1972 Yamaha R5 350 "A Clockwork Orange" D-U-N Done! Well, at least for now.

Re: 1972 Yamaha R5 350 "A Clockwork Orange"

Whatever you do, please be careful.

Your welder could do it if you have it set up as a MIG. Don't even bother with it as a flux-core. Seriously, man, this is one job where it would be worth it to spend $10-$20 to have a professional do it. I know you're confident about getting the tank clean, but seriously: what's your face worth? What's the tank worth?

It's a 10 minute in and out job with a TIG with no clean-up afterwards. Personally, I would be nowhere near as confident as you about getting the tank clean. But I'm vain, and I worry about my face :)

Again, please just be safe.

--Chris
 
Re: 1972 Yamaha R5 350 "A Clockwork Orange"

Maritime Biker said:
I think you can weld a tank that has had fule in it if you clean it out well with soap and water and then fill it up with water to the top to prevent any gases forming. Not sure, so I would do a search. Someone on here did that on their build and may chime in. I can't remember the build though......I think they tried it just empty the first time and blew the tank across the shop ;D then did the fill with water trick.
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Sorry...I just read this. NO! Absolutely do not fill the tank with water and try welding on it. Fill it with Argon, CO2 or even helium from a bunch of balloons. But never fill it with water and have a go at welding it. We should really be far less cavalier with out advise...Just take it in and have a pro do it for $20.

--Chris
 
Re: 1972 Yamaha R5 350 "A Clockwork Orange"

+1




seriously man, just line the thing even if the inside if perfect....won't be forever.
Line it, touch up the paint where it's blistered and get that thing on the pavement!
 
Re: 1972 Yamaha R5 350 "A Clockwork Orange"

Yeah, i was skeptical on the water thing. made no sense, water+electricity=no bueno. Trust me, I may be new to this, but I've been around the block more than a few times and I don't just read one thing and go off half cocked. At least not when there is significant danger involved.

I'm still researching, i'll let you know what happens.
 
Re: 1972 Yamaha R5 350 "A Clockwork Orange"

Swagger has about the best solution with lining it. I know guys that hammered the seams on tanks then just lined them and never had a problem.

The leak was probably created by rust so I wouldn't weld it. Could turn into a PITA. Lining it would be best. If the leak were from a dent then maybe consider welding (but I'd still perfer lining it instead) If you end up welding, clean the crap out of it with soap and water several times. The fumes /oxygen are what gets ya. After the last drain of water, Let it dry, then Purged any air Fill it with non flamable gas like chris said then tig. I wouldnt do it any other way. Again like chris said for about $20 you can have a pro weld it. Then after it is welded you still should line it. So in the end I'd just line it and be done with it. The leak is so small that you should never have a problem with it after that. Just get it real clean and dry and line it. It's done... ;D My .02
 
Re: 1972 Yamaha R5 350 "A Clockwork Orange"

Sounds like lining it is the way to go.
 
Re: 1972 Yamaha R5 350 "A Clockwork Orange"

Alright boys, I ordered the POR15 Kit today from amazon. Found a "mini" kit for $40 shipped. enough to do one tank. I'm going to line the tank and fix the paint and call it good til April.

Starting the CB200 build this month as well as the old lady's Benelli 125 over the winter so stay tuned. 8)
 
Re: 1972 Yamaha R5 350 "A Clockwork Orange"

motofiaccone said:
Unless you have a really good set-up, I would not even attempt this job. Even if you did have all the right stuff, I'd pay someone else to do it.

What you CAN do is drain all the fuel and wash it out really well with 1/2 Simple Green and 1/2 water. I'd leave that in there for a few days and swish it around a few times a day. One you're sure it is absolutely clean and will not blow up in your face, you run a purge tube of argon through the petcock hole (petcock removed of course). Let the argon flow for quite a while. Then, dial down your back-purge a bit, but don't turn it off.

