R90/6 tank question

[Sanders]

I'm the proud owner of my second BMW and she's a beaut! A 1976 R90/6. I think I'm going to really have fun bonding with her. I lusted after Beemers when I was 20, but couldn't afford 'em, so this is kind of a step back to my youth...When the wife said, "Get it" and no profanity followed, I jumped. The bonus to this is, when she say's, "You never listen to what I have to say!". I can honestly say, "I do to honey. It's out in the garage!":p
First problem though is the tank. The catch, or tang that the gas cap would grab to keep itself flush and tight is broken off (wondered where the gassy smell was coming from) the cap will catch, but with very little effort I can lift the cap right up. The previous owner came clean two days after the sale and stated that he just doesn't fill it up all the way. So I guess I'm going to need a new tank. I can make this one work for awhile but its not right and in fact its dangerous as a good slosh will fill your crotch right up:laugh
I knew I'd need to find a good parts place. Just didn't think I'd need one so quick. So anyone in the collective have any reccomendations?
Thanks!
http://saanders.smugmug.com/photos/475586487_aFUWm-L.jpg
http://saanders.smugmug.com/photos/475586458_LD8rD-L.jpg
http://saanders.smugmug.com/photos/475586475_GKUPN-L.jpg

I wish I could just add the pics, but I guess I can't figure it out, and I've wasted enough time trying so here are the links


Sanders

[kstoo]

Do you mean this part of the bung hole or the part of the cap? The cap can be replaced so I don't think that that is what you are talking about. Is there no way to repair your tank instead of giving it up? Something that involves some judicious Devcon craftsmanship? In the worst case the bung hole could prolly be repaired by brazing it up but then you would be re-coating the inside and repainting.
One solution would be to find another on evilBay and then put yours up for auction CLEARLY STATING this problem and let somebody else repair it.

Hey, post pictures of your "beaut", the R90/6 I mean.
As far as your wife is concerned; do you have a recording of what she said or do you have it in writing, signed and notorized? Don't plan on using that situation as proof of anything; it may put your motorcycle's existance in jeopardy.

:bolt

[amiles]

It seems as though a competent welder/brazer could do the job if they felt like it. lots of cautions for TOTALLY TOTALLY removing all gasoline vapors prior to.

Perhaps if the tank had water and ice cubes in it while the welding was in progress you might not ruin the paint.

residual vapor in the tank will explode and cause serious physical harm and or death.

You might check on the Airlist, someone must have had a similar problem in the past.

[Sanders]

Do you mean this part of the bung hole or the part of the cap? The cap can be replaced so I don't think that that is what you are talking about. Is there no way to repair your tank instead of giving it up? Something that involves some judicious Devcon craftsmanship? In the worst case the bung hole could prolly be repaired by brazing it up but then you would be re-coating the inside and repainting.
One solution would be to find another on evilBay and then put yours up for auction CLEARLY STATING this problem and let somebody else repair it.

Hey, post pictures of your "beaut", the R90/6 I mean.
As far as your wife is concerned; do you have a recording of what she said or do you have it in writing, signed and notorized? Don't plan on using that situation as proof of anything; it may put your motorcycle's existance in jeopardy.

:bolt


You got it! that little tang you are pointing to has broken off, great picture! The cap will not make a complete "grab" as the material is missing. The tank could use a repaint anyway, so I'll talk to a guy at work who could weld any oriface shut and make it look good too. This may have to wait until next winter as I want to ride it this season.

Still looking for a good used parts place, and I guess I'll have to re-learn the fine art of points...
Pic links added to original post

[crazydrummerdude]

The previous owner came clean two days after the sale and stated that he just doesn't fill it up all the way.

Did he give you some money back? That's low.

Buyer beware, but... he took advantage of you being a returning noob.

[Sanders]

Did he give you some money back? That's low.

Buyer beware, but... he took advantage of you being a returning noob.

Naw, I'm not going to ask him. I'd feel awkward. I figure its the chance you take buying used. It would not have killed the deal, but I would have knocked $200.00 off the price and walked away if he didn't like it. It doesn't seem to bother him as he has returned my calls when I had questions. Takes all kinds :laugh. But hey I appreciate your input on my behalf.
The difference between him and I is; I am a knuckleheaded salesman, as I point out all the warts which will tend to kill a sale. Knowing that I will never see the buyer again does not release me from the fact that I don't want the buyer to feel ripped off down the road...
However, I own an Airhead now, the wifey is very excited about relearning to ride and I love owning a beast that was built when I was 19 years old and a marine (with 2yrs. under my belt). I just think the time line thing is so cool.
Ironically we stayed in St. Charles Mo on the road to picking her up. Down to Belleville Illinois and back in 48 hours... with a re-route through East St. Louis. My Gosh what an eye opener that was for a country boy from Minnesota. The nicest building for miles and miles was the Health and Human Resources building. The S.O. told me to go buy a handgun after that (I might but not because of this experience)

Sanders - Budding Airhead...

[crazydrummerdude]

East St. Louis.

Ha. Yeah, thankfully St Louis is between me and ESL. That place is a dump.. but fun for an urban explorer to spend an afternoon.

100 years ago, outside the Armour meat plant (the place with the 2 smokestacks), was the worlds largest outdoor livestock market... would have been neat to see back then. Now, it looks like:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb66/urb_ex/armour/april06204.jpg

[Sanders]

In true Internet fashion, I'll respond to my own post :blah :blah

The guy I bought this bike from read this post, said it P.O.'d him at first, but he wrote to me anyway. We had a little dialogue and I'm convinced he just got used to riding the bike that way and simply overlooked telling me about it. He sent me $100.00 which I think is pretty generous. Considering the buyer/seller relationship and all that involves.
So the $$$ helps defray the cost of the new tank. The old tank has zero rust in it, the liner is all good with just the start of some wrinkling at the two low points. I was very surprised. I've given it over to a welder at work and I'm hoping he can save it. These tanks are hard to come by, so I feel like I'm working with an endangered species here. I've got my doubts, but who knows? Only the welder I guess...
Good Karma all around. Thought I'd share it with you all