Dented tank

[gel9001]

Could anyone recomend best way to get a dent in a tank repaired. Should I go to my dealer--BMW Manhattan, or take it to a body shop. I had my annual winter get-off on sand and salt @ Bear Mt. this afternoon. When I went down the handlebars folded down and the bottom of the left signal switch hit the top of the tank and put a nice ding in it. I'm o.k. but plenty of damage done, valve covers, clutch handle etc.

thanks for any suggestions,

Gene

[tor1150r]

I discovered a dent in my tank a few years ago (different bike though).
There are a couple of ways to repair this - before you consider a new tank.

There are mobile service trucks that do this sort of thing. They have to look at it to make sure their tools (no jokes please!) can be inserted into the tank and clear any in-tank plumbing while trying to get to the "D" (dent) spot. You'll probably pay for a service call if you chose not to have them repair it on the spot.
They use a suction device on the outside, while applying pressure to the dent on the inside. Most people seem to be happy with the results.

There is also a dry-ice method. From what I have heard, this method contracts the metal and, magically, it pops back into place (they say).

What you have to be concerened about, if you go the repair route, is if the anti-corrosion coating on the inside of the tank is damaged. If it is, even in the slightest, you risk oxidation from the inside out. Not good.

I would be inclined to take it to the dealer. At least they know what to look for and can quote you, based on the severity.

Glad you're OK though!

[gel9001]

thanks Tor, the dent is right on a ridge on the top of the tank. I think its going to be tough to get that one out. I'm leaning towards taking it to the dealer.

G

[marko]

I put a golf ball size dent in my tank a few years ago and decided to live with it.
Luckily no paint damage or flaking, just the nice round indent!
Now i don't even notice it.
And i am anal about my bike!

[jm1515]

Could anyone recomend best way to get a dent in a tank repaired. Should I go to my dealer--BMW Manhattan, or take it to a body shop. I had my annual winter get-off on sand and salt @ Bear Mt. this afternoon. When I went down the handlebars folded down and the bottom of the left signal switch hit the top of the tank and put a nice ding in it. I'm o.k. but plenty of damage done, valve covers, clutch handle etc.

thanks for any suggestions,

Gene

Glad to hear you're OK, G...
A couple years ago I did the same thing after some pavement inspection

on my Kaw cruiser.
I went to http://www.autobarn.com
and bought an inexpensive 'DentKing' glue/suction device that worked OK. I was able to reduce two softball sized dents down to little dings.
From there some Bondo and paint did the rest. Came out pretty good...

[rdsmith3]

My bike was a dealer demo. One person did the same thing as you, and there is a slight ding on the right side of the tank. I have lived with it for 3.5 years. It is hardly visible with a tank bag.

[Deano]

A buddy of mine had a 0 MPH drop on my bike shortly after I took delivery. The small dent in the tank, from the turn signal switch, was driving me nuts. I wanted it fixed. The dealer said $1300 for a new tank! The dent-removal specialists said they could not do it. I have learned to live with it, especially when you cannot even see it when the tank bag is on. A few weeks ago, someone was selling a new R1150R tank on eBay. Went for $52 or so. Yeah, it was yellow, but you could have it painted real nice for way less than $1248. Also, the salvage dealers often have lightly damaged tanks (I think I saw one for $150) that you could have repaired/painted at your leisure, and still save over the dealer’s solution.

Dents provide character.

[gel9001]

Thanks Deano,
It looks like we have the same damage. I definately want to fix it, for better or worse I see these Roadsters as sculptures carved out of metal and it just drives me nuts to have this kind of damage. I think the Tank of an R is the prettiest component on the bike. Problem with buying a used tank is that many also have dents. I also have been told that if any of the coating from the inside should come off then you can get rust then that gets in your fuel system and things get worse from there. I'm low on funds these days so I'll have to live with it. I think I will likely just end up waiting and perhaps I could get a nice tank cheap, if not then I'll just bite the bullet and buy a new one and have it painted.
thanks again,
Gene

[Deano]

A fellow poster provided the following link:
http://www.beemerboneyard.com/

Send them an e-mail describing what your are looking for, and they will put you on a list in the event the part(s) become available. It's worth a shot.

Good luck.

[HILLBILLIEBIKER]

I made a post on the ebay tank tell you guy there was 3 hours to go and only a $9.99 bid. I emailed the seller about the tank and he claimed that the yellow was the primer.