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Gas tank
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Gas tank
I am new to motorcycles in general and I now have a 1980 HD Sportster XLH 1000(I believe I translated the serial number correctly to bring me to the XLH). It has sat for about 20 years and had gas left in the tank. It has been recommended that I get a new gas tank, but that was as far as the recommendation went 
. So, I am looking for a recommendation on a new gas tank. Should I just get a tank exactly the same as the original? Is there anything special that I should be looking for? Where is a good place to start looking?
I am also looking to possibly get a new ignition cylinder as well because I have to key. I am not sure if it is cheaper to replace that or to just get a new key.
Thanks in advance for the advice.
. So, I am looking for a recommendation on a new gas tank. Should I just get a tank exactly the same as the original? Is there anything special that I should be looking for? Where is a good place to start looking?I am also looking to possibly get a new ignition cylinder as well because I have to key. I am not sure if it is cheaper to replace that or to just get a new key.
Thanks in advance for the advice.
Last edited by 1980HDSportster; Jun 9, 2013 at 12:11 AM.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Dallas,TX
J&P has new 3.5 gal tanks for about $120, and looks like you need to get sealer for it too (another $43). And you have to paint it. I'd pull the old one, remove the petcock, drain it out and look in it. You can always re-seal it if it's not rusted through. I've had a couple friends that used a cleaner and then a sealer and no problems.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 791
From: Heart of Dixie
Before you buy a new tank, is your present one rusted badly inside? If not, just clean it out well and use it. If it's flakey-rusty, it will have to be cleaned and sealed, which can damage the paint if you aren't careful. If you need a new tank, I'd try to find a nice one for your year on eBay - you may even run across one that's the right color. I paid less than $100 for this one, including shipping, and it was almost like new. It had a cool factory paint job on it, too, so all I had to do was buy a petcock, put it on the bike, add gas, and ride.
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
I did find that tank and sealer on that site. This may be a stupid question, but does the sealer get applied?
The tank is not rusted through but I am assuming there is a fair amount of rust in there. It was half full with gas for about 20 years. There was definitely rust up around the rim of the tank and on the cap.
Thanks for the replies!
The tank is not rusted through but I am assuming there is a fair amount of rust in there. It was half full with gas for about 20 years. There was definitely rust up around the rim of the tank and on the cap.
Thanks for the replies!
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 355
Likes: 3
From: Charleston, SC
you can try draining all the gas, washing it out with soap and water, then put some nuts and bolts in it (make sure they're magnetic) and fill it with apple cider vinegar. Shake it around a while then let it sit. Do this 3 - 4 times. It will clean all the rust out. I've done it several times. It works. There are videos on how to do it on youtube.com
Novice
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
Trending Topics
Novice
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
Check out this item I found on eBay:
End time: Jun 23, 2013 10:51:45 AM
Item: 02 Harley-Davidson HD Sportster XL883 XL1200 Fuel/Gas Tank
URL: http://pages.ebay.com/motors/link/?n...d=400472027049
Alt URL: http://www.ebay.com/itm/02-Harley-Da...-/400472027049
(Sent from eBay Mobile for Android)
End time: Jun 23, 2013 10:51:45 AM
Item: 02 Harley-Davidson HD Sportster XL883 XL1200 Fuel/Gas Tank
URL: http://pages.ebay.com/motors/link/?n...d=400472027049
Alt URL: http://www.ebay.com/itm/02-Harley-Da...-/400472027049
(Sent from eBay Mobile for Android)
Last edited by dbrunell 88; Jun 10, 2013 at 10:49 AM.
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Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Hey, thanks guys for the all the suggestions. At the moment I am waiting to hear back from a local shop to see if they would do the cleaning and sealing for me. I will also be looking into that nuts and bolts idea.
I looked at that tank on ebay and that is for a different model than what I have so I am a bit leery on that one.
I looked at that tank on ebay and that is for a different model than what I have so I am a bit leery on that one.
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