Kawasaki 1400 GTR

1400 GTR - All Models => 1400GTR Discussion => Topic started by: Buck99 on November 23, 2013, 10:13:50 PM

Title: Fuel tank rust
Post by: Buck99 on November 23, 2013, 10:13:50 PM
Ladies and gents
I was talking to a dealer in cardiff recently and he was telling about a rust problem effecting early GTR's (mine being a 2007). Apparently there is a small plate on the surface of the tank under the seat which gets rusty and will in time write of the tank. I was wondering if anyone else had encountered this problem and had any good solutions ? I was thinking just getting rid of the rust there and then filling in the gap with surface filler. Thanks in advance !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)
Title: Re: Fuel tank rust
Post by: Debs on November 23, 2013, 10:45:37 PM
I scraped off all the rust and covered the areas affected in Vaseline.. Problem solved.  :clap:
Title: Re: Fuel tank rust
Post by: Buck99 on November 23, 2013, 10:46:48 PM
That does sound easier lol. Tvm


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)
Title: Re: Fuel tank rust
Post by: BDF on November 23, 2013, 11:19:29 PM
I have an '08 (first year C-14) that has the same thing- small lines of rust at the tank seams under the seat. They are really more of an eyesore than a real problem and I am not aware of anyone actually having a real problem with the tanks rusting through. More of a scary story than a real problem it seems.

As someone else said, wipe off the rust, and coat the whole area with some petroleum based grease and the tank should last two lifetimes IMO. I think I used axle grease way back when and it has not been a problem since.

By the way, I am a bit surprised that Vaseline is Vaseline in the UK too (I am in the US); that is the common term for that stuff here as well.

Brian

Quote from: Buck99 on November 23, 2013, 10:13:50 PM
Ladies and gents
I was talking to a dealer in cardiff recently and he was telling about a rust problem effecting early GTR's (mine being a 2007). Apparently there is a small plate on the surface of the tank under the seat which gets rusty and will in time write of the tank. I was wondering if anyone else had encountered this problem and had any good solutions ? I was thinking just getting rid of the rust there and then filling in the gap with surface filler. Thanks in advance !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)
Title: Re: Fuel tank rust
Post by: Buck99 on November 24, 2013, 05:32:52 AM
The dealer I spoke to said he had replaced a tank for exactly that reason. As for vasaline I think it's just a global brand


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)
Title: Re: Fuel tank rust
Post by: Lonewolf on November 24, 2013, 08:15:32 AM
As a preventative measure, each time I wash the bike I always remove the seat afterwards and wipe away any excess moisture from the bodywork of the bike and in particular around the petrol tank which would normally be covered by the seat. Then I leave the seat off to allow any dampness in the underside of the seat to dry out. It's worked so far.
Title: Re: Fuel tank rust
Post by: Buck99 on November 24, 2013, 08:17:07 AM
Well I gotta wash my bike more often anyway so might give it ago lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)
Title: Re: Fuel tank rust
Post by: O.C. on November 24, 2013, 09:25:56 AM
This was a fairly common problem with early GTRs, my 2007/8 bike suffered the same 
Title: Re: Fuel tank rust
Post by: Buck99 on November 24, 2013, 09:26:33 AM
What was ur cure ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)
Title: Re: Fuel tank rust
Post by: O.C. on November 24, 2013, 09:28:53 AM
I identified the problem at an early stage, I removed the small amount of rust and re painted (it was only a very small area that was affected), it was then a case of making sure the underseat area was dried thoroughly after each wash  :yes: 
Title: Re: Fuel tank rust
Post by: Buck99 on November 24, 2013, 09:32:44 AM
Yep more deep cleaning needed then just a small amount of surface filler lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)
Title: Re: Fuel tank rust
Post by: Lonewolf on November 24, 2013, 02:56:07 PM
Quote from: O.C. on November 24, 2013, 09:28:53 AM
I identified the problem at an early stage, I removed the small amount of rust and re painted (it was only a very small area that was affected), it was then a case of making sure the underseat area was dried thoroughly after each wash  :yes: 

Sounds like I finally did summat right for a change!  :mfr_lol:
Title: Re: Fuel tank rust
Post by: O.C. on November 24, 2013, 04:26:18 PM
Quote from: Lonewolf on November 24, 2013, 02:56:07 PM

Sounds like I finally did summat right for a change!  :mfr_lol:

awww ~ bless  :mfr_lol:
Title: Re: Fuel tank rust
Post by: virginiajim on November 26, 2013, 08:30:46 PM
I had it on mine and just put some rust remover/encapsulator stuff on it after I removed the sticky pad covering it up.  As I don't wash the bike that often or ride it in the British Isles, it hasn't appeared to have got any worse.  Some dealers here have replaced the tanks under warranty due to that condition but I'm not sure how the UK warranty works for your bikes.  Then again, slathering it with Vaseline isn't a bad solution but I would think it might attract dirt as a side effect.
Title: Re: Fuel tank rust
Post by: MGvalerio on November 30, 2013, 07:53:26 PM
Raise the fuel tank from the front, you will realize how much oxidation hides, remedied the problem with rust converter.

MG valerio. :whistling:
Title: Re: Fuel tank rust
Post by: nogoslow on December 03, 2013, 02:36:00 PM
ACF 50. Stops corrosion, displaces water. Just spray a bit onto a microfibre cloth and wipe over the affected area on the back of the tank where the corrosion is. To fully protect you whole bike have you considered getting the all year biker treatment. Many on here(and many other forums) have had their bikes done and are really pleased with the result.