Not all bikes in the US have them, it's random. Some do, some don't, so it's not a legal requirement. I understand about cagers pulling out in front of you, happens all the time, but honestly I don't think they were ever looking anyway.

How do I feel tonight? Gutted. Fukkin gutted.

What started out as a great day ended on a bad note. Added fuel to the tank, hit the starter button a few times, and she fired right up. Within a few minutes choke off, idling fine. Let the bike run for about a good 20-30 minutes, checking everything over and bringing it up to temperature. Had a few intermittent surges and increase and decrease in engine speed, a little hesitant to rev cleanly. No problem, carbs need to be synchronised, and adjusted. Made a note to self that I would probably be removing them again and checking things over. Mechanically sound, everything working as normal, even took it up and down the street a few times. Carbs definitely out of order, but I'll sort that later. This bike has not been run for several years and sat for a long time, so I can't expect perfection right off the bat. Or can I expect that? I took my time, did everything right, took no shortcuts. OK, but at least it's close to being complete. Bike back in the garage. Standing there, I smell fuel. Ah, it's probably running a little rich and burning off all the crap from years of sitting stationary. Hmmmmm. No, now I actually smell fuel! Walk around the other side of the bike and the tank is pissing gas out the side. WTF?! It happenned. The damn TANK came back to haunt me. I debated and debated over what to do with the tank and the flash rust initially, but the paint was near pristine and I didn't want to ruin it. Friggin' pin point hole where it had rusted straight through. Ah crap, now I have to chemically dip/strip the entire tank, weld up the hole, or maybe holes? Then get it nickle plated and then get it re-painted, decals, the whole lot. More money, more time, and even longer until I get to ride the thing! Drinking a few more beers and going to bed.

One word mate GUTTED i really do feel for you i have watching this post and could not wait for you to get the bike sorted and out in the sun.

Would it not be a bit easyer to try and get your hands on a good tank from over here?

If you want i am sure one of the nice guys on hear might have one you can havat a good price and what with the doller exchange rate being in your favour at the moment. It might be a lot less hastle then fixing your tank ?

Matty.

here you go and it is like $45 at the moment, if i was closer to the seller i would go round and pick it up for you then sling it in the post. I am sure some one can help you out.

Matty.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Honda-RVF400-fuel ... 286.c0.m14" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Shit Jeff.. let me know if I can help for a tank from here.

What a nightmare! Drink some more beer and go and kick a cat.

what bad luck mate, i agree with matt though i think it would be far less effort and money to get a good condition tank off ebay

The plan is in motion. Acid dipping the tank to remove all paint, rust, and tank sealer. Gas welding the hole, hopefully there are no others. Electroless nickle plating the tank inside and out to permanently seal off the rust. Complete re-spray and graphics from a local painter who mostly does race bikes. Costly options but the best thing to do at this point. From the beginning I wanted to do this bike up 100%. I also found a complete carb gasket set off E-Bay Australia. I am thinking it can't hurt to replace all the gaskets and O-rings, specifically the O-rings on the pilot screws. I am quite sure that will solve the erratic idle problems. Thanks for all the positive comments! Cheers.

Stripped the tank. Horrible sight watching all that nice paint fall off the tank. Fortunately that was the only "hole". 2 or 3 tiny pinpoints on the top of the tank that caused spider craking in the paint. My mate that races sent me to his painter/fabricator. He welded up the holes by tapping in the area with a ball peen hammer and then filling them in with the Tig weld. This way when the area is smoothed down the weld is thicker. The tank is already in primer. I gave up on the nickel idea and opted to purchase one more can of the tank sealer. In theory I have confirmed that the outside of the tank is now free of any holes or damage and sealed so the tank sealer now has a better chance of working. I have two sets of Honda wing logos for the tank. White with gold border is standard. I also have black with silver border, prolly off NC-30, right? The tank should be finished in a week and the carb gasket sets are on the way from Australia.

RVFHooligan wrote: The tank should be finished in a week and the carb gasket sets are on the way from Australia.

Southern Cross Sports? Yuki keeps lots of consumables and spares in stock, but not very cheap mind (although the Aussie dollar is better used for fixing wobbly chairs these days...).

Stickshift wrote:

RVFHooligan wrote: The tank should be finished in a week and the carb gasket sets are on the way from Australia.

Southern Cross Sports? Yuki keeps lots of consumables and spares in stock, but not very cheap mind (although the Aussie dollar is better used for fixing wobbly chairs these days...).

Yes, that's where I got them, and they were about half the cost of a set from the UK so I'm not complaining.

Wobbly chairs???