, I didn’t really care for it.
Here’s another weird tidbit. His bike restoration business is in Plano Texas, but he has you send the paintwork to Oklahoma City Ok, which is 230 miles away. I Googled the address and it comes up as an automotive wheel repair company in a strip mall. When I asked about it , all he would say is that it’s the correct address. So is he subcontracting the paint out too, or does he own both shops? Again, I don’t know. That probably explains why he is so vague on the liner though, it isn’t done in his shop in Texas.
 
I have before. The guy that owns the business ( Randy Marble ) is not very helpful. He farms out the work and says he doesn’t know. The first time I sent it to him and I asked, all he could or would say is that it was some 3M product that they’ve done hundreds of tanks with and they’ve never had a problem. Then he starts getting testy and rushes you off the phone. I’ve mentioned this before, he’s kid of a crusty guy. In fact we didn’t part on the best of terms last time and that’s why I was all the more surprised when he offered to warranty the job. Maybe he was like that with so many people that is just business as usual to him and I was just another customer? I don’t know.
But to me, I didn’t really care for it.
Here’s another weird tidbit. His bike restoration business is in Plano Texas, but he has you send the paintwork to Oklahoma City Ok, which is 230 miles away. I Googled the address and it comes up as an automotive wheel repair company in a strip mall. When I asked about it , all he would say is that it’s the correct address. So is he subcontracting the paint out too, or does he own both shops? Again, I don’t know. That probably explains why he is so vague on the liner though, it isn’t done in his shop in Texas.
Bob
I hope and pray this works out OK for you.
If it doesn't I can set you up with this tank with matching side covers. Then you can put on extended forks and I'll sell you a speedo cable.
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What are friends for? Sleep easy tonight.
 
Bob
I hope and pray this works out OK for you.
If it doesn't I can set you up with this tank with matching side covers. Then you can put on extended forks and I'll sell you a speedo cable.
View attachment 175852
What are friends for? Sleep easy tonight.

Ha! I can see the vision man! You’re never too old to be young again, you can call me Thunderbird Duke! :D
Thanks buddy!
 
Bob
I hope and pray this works out OK for you.
If it doesn't I can set you up with this tank with matching side covers. Then you can put on extended forks and I'll sell you a speedo cable.
View attachment 175852
What are friends for? Sleep easy tonight.
Don't let @TwoManyXS1Bs see that! He'll be draggin' the chopper up from the back 40! (guess in texas it's the back 1600?)
 
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