bike won't run

[RichBaker]

What'd you use for the caustic solution?  I have a Suz. Intruder that I need to get running and the tank's pretty dirty....

[jack02]

It takes YEARS (or decades) of painfully bad technique to get "experience".   
Or, maybe just waiting a day or two before diving in to a job to allow those who have already "been there, done that" to reply with a less difficult method to accomplish the same thing.

Arnie

I know,I know... the combo of a lack of time and an even greater lack of patience are the twin evils which have plagued me for as long as I care to remember! Anyways,get this - I was mooching around in the shed about an hour ago,not wanting to start anything that I knew I wouldn't have time to finish,when I absent-mindedly picked up the fuel tap. It occured to me that something wasn't quite right,took what seemed like ages to realise that the plastic gauze filter was absent! For the life of me I can't recall if it was there when I removed the tap, (I think old-age has been creeping up on me and is now tapping on my shoulder) but I know that I most certainly did refit it when I had the tank in bits a coupla years back. Well I looked absolutely everywhere but there's no sign of the filter. Had a quick look on the 'net for a replacement but as far as I can see they're only available when purchased with the whole tap assembly. Stuff that! Being somewhat of a magpie I tend to bring home lots of 'junk' from work,much to the missus' chagrin. I remembered about some ultra,ultra,ultra fine 316 stainless steel mesh I brought home aeons ago,so I've rolled some up into a tube and shoved it into the hole where the original filter went. What will happen now is the missing item will materialise! Don't care,I think my one is better.... ah well off to work again!

[rktmanfj]

What'd you use for the caustic solution?  I have a Suz. Intruder that I need to get running and the tank's pretty dirty....

A lot of guys use phosphoric acid for tanks...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphoric_acid

I get it at Home Depot under the name 'Prep 'n' Etch', IIRC.  It's about $15/gal.

Randy T
Indy

[carsick]

What'd you use for the caustic solution? 

I used what came in the POR kit, I forgot to look at the ingredient listing. The second acid step definitely listed phosphoric acid as the ingredient, but I believe the first solution was a diluted sodium hydroxide, AKA caustic soda or lye.
This will sound a bit overcautious, however I've used the stronger liquid and powder versions in an industrial setting and can attest that they are FUCKING dangerous if added to water too fast, very much so with hot water. Acid will only burn you, caustic will liquefy your flesh. It creates heat when reacting with water or tank crud, it can flash boil in the tank and blast out at you! Definitely use goggles and gloves, make sure it doesn't run down the glove cuff if you lift the tank up, a gloveful will give you a wonderful chemical peel. Also dissolves aluminum, so petcocks out first. Even well diluted, a little sloshing and time will strip most any gum out of the tank with the caustic. The phosphoric acid is great for the rust after the gum is gone, but you'll have to coat it with something afterwards, it will rust almost instantly while drying. 

[RichBaker]

I have "prep & etch", got it at home depot, but I need to clean the varnish out 1st..... Someone said vinegar will work, on another forum, Intruder Alert.  I think I'll try the vinegar, since I have some and it's cheap.... if that doesn't work, I'll look for some diluted sodium hydroxide, AKA caustic soda or lye.

Thanks guys....