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81 cafe RE-build from Qc
- Thread starter oli36
- Start date
Update/Question
So the vinegar is still in my tank, it's been about a month now.
And i noticed that there is a little of vinegar coming out of my petcock.
This is what came out in 4-5 days. I'd like to know if you guys are recommending to do a petcock rebuild or the quantity of liquid is not enough to take it apart .
So the vinegar is still in my tank, it's been about a month now.
And i noticed that there is a little of vinegar coming out of my petcock.
This is what came out in 4-5 days. I'd like to know if you guys are recommending to do a petcock rebuild or the quantity of liquid is not enough to take it apart .
Last edited:
With a tank that bad you should have it lined. There are a bunch of methods for doing this. Do some research on the subject. Rebuilding the petcock would be a good idea.
What do you mean by " a tank that bad "?
Btw the liquid you see there is apple cider vinegar.
You have had a LOT of rust come from that tank. The rusting won't stop after a vinegar rinse. You will need to line it to make it stop.
Ohhh ! What do you recommend to line it ? Red kote ?
Update
*SO ! There is still rust coming out of the tank but it starts to look pretty good inside !
INSIDE:
*I also bought a new gaz filter and the PO didn't have the same size that was on my bike so he sold me this (A little smaller (in fact it's like half of the size) but he says that it's going to do the job ! ) What do you think of this ?
*So i decided to disassemble the petcock (I was planning on ordering a petcock rebuild kit ) and i found THIS !
As you can see there's no filter on top of it, is it normal !?!?
And look at this ! What the .... is that !?!
It looks like the previous owner filled the holes with some gasket sealant or something else !?!
WAIT ! There's the worst part of this !
So I'm asking my self if it would be a better idea to just get a new petcock ?
*SO ! There is still rust coming out of the tank but it starts to look pretty good inside !
INSIDE:
*I also bought a new gaz filter and the PO didn't have the same size that was on my bike so he sold me this (A little smaller (in fact it's like half of the size) but he says that it's going to do the job ! ) What do you think of this ?
*So i decided to disassemble the petcock (I was planning on ordering a petcock rebuild kit ) and i found THIS !
As you can see there's no filter on top of it, is it normal !?!?
And look at this ! What the .... is that !?!
It looks like the previous owner filled the holes with some gasket sealant or something else !?!
WAIT ! There's the worst part of this !
So I'm asking my self if it would be a better idea to just get a new petcock ?
Norman1950
XS400 Addict
Aluminum and vinegar are the best of friends, especially after sitting for while. That gray paste is probably the aluminum breaking down. So yes a new petcock would be a must to solve your problem.
thank you Norman ! And do you have an idea of where i can get one !?! Anybody on the forum has one for sale !?!
The one on ebay aren't cheap with the shipping cost to canada
Norman1950
XS400 Addict
Check with Mikesxs.net. The "newer" xs650 have the same 46mm spacing has the xs400s. But please double check me on that before ordering. I know mikesxs.net has a Canadian distributor also.
Humm there's a couple model on mikexs website. But they are all non vaccum. That doesn't matter !?! The only difference is that there will no more be a hose that goes to the carb to the top of the petcock right ? Also with a non vaccum i'll have to close the valve when i'm done with the bike ?
Norman1950
XS400 Addict
That is correct. You will have to make sure to cap off the intake barb. Also the reserve position might get in the way of the tank, if I remember correctly.
Allright ! thanks for the info, now i have to find one. Since thesse aren't not in stock on mikexs canadian website |!
http://www.mikesxs.net/product/20-0019.html This is what I have on my 80 and 82 xs400. No issues with the reserve position and works great. Just remember to turn it off when done riding and turn it on before starting.
http://www.mikesxs.net/product/20-0019.html This is what I have on my 80 and 82 xs400. No issues with the reserve position and works great. Just remember to turn it off when done riding and turn it on before starting.
Thanks for the confirmation Chris ! I'm definately going to order one as soon as they are in stock at xs650direct.com ! ( Probably 6 weeks unfortunately ! )
RobbyD
XS400 Enthusiast
You need to try The Works toilet bowl cleaner if it's available around you. Google search it, it works very well and I've had great success with it when I did my cb550 tank and the old metal tank on my cub cadet garden tractor. Make sure to neutralize with baking soda when done or it will keep rusting though.
When I first cleaned my tank out with vinigar I thought it looked great but after one ride my petcock was filled full of junk that didn't get clean. After using the works, it was near perfect on the inside
When I first cleaned my tank out with vinigar I thought it looked great but after one ride my petcock was filled full of junk that didn't get clean. After using the works, it was near perfect on the inside
This is my first time earing this technique ! So the vinegar is still in my tank so when i'm going to flush it out, i should neutralize it with baked soda (What's the proper quantity of water vs backed soda ?) and after that I should put The works toilet bowl cleaner inside the tank and just sloosh it around for couple minute then flush it out , rinse with gas and after i should be good to go?
Thank you Robby, i juste need a little more detail
RobbyD
XS400 Enthusiast
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=31970.0
Check that link out he tells you step by step.
As far as how much baking soda to use I really don't know, I just mixed about a quarter of a small box with about of gallon of water and dumped it in, swished it around for a minute or two ,rinsed and then sprayed the inside of the tank down with wd40 bc I wasn't filling it up right away.
Check that link out he tells you step by step.
As far as how much baking soda to use I really don't know, I just mixed about a quarter of a small box with about of gallon of water and dumped it in, swished it around for a minute or two ,rinsed and then sprayed the inside of the tank down with wd40 bc I wasn't filling it up right away.
Update
This week mail call !
I'm going to reassemble the bike and hope it runs like it was ! The only thing missing is the spark plug wire but i'll try it with the old one !
In this mail call :
New petcock no vaccum
Feeler Gauge
Spark plug non resistor cap
Baking soda - to neutralize the acids in the tank
Marvel Mystery oil - to put in the tank to prevent any rust
Screws
Rubber cap
This week mail call !
I'm going to reassemble the bike and hope it runs like it was ! The only thing missing is the spark plug wire but i'll try it with the old one !
In this mail call :
New petcock no vaccum
Feeler Gauge
Spark plug non resistor cap
Baking soda - to neutralize the acids in the tank
Marvel Mystery oil - to put in the tank to prevent any rust
Screws
Rubber cap
