Tank Repair?
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Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 92
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From: Vancouver, WA
Tank Repair?
I'm looking at a 2010 Fat Bob that needs a small 1/2" by 3/4" dent in the tank repaired.
Any idea how much it could possibly cost to do this?
Should I just plan on spending $1,000 for a new tank?
Any idea how much it could possibly cost to do this?
Should I just plan on spending $1,000 for a new tank?
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 364
Likes: 90
From: Kansas City
Is it going to need to be repainted or is the paint still in tact? A lot of PDR (Paintless Dent Removal) companies can pop it for a fraction of the cost of that new tank, as long as they are able to reach the dent from within tank I believe (the last part is hypothetical, never had it done)
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Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 92
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From: Vancouver, WA
Two slight nickel size chips from being hit by a teenager doing dumbbell exercise reps while sitting on the bike.
Paint chipped off! Slight dent; however,easy to reach with tank removed from bike and opened up.
Only want it painted to match the gloss black. Not sure if it can be spot painted or if they must repaint the whole tank as I've never had a bike tank repaired?
Last edited by Spokane2303; Feb 21, 2019 at 08:17 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 364
Likes: 90
From: Kansas City
LOL, I had to read this about 4 times and then still chuckled. Take it by your local paint/collision and they could give you a good estimate just looking at it. I'd say black would be an easier color to match, but I'm not a painter
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
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From: 40.2444° N, 75.6419° W
I have been through a situation like this, and right off the bat, I waill say that in November of 2015 it cost me $650 to have a dent fixed on my Red Dyna tank. The guy started a Paintless Dent Removal Process (PDR)
but the paint cracked in the process of the repair man pushing the dent out fronm the inside. I think the heavy guage metal of H-D tanks had something to do with it, the guy said if it was a Rice tank, it would have popped right out.
Either way, the guy proceeded to push the dent out of the metal, but the paint needed to be refinished. I juast had the whole tank "paint matched" and added late model emblems instead of decals on the tank. As said though, if you can find a tank on E bay. that may be the way to go
if it is a plentiful color like Vivid black..
but the paint cracked in the process of the repair man pushing the dent out fronm the inside. I think the heavy guage metal of H-D tanks had something to do with it, the guy said if it was a Rice tank, it would have popped right out.
Either way, the guy proceeded to push the dent out of the metal, but the paint needed to be refinished. I juast had the whole tank "paint matched" and added late model emblems instead of decals on the tank. As said though, if you can find a tank on E bay. that may be the way to go
if it is a plentiful color like Vivid black..
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Philly Suburbs
When I first got my FXDX it had a dent on each side of the tank, caused by the under-bar turn signals. One side was small and had no paint damage, the other side was larger and looked like the paint was okay, but looking closely there was some subtle spiderwebbing. I work at a car dealer and have access to a really good PDR person. After looking at it, he didn't want to touch it. He said the steel is thicker than most automotive panels, the paint was hard and brittle, he didn't think he could get enough inside leverage if I removed the tank, but he wouldn't touch it on the bike unless it was completely drained. He was also sure the paint would break as soon as he started messing with it. I ended up lucking into an NOS FXDX tank on eBay that had sat in a parts department for over a decade without ever being installed on a bike. It had the factory shrinkwrap on it still. It was pricey, but perfect. I had it ceramic coated prior to installation.
Maybe you'll have better luck with a PDR vendor than I did, but you may need to take it to an actual body shop if you want to repair it. I would definitely be all over eBay right now if I were you.
I still have the dented tank and would still like to repair it, but no longer care about the paint. Since I have a good original, I would do something custom on the second tank.
Maybe you'll have better luck with a PDR vendor than I did, but you may need to take it to an actual body shop if you want to repair it. I would definitely be all over eBay right now if I were you.
I still have the dented tank and would still like to repair it, but no longer care about the paint. Since I have a good original, I would do something custom on the second tank.
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Beyond Fucital
Ive got a small dimple in my right side tank that I did myself when a 1.25 ratcheting wrench popped the gear while tightening my fork cap.
I was able to get a little out using heat and cold butane. But not all of it. I tried to do my own PDR but the metals to thick and it won't budge.
Local PDR guy won't touch it. Paint's intact and unless you know it's there you don't notice it. But I know it's there. And knowing I did it makes it worse
I was able to get a little out using heat and cold butane. But not all of it. I tried to do my own PDR but the metals to thick and it won't budge.
Local PDR guy won't touch it. Paint's intact and unless you know it's there you don't notice it. But I know it's there. And knowing I did it makes it worse
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