Skewed tank filler fix ?

[Grewth]

I've bought another '70 to '72 fuel tank.
It's got some issues that you'd expect with a fifty year old tank, but one thing that I never spotted before bidding was that an impact on the filler cap has bent the filler over about 10° to the left.
Having had some previous experience with these tanks, I know that those little alloy lugs for the filler cap are VERY fragile, and can't be used as a leverage point.
So I'm just wondering if I can devise something to pull this bit straight without damaging that fragile alloy casting ?
Sheet metal work really isn't my thing, but I'm open to any sensible suggestions

 

[Jim]

Have a read here. The gist of it is yes, you can make a little fitting for a slide hammer and tap it back out to proper shape.
https://www.xs650.com/threads/painting-tins-no-really.56271/post-742785

 

[Grewth]

That will work !
Many thanks !
Not sure if I'll need to bias the slide hammer effort to the left, or just a straight pull in the middle.
I'll just have to take it easy, and see how it goes.
The tank is now plastered with a thick coating of paint stripper, it will probably take a week for me to get it absolutely paint and bondo free.
Then I'll try to pull the filler straight

 

[Jim]

Not sure if I'll need to bias the slide hammer effort to the left, or just a straight pull in the middle.
I'll just have to take it easy, and see how it goes.

Yeah, the tank will let you know what it wants. If that's biased to one side, roll with it.
You might find it lifts the opposite side a tad. If it does, set a piece of wood on it and ((gently) tap it back down.
Let us know how it shakes out?

 

[gggGary]

Have a read here. The gist of it is yes, you can make a little fitting for a slide hammer and tap it back out to proper shape.
https://www.xs650.com/threads/painting-tins-no-really.56271/post-742785


View attachment 260437

Just have to ask; bare woman in the room?
Must be that magnetic personality.

 

[Jim]

She was prolly out there yellin' at me for sumpin I forgot to do....

 

[DogBunny]

https://www.xs650.com/threads/thoughts-on-dent-removal.59219/page-2#post-689002
Here's another skewed neck repair, post # 39.