Any suggestions for easy fix of smashed tank?

[rikanaka]

Thanks to UPS, my fuel tank, which looked like this prior to shipping:



now looks like this:





Any suggestions, short of cutting it open, that I can try? Has anyone ever attempted inserting a sturdy bladder (such as one salvaged from a football) and using air pressure to "re-expand" the tank?

[charlesp]

Oh! that looks very very sad!.

I'm tempted to suggest that the very best answer - best as in easiest, quickest, most reliable - is to look for a replacement tank.

Not sure about rubber bladders, but others have had success cutting off the ends and replacing them after a session of precision panel beating. But that seems to be attending to dented end caps, and I don't hold out much hope of getting the central portion back into shape - no matter how carefully you attempt to straighten the flat bits, I reckon they'll still be distorted.

With a 102 tank something might have been achieved, as the central portion is cylindrical, and may respond to internal pressure.

So I'll stick with the first answer, I'm afraid - find another one. I know that may not be as easy as it may sound..

[charlesp]

.... or of course, you can refer to the Briish Seagull advertising of the early fifties...


'Fuel tanks, too are a sensible shape and made of brass which can be straightened out or soldered or brazed by any competent ironmonger, garage or blacksmith..' ( My bold)

..so there's another answer.

Obviously the standard of the aforementioned craftsmen has changed over the last half century.

[CatiGull]

Im sure a decent replacement can be had from John readily.