Need direction on a Kreemed tank

[Guest]

Not having any experience with a Kreemed tank before I was hoping someone could help me out. I recently came to find an '82 GS850L for $100. It's all there but a lot of cleaning is needed. My issue is with the Kreemed tank.

The carbs have been completely dipped and rebuilt, but they were the worse mess I've ever seen. There was what looked to be sandy, caulky build up through out all the carbs. I was thinking maybe it was some residue from the Kreemed tank? Also, there is a spot inside the tank where the lining lifts up from the metal. I can't see any tears or anything in the lining though.

My question is: Do you think the lining would still be safe to use for daily driving? I'm wondering if the weight of gas will hold the lining down and prevent further issues.

I plan to rinse out the tank to double check none of the lining is actually falling off but was wondering if there is anything else I can do/check. As I said, my first experience with a Kreemed tank.

[Guest]

I Kreemed a tank once, it still leaked. I replaced it, you could still get them new back in '82.
Por-15 is the better way.

[tkent02]

Remove the Kreem, remove the rust, use POR 15.

[Guest]

I'm kind of leaning that way. Just wanted to make sure there wasn't some other option I was missing or forgetting. Thanks

[tkent02]

They say MEK will take out the Kreem easily.

[Guest]

Thanks...I guess that will be added to my "to buy" list. Which seems to always grow bigger, not smaller.

[spyug]

Plus 2 on the K. Get rid of it. POR is ok. Caswell Plating Sealer is better IMHO. The POR needs as much attention to prepping the tank as the Kreeme. The Caswell product, on the other hand does not. It is designed to cover and encapsulate any rust or scale. Just knock off the lumpy bits with drywall screws or rocks and a pint of acetone let it dry, mix up the 2 part epoxy and apply.

There is also something known as Redkote which I'm told is good too but I have no experience. I'll bet that it as good as the others and in any case way better than that K stuff.

Whatever you use, good luck with it.

...I guess that will be added to my "to buy" list. Which seems to always grow bigger, not smaller.

Can I get an "Amen"! Brother that is the truth....but what else would you spend your hard earned on, other than maybe, food, shelter, the family you know the "nice to have but not essential stuff"

cheers,
Spyug

[Guest]

Thanks Spyug...


Quote: I guess that will be added to my "to buy" list. Which seems to always grow bigger, not smaller.

Can I get an "Amen"! Brother that is the truth....but what else would you spend your hard earned on, other than maybe, food, shelter, the family you know the "nice to have but not essential stuff"

While we're discussing not essential stuff...I beginning to believe my 9 to 5 job is really disrupting my schedule. Maybe it's time to make that non-essential too. It's just in the way, taking up too much of my time!! What a pain!

[rustybronco]

They say MEK will take out the Kreem easily.

It does.

Just remember to carefully vent the excess pressure or the tank will 'pooch' out.

[spyug]

One thing you don't want to do with any restoration is keep tabs on the cost. You will surely give yourself, or worse the 'boss", a coronary.

I did it once on my first real bike project and when I totalled it up I almost threw up. Never again. I wanted to build an XS650 originally into a cafe racer. I set a budget of $1000 and picked up the donor bike for $500. when mocking it up I came to realize I wouldn't be able to ride a cafe so switched ideas to the street tracker concept.

It was then it took on a life of its own. I didn't like the suspension so new cartridge emulators and progressive springs in the front along with a fork brace and of course fancy shocks in the back too. I wanted better braking so go to a dual disk setup on fron t with SS lines and a bigger master. Back end didn't feel right so switch to a stiffer swingarm. Rear wheel didn't look right at 16" versus the 18" front so change to 18" rear etc etc.

The sad part was I only got to ride it for a few hundred miles before wrecking my sciatic nerve on the plank hard seat so after a year and a half as "garage art" it had to go. That's when the costs got figured and to my horror it was close to $4000. Of course I didn't get that on resale and the wife never lets me forget it.

So lesson learned .....don't keep any records or other evidence, its just going to take away a lot of the fun and enjoyment.

Good luck with it,
Spyug

[Guest]

Hide the evidence....that's the first rule of a bike build....like Fight Club... There is no evidence!