To weld it, I would use a .040" tungsten sharpened up. Get the weld going and get out of it as fast as possible. Don't sit there with the torch fired up for a while while you try to get your filler in position, you know? And next time, test for leaks :)

NOTE: I'm not telling you how to do this; use your own discretion. I just explaining one possibility.

--Chris

what he said

but, if you don't have a tig setup, oh and that's a lot of argon, just sayin, you could also braze the tank.

Acid clean the tank, then air dry after rinsing, both forced and natural. flux the joint using a paste flux, and then use a brass rod, maybe a silicon bronze.

again- these are not instructions, just a way it COULD be done.
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Re: 1972 Yamaha R5 350 "A Clockwork Orange"

Thanks for the tips. I'm going to go with the lining for now. I should shoot a pic of the spot. Its tiny, not even a hole and probably won't even need filler to hide it for paint. sandable primer will probably hide it.

I'm going to take some time and probably a class to get some skills with the welder and to better understand the science involved. God, I sound like an adult. :p
 
Re: 1972 Yamaha R5 350 "A Clockwork Orange"

motofiaccone said:
Sorry...I just read this. NO! Absolutely do not fill the tank with water and try welding on it. Fill it with Argon, CO2 or even helium from a bunch of balloons. But never fill it with water and have a go at welding it. We should really be far less cavalier with out advise...Just take it in and have a pro do it for $20.

--Chris
Click to expand...

Sorry Chris, I don' weld and I was trying to remember a postI thought I saw here. Should have found the post first so I had it right.
 
Re: 1972 Yamaha R5 350 "A Clockwork Orange"

Maritime Biker said:
Sorry Chris, I don' weld and I was trying to remember a postI thought I saw here. Should have found the post first so I had it right.
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Water flashing to steam is a pretty disasterous explosion risk, plus the nature of water is to resist temp change so it would mess up even a spot weld regardless - no aqua amigo. In all actuality, you could weld your gas tank if it was full of gas with the cap on - the issue is the fumes. That is what burns. Ever light a pool of gas/lighter fluid/etc on fire? The liquid is never burning - just the fumes hovering over it. Semi trailer tanks are almost never taken off for welding. As long as they're at least 1/2 full of fuel, they're welding that crap in place! (an activity way too high on the sphincter scale for me, buckos)

Myself? I wouldn't weld diddly with an explosive entity contained within. Welding will poop up your paint job anyway at this stage. Line it, touch up your little blemish, and get on with your life. You'll be happy you did.
 
Re: 1972 Yamaha R5 350 "A Clockwork Orange"

I welded on my tank.. It had sat dry for god knows how long, so I guess its a bit different. I agree with chris though, just pay to have this done. I wouldnt be super concerned about it blowing up, but more about burning through. I tried to weld up a few pin holes on my tank and I got them all done, then the last one burned through making a hole quite a bit bigger than a pin hole. I spent probably an hour chasing subsequent pinholes and burn throughs. I never was able to get it perfect, but the pin holes that were left were absolutely tiny, and I used the cloth patch that came with the POR15 kit. Havent put fuel in yet, but It seems air tight.
 
Re: 1972 Yamaha R5 350 "A Clockwork Orange"

The POR-15 kit is in the mail. Thanks guys!

God can you imagine trying to weld a tank full of gas!!?? :p
 
Re: 1972 Yamaha R5 350 "A Clockwork Orange"

Your POR cost you $35-40, right? If that doesn't work, you're going to be out $35 for the POR, plus the materials to strip it out (~$20), plus professional welding (~$20), plus another POR treatment ($35). I just don't understand why you would take that risk.

I really hope I'm wrong on this. I do have a prejudice because I don't like tank liners, but I seem to be in the minority on that one. Still, man, for $20 you could have gotten it welded. I know you love blowing off my advice, but you should strongly reconsider getting that little spot TIGed--THEN line your tank.

I've obviously spoken enough on the subject, so really, it's up to you. But it's not like I don't know what I'm talking about here.

