13B-RX3
Registered
Recently picked up my first Hayabusa. One of the first things I noticed was what I thought to be a little rust in the fuel tank. I was planning on addressing this winter, when I painted the tank, but after riding her for a few days it was obvious that she wanted attention now. This is licorice, she will be the patient. 2005 with 2500 miles.
Starting, with the fuel tank, after removing the pump I found way more rust and varnish then was evident from looking into the filter cap. Here was the condition to begin with.
First thing I did was fill the tank with E85 and let it sit in the sun for about 2 days. I needed to remove as much varnish as possible. The hydrochloric acid I would use later doesn't touch the varnish, nor does the E85 remove rust. After 2 days with the E85, this is what I was left with.
Most of the varnish turned loose, but just to be sure, I sloshed around a gallon of MEK for about an hour. This was the result.
With all the vanish gone, it was time to bring out the big guns. This part gets a bit dangerous and if you choose to go this route, you do so at your own risk. Hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid) is nothing to toy with! It generates some nasty vapors as well, so make sure you vent the tank often as to not build up too much pressure. Make sure you have a gallon of water and baking soda handy to neutralize any spills or if you get any on you. Have everything you need ready because after you add the acid, the clock starts ticking. Definitely use all the proper PPE please. After I added the acid (1 gallon), I would gently roll the tank around for 1 minute, then vent the tank. I repeated this for 10 min. It works very fast so don't overdue it. After I was happy with the results, I neutralize the acid in the tank with baking soda. Slowly add until there is no fizzing when you add more. I drained the acid to be properly disposed of and filled the tank with water and baking soda 4 times to make sure it was fully neutralize. I'm total I used 14lb of baking soda. This was the result.
The tank can't be left in this condition because it will quickly rust if left untreated. I blew the tank dry and immediately added a quart of Ospho. Slosh it around in the tank for 30 min, soak up the excess, she let it dry for at least 24 hours. After it has fully dried.
When dry it's leaves a bit of a white, chalky residue. Put a couple quarts of gas in the tank, slosh it around, and dump it out. That will take care of the loose residue. Here is the final result.
I topped the tank off with a new cap and she was ready to go back into service.
Next I will go over the fuel pump/filter.
Starting, with the fuel tank, after removing the pump I found way more rust and varnish then was evident from looking into the filter cap. Here was the condition to begin with.
First thing I did was fill the tank with E85 and let it sit in the sun for about 2 days. I needed to remove as much varnish as possible. The hydrochloric acid I would use later doesn't touch the varnish, nor does the E85 remove rust. After 2 days with the E85, this is what I was left with.
Most of the varnish turned loose, but just to be sure, I sloshed around a gallon of MEK for about an hour. This was the result.
With all the vanish gone, it was time to bring out the big guns. This part gets a bit dangerous and if you choose to go this route, you do so at your own risk. Hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid) is nothing to toy with! It generates some nasty vapors as well, so make sure you vent the tank often as to not build up too much pressure. Make sure you have a gallon of water and baking soda handy to neutralize any spills or if you get any on you. Have everything you need ready because after you add the acid, the clock starts ticking. Definitely use all the proper PPE please. After I added the acid (1 gallon), I would gently roll the tank around for 1 minute, then vent the tank. I repeated this for 10 min. It works very fast so don't overdue it. After I was happy with the results, I neutralize the acid in the tank with baking soda. Slowly add until there is no fizzing when you add more. I drained the acid to be properly disposed of and filled the tank with water and baking soda 4 times to make sure it was fully neutralize. I'm total I used 14lb of baking soda. This was the result.
The tank can't be left in this condition because it will quickly rust if left untreated. I blew the tank dry and immediately added a quart of Ospho. Slosh it around in the tank for 30 min, soak up the excess, she let it dry for at least 24 hours. After it has fully dried.
When dry it's leaves a bit of a white, chalky residue. Put a couple quarts of gas in the tank, slosh it around, and dump it out. That will take care of the loose residue. Here is the final result.
I topped the tank off with a new cap and she was ready to go back into service.
Next I will go over the fuel pump/filter.