Robins, (rip), mistake was to leave the vinegar in the tank for several months...........a few days is all it needs, 3 or 4 at the most depending on the severity of the rust.
A softer approach but more time consuming is to use molasses in a water mix. This mixture about 10 parts water to one part Molasses needs to be kept at a warm temperature for the fermentation to work its wonders. Could take several weeks, again depends on enviroment temperature and severity of rust, and it stinks as the fermentation process advances, so a well ventilated area is required. ..........Leaves a black surface on the metal, rinse with warm to hot water then a good WD40 rinse to get rid f the water. No flash rust from the water........ and its ready to go.
What ever way you go to get rid of the rust the best way to stop rust from forming in the tank is to keep the tank full of petrol when not riding. Especially in a cold climate where condensation is a problem, the bike should be stored in such a way as to stop the condensation.
I used to leave my bike in Taranaki, NZ, (cold and wet climate in the winter and can get warm in the summer), in a wooden shed with a wooden floor at my fathers place. It would be there for a year sometimes 2 before i went back. This got very cold in the winter and to stop the rust from condensation i used to keep the Tank full and made sure the bike was well wrapped up with sheets and blankets and then water proof tarps, (in-case of a roof leak). Also sprayed liberal amounts of CRC, wet start or WD40 all over the bike before wrapping up. This was from about 1992 - 2010. This was taken last year and the bike has had no make overs since i bought her in 1989............ Oh yea its an 83SK Canadian, Dealer Import to NZ new in 83 with 000 k's on the clock.........Fact is it has spent more time in storage than out out it. looks a bit like yours before the polishing
If you ever get the urge to just polish and polish some more your welcome to come and visit
A softer approach but more time consuming is to use molasses in a water mix. This mixture about 10 parts water to one part Molasses needs to be kept at a warm temperature for the fermentation to work its wonders. Could take several weeks, again depends on enviroment temperature and severity of rust, and it stinks as the fermentation process advances, so a well ventilated area is required. ..........Leaves a black surface on the metal, rinse with warm to hot water then a good WD40 rinse to get rid f the water. No flash rust from the water........ and its ready to go.
What ever way you go to get rid of the rust the best way to stop rust from forming in the tank is to keep the tank full of petrol when not riding. Especially in a cold climate where condensation is a problem, the bike should be stored in such a way as to stop the condensation.
I used to leave my bike in Taranaki, NZ, (cold and wet climate in the winter and can get warm in the summer), in a wooden shed with a wooden floor at my fathers place. It would be there for a year sometimes 2 before i went back. This got very cold in the winter and to stop the rust from condensation i used to keep the Tank full and made sure the bike was well wrapped up with sheets and blankets and then water proof tarps, (in-case of a roof leak). Also sprayed liberal amounts of CRC, wet start or WD40 all over the bike before wrapping up. This was from about 1992 - 2010. This was taken last year and the bike has had no make overs since i bought her in 1989............ Oh yea its an 83SK Canadian, Dealer Import to NZ new in 83 with 000 k's on the clock.........Fact is it has spent more time in storage than out out it. looks a bit like yours before the polishing
If you ever get the urge to just polish and polish some more your welcome to come and visit