Gas tank cleaning

Hey guys,

I have an 81 XS400HS that was given to me that has sat with a small amount of fuel in the tank for the last 20+ years. Aside from the huge amount of rust in the tank, the gas crystallized and formed a layer of crust on the lower areas of the tank. I've made good headway on getting rid of most of the surface rust by soaking the tank for weeks at a time with regular Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar and then Rust Restorer but there is still a pretty good amount of the crust in the valleys of the tank. I'm now soaking with regular fuel hoping that the gas will melt the old crust away but after about a week there's not a lot of change.

I've seen all the You Tube videos using the stuff I mentioned above but they all deal with rust and not the hardened crystallized gas.

Anybody deal with the same and have good success? Acid, drain cleaner etc???

Thanks

Tom

I have never had to deal with this but I know that after you will need to line/seal the tank or it will rust even more. Post some pics of the bike and welcome to the forum.

Yeah, I was planning on sealing it and I'll get some pics together and post them in the next few days.
Thanks for the welcome

I do have a few clean tanks for sale if you need one.

Vinegar and use baking soda after it's flushed to neutralize. I let it sit for a day made one hell of a difference.

As stated once vinegar is taken out rinse with baking soda. I have done a couple tanks and they look new inside. Also once the baking soda is drained and rinsed I add some of that HEAT gas dryer to the tank and swish it around. After that add some mystery oil and slosh it around. Tanks are good to sit until gas goes inside.

I let one tank sit for almost 3 weeks with the vinegar inside.

If you want to get rid of the crust, put in 20-30 small nuts and bolts and shake the hell out of it. keep doing it until you make progress.