Tank Trouble

[Mike Shelby]

Hi - I've just bought back my old Black 3TJ that I sold about 8 years ago - Sad story but it turns out the lad I sold it too in 2004 used it for the summer and had a car accident in the November leaving him severley brain damaged. The bike was stored in a wet garage for years and then outside for a year under a cover just going rusty
Until his neighbour across the road bought it off his girlfriend to help them out money-wise. He was 70 and decided it was too sporty for him and he put it on ebay. Anway - I'd just been talking to my sons about that bike a few days before saying I wish I'd never sold it and then bingo - it popped up on ebay!! Anyway went to see it and was a bit gutted as it was sooo nice when I sold it. But I decided to offer quite a low price and bought it back. Bit of a sorry state now with a few problems.

The fuel tank even when half full spews fuel out from the closed filler cap!!! - even when stationary and switched off! Is this due to a breather pipe being blocked? - The tank is VERY rusty inside but the bike runs fine apart from it sometimes idols too fast on a closed throttle.

Front discs are in a terrible rusty state and haven't cleaned up even with heavey use - will discs from any other model yammy fit the 3TJ?

Forks are now pitted and leaking (hence my ad in the For sale and wanted section) and not worth putting new seals on.

Rear shocker is -eerrr shocking and feels so soft like the tyre is ripping apart around corners

It's a shame it is how it is but I think I can get it looking great again with some work, time and money - just really curious about the fuel tank situation - it just pours out! . . . and at the price fuel is, I need to keep it in - not to mention the smell on all my bike gear!

Despite all that and the paint work rusty and scratched I'm glad I got it back.

[Taggyd]

sounds like you have no pressure release if it's doing that, i'd say try clearing the breather and go from there. as for the rust, you can get sealer por-15 stuff is pretty good, it works well but the more you prep the better the results!
a good start is remove fuel tap and seal up. a few links of old chain and some petrol inside, shake well for ...well lots! and drain hopefully taking the worst of the rust with it. wash out tank and then use a rust dissolver (halfrauds do one) leave it in various positions for as long as you can then flush well, leave to dry fully then use the sealer, you basically pour it in and move the tank around until it's lined.
should solve problems with blocked filters etc and rust, probably cost around £30 all in, cheaper than a new tank!

[Mike Shelby]

Thanks for all the info - much appreciated . . that should keep me busy for a while!

[Taggyd]

got a couple of sets of forks, new seals in both!

[rockTJ]

Where abouts are you? I have a set of 3TJ discs here you can have if you can pick them up. I would have a rear shock too but I'm not that far down the road of stripping it

Chris

[Mike Shelby]

EC mentioned about putting up some pics - so hopefully this will work . . . Although these are from the day before I sold the bike in 2004. Will get some of it now when I can.

[Evilchicken0]

Nice condition ... EBC disc too

[Mike Shelby]

Nice condition ... EBC disc too

Ha - you've got good eyesight!! - unfortunately they're not all shiney like that anymore
Will sort that soon tho once I have some spare dosh

[Maelstrom]

Me too
Just had a good look inside my 3TJ1 tank today, very ugly.
I am considering jigsawing most of the bottom out and then soda blast the inside before welding it back together again. It costs a lot of money to import all the goodies that you guys can get your hands on. Scratch that idea. Electrolysis seems like the best way for me.
How about carb kits? Do they exist? Anyone know a source?