New member.

[rider]

Hi,
I just joined the group, 2 strokes in the shed are a GT750L and, after owning one in 1977, I have just picked up another T500M. It's in nice original condition, although a little tatty from age. In the coming weeks I will be stripping her down, doing the crank seals, powdercoating the frame and geneally checking and tidying. I have a question regarding the fuel tap. The tank looks good, nice original paint, just a couple of shallow dents and small scratches, so I want to leave it as is. At some stage it must have rusted out or stripped threads at the fuel tap, as it is held in place with a big blob of metal putty, not too noticeable, and doesnt leak. The tap was put on at slightly the wrong angle, and the frame has been ground away for the vacuum hose to be able to be be fitted to the tap. I want to fix the frame before powdercoating, but don't want to remove the tap for fear of what I might find. Will it work ok if I blank off the vacuum at the carb, blank off one fuel line at the tap, have one line coming from the tap with an in line on/off tap fitted, and then a tee piece with the 2 lines going to the carbs, and keep the tap on prime?
Thanks for any advice you may have.

[Alan H]

It will cause heartache as it's a bodge job.
You will only have fuel when the tap is in the prime position, and 'on' and 'reserve' won't work.
If there is a tap fixing issue, do it right.
I wouldn't want to ride a bike that someone else stuck the fuel tap on, if it dropped off and several gallons of petrol suddenly soaked your jeans, boots, engine and hot exhaust, there may be issues with excess heat suddenly being noticed in certain body parts.


The choice is yours, of course. Only you know the value of your nuts, legs, feet, bike, etc.

[tricky1962]

Bodgers of the world unite!

As you've described it, it will work fine, but you won't have a reserve obviously.

I'd keep a close on the tap though in case vibration starts to loosen it and another eye for another tank

[rider]

You're right guy's...I know it should be replaced, I just dont like the thought of possibly ruining a paint job that has lasted really well for 40 years. I'll strip it down and have a look at why it's been done. Plus, the cost of getting another good condition tank and respraying is a pain.

[Coyote]

Ideally you could find a trash tank, cut out the spigot area and weld in your tank. Yes they weld tanks and no they don't explode. If the welder is really paranoid, he will fill it with water before welding. Another option would be to totally clean off the botched area, get a donor spigot (with some metal around it) and JB weld it to your tank. 4 or 5 sheet metal screws coated with JB weld to secure it. Probably last the life of the bike.
How bout some pics?!

[rider]

Thanks for the advice. I'll see what it looks like when I cut it back.
I tried posting pics from my computer, but failed and see I have to do it via photo bucket or similar. New ground for me! I'll give it a go.