Planet Minis

bmyers98

I've noticed a lot of atc's that have dents in the front of the tank on either side from the handlebars. Mine has them as well. Are there any handlebar stops or something I'm missing here. I'll probably be getting a new tank, maybe a plastic one, but I don't want the problem to continue. What's a way around this if there are no stops?
Thanks,

h-899

Yes there is a handle bar stop probably needs bent back in place

BUZZ 50s BROTHERHOOD

a good body shop can take the dents out of the tank or try freezing the tank with water in it to push the dents back out,there was a thread started on this a week or two ago....try the search function on here.....

freezing exhausts to remove dents........

bmyers98

Thank you. I didn't realize there were any handlebar stops. I haven't noticed any on the bike. I'll definitely look into that. Thanks for the tips on the gas tank dents with freezing or body shop repair.

Twizted

The steering stop is a fairly small tab that hangs down on the back of the frame head tube. They get bent both back and sideways over the years. Sometimes the weld cracks and they break off completely. bending them back usually doesn't work as they are already weakened and will bend easily when forced. Best bet is to completely remove it and weld a little wider tab piece in its place.
Freezing the tank works pretty well on "soft" dents, (ones that don't have a sharp crease), but you also risk widening any rust through areas near the tank seams.
Try working the dents out using a blunt ended anything that you can reach the dent through the gas cap hole. If this is your first time body-working anything, it's a good project to start with. Don't try to push it out perfectly, just get it pretty close without making any bulges above the surounding areas.
Sand or strip ALL paint from the area, (might as well buy some "aircraft stripper" and strip the whole tank wearing gloves)! Mix up a little filler, (like Rage Gold or any good filler), and start sanding! Use a little black spray paint to fog the areas, (guidecoat), and sand again to find the high and low spots. Repeat the process a couple of times, (filler, sand, guidecoat, sand), and you'll be painting in no time! Plastic tanks are cool but nothing beats a factory steel tank for looks!. Check out the white 70 I just finished in pics... the tank on that one had huge fork dents on both sides,and a big dent on the top and I don't know squat about body work! Took about 3 hours and maybe 10-15 bucks to do!
Good luck

bmyers98

I'm getting ready to freeze my gas tank. How much water should I put in the tank? Does the water level need to be just above the dents? Does the tank need to have the gas cap on it as well or just leave it open? The dents I have are vertical towards the front and probaby 3" long x 1" wide. They appear to be soft dents with no hard creased edges.

BUZZ 50s BROTHERHOOD

fill it so it covers the dents you might have to do it a few times till the dents are all out let us know how you get on with it.......

bmyers98

What's the easiest way to bend that tab back in place a bit without removing the engine?
Thanks,