--Chris
 
Re: 1972 Yamaha R5 350 "A Clockwork Orange"

motofiaccone said:
Your POR cost you $35-40, right? If that doesn't work, you're going to be out $35 for the POR, plus the materials to strip it out (~$20), plus professional welding (~$20), plus another POR treatment ($35). I just don't understand why you would take that risk.

I really hope I'm wrong on this. I do have a prejudice because I don't like tank liners, but I seem to be in the minority on that one. Still, man, for $20 you could have gotten it welded. I know you love blowing off my advice, but you should strongly reconsider getting that little spot TIGed--THEN line your tank.

I've obviously spoken enough on the subject, so really, it's up to you. But it's not like I don't know what I'm talking about here.

--Chris
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chris is being a little heavy handed with the advice, but I think its justified. If you really can get it spot welded for 20-30$ Id say go for it. If I had known this was the case, I would have done the same. If it really is a true pinhole then the POR15 should work fine, but for 20-30$ more Id get it welded and never worry about it again.
 
Re: 1972 Yamaha R5 350 "A Clockwork Orange"

Chris makes an excellent case. If it is only lined there is a chance it could still leak and you would be out the money for the liner. An extra $20 for a pro weld first would be money well spent. Really something to consider. I guess I had it in the back of my mind that you were still leaning towards welding it yourself and that is something I wouldn't recommend. Good luck with what ever you decide.
 
Re: 1972 Yamaha R5 350 "A Clockwork Orange"

Alright you guys, everyone needs to grab a glass, pour a little bourbon in it, take a deep breath and relax. I'm not an idiot and I don't live in Texas. I live in Maine where everything costs twice as much, at least. I called 4 places and one of them wouldn't talk to me. the other 3 were a minimum of $40 to look at/weld the tank. I'll line my tank. (So I can do it myself and learn :-\) if it works, great! If not I'll either try to weld it myself, have the tank welded, or buy another tank (the local salvage yard has several), for about $40, then I'll repaint it with my leftover paint, cost $0. I"m out only a little, I've set nothing on fire and I have the experience to show for it.

Chris, you're very talented, you build great stuff. You are also a complete narcissist and you need help, please seek it. ;)

I love all you guys and the input you provide. I can't wait to get this to show and shine and then on to the next project!!!
 
Re: 1972 Yamaha R5 350 "A Clockwork Orange"

LOL. A little arithmetic and I'm a narcissist :) With only the best intentions, I hope the sealer works well. Build on my friend.

--Chris
 
Re: 1972 Yamaha R5 350 "A Clockwork Orange"

Hey Diesel you think Maine is expensive, we go there to save money from NB, Our sales tax is 13% on everything and we get hosed for stuff. a 12 pack of beer costs $20.00. The same beer in Maine, shipped from NB, costs $20 for 24. Anyway, good luck on the lining and hope it works so you don't have to repaint, I have to re-do my tank again and it gets old fast. People keep banging stuff into it for some reason. Oh and I would gladly pay more to live in Maine, of all the States I have visited, it is the nicest place. A lot like home, only just enough farther south to have shorter winters by about 2 months. We travel there and NH all the time. My In-laws were just there Sunday to buy a turkey. We can save the cost of the gas for the 1 hour drive there and back in just the turkey and a gallon of milk, then buy some gas there and save another 10-15 bucks, it is crazy the gas comes from Saint John (where my inlaws live) and it costs 25-30% less in Maine, and we always get better mileage out of a tank as the puritiy is higher. K nuff ranting ;D

Merry X-mass!

Maritime.
 
Re: 1972 Yamaha R5 350 "A Clockwork Orange"

I made that post late and after more than a couple cocktails :p I'm glad it was taken in the spirit it was given. I really do appreciate the fact that you check in and offer the advice. I really wanted to find someone to tig it for cheap. Doesn't work that way up here I'm afraid. I am going to practice a little on a junk tank and see what happens.

Just to be perfectly clear, I was busting balls with Chris. nothing more. It takes one to know one, right?
 
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