[Orion61]

I inherited my Brothers '88 600 VLX
and noticed when I got it home there are rust bubbles (looks like) under the paint. These are about the size of a BB Gun BB, or pellet. The bike set for about 10 years, He gor it running a couple years ago,.but it is not currently (carbs). I have a tank lining Kreem Kit, can it be salvaged?
Or is this tank shot? I didn't scratch the bubbles open but they look like rust when it comes up under Bondo rust repair.
The bike is otherwise very clean and straight. 8000 miles on it.
Motor turns over fine and has " Virtually NEW Motor Compression. He was meticulous for the first 20 years he had it, then he got sick, I didn't think to aks him if he had prepped the bike for setting.. He also left me his 2008 Suzuki Boulevard C50T, with under 5K on it when cold the motor knocks a bit for about 30 seconds then quiets.. (junk)
is the little VLX worth repairing? any leads for a rpl tank? I love the bike and used to ride with him on it all the time when I had my 1100 Shadow.
advise?

 

[Coop]

Yes it's worth repairing they are great bikes!

Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App

 

[Scared]

I voted fix it. If it were my brothers bike and he left it to me, I would want to carry on his legacy and keep it on the road. It may not make a good investment, but it wouldn't matter to me. The feeling I would get from fixing it up and riding it would be worth it.

 

[Mark-B]

Yup, I concur.. Bikes are funny things.. To really appreciate them, it seems that you have to put a little blood, sweat and tears into them.. I have a feeling if you take a little time to work on that baby, you are going to love that bike..

 

[Orion61]

Yup, I concur.. Bikes are funny things.. To really appreciate them, it seems that you have to put a little blood, sweat and tears into them.. I have a feeling if you take a little time to work on that baby, you are going to love that bike..

Thanks for the input...
I know for a fact the Motors are just about bullet proof, better than the new Suzuki's for sure!
What about the tank tho, with rust bubbles popping up??? anybody ever seen that before???
********************************************************
Mark I love the Guitars, I play too, is that an old Charvel?
I love my Strat and Telecaster. Also have a Hutchins Memphis that sounds great on the 50's Rock and Roll , Stray Cats, and Early Beatles..
Best cheap guitar you will ever buy is an Oscar Schmidt Delta King like a Gibson 335! If you are like me I set my own action up...

 

[Mark-B]

Could be the tank has had some work done to it in the past? If so, you may need to strip that puppy down and see what you are up against..

I seem to remember something similar in a thread a while back where there was damage done to the tank that was patched over by the previous owner/s .. Might be that, or might be not.. Either way.. If it is rust bubbling through the paint, it's quite possible that your gas will follow soon enough, so it's gonna take a little work to get it fixed..

If it were me, I would at least try to fix it.. These bikes really are worth the effort.

 

[Dauntae]

Could be the tank has had some work done to it in the past? If so, you may need to strip that puppy down and see what you are up against..

I seem to remember something similar in a thread a while back where there was damage done to the tank that was patched over by the previous owner/s .. Might be that, or might be not.. Either way.. If it is rust bubbling through the paint, it's quite possible that your gas will follow soon enough, so it's gonna take a little work to get it fixed..

If it were me, I would at least try to fix it.. These bikes really are worth the effort.

I voted to fix too, As for gas leaking out, I beleave these tanks are double walled, So knocking dents out from the inside is not happening but to fix the rust bubbles it should be fine, Just make sure it isnt rotting on the inside or you will have issues.

Dauntae

 

[Mark-B]

^^^ ...Didn't know for sure if it was a double wall or not.. They probably all are anymore... But, If it's just the shell, it's a pretty easy fix, and I'd just look on it as a bodywork project.. One foot in front of the other and pretty soon there's gonna be one-cool scoot in the garage

Any damage to the inside of that tank though, and I might probably start looking around for a new/used tank to work with.

Either way, for what you end up with after the fix, you can't buy something like that for the money you will put into it, to fix it.

Yup, Definitely, for me, it's "fix it" ..

Anyway.. Best of Luck Orion, and Have Fun

 

[Orion61]

^^^ ...Didn't know for sure if it was a double wall or not.. They probably all are anymore... But, If it's just the shell, it's a pretty easy fix, and I'd just look on it as a bodywork project.. One foot in front of the other and pretty soon there's gonna be one-cool scoot in the garage

Any damage to the inside of that tank though, and I might probably start looking around for a new/used tank to work with.

Either way, for what you end up with after the fix, you can't buy something like that for the money you will put into it, to fix it.

Yup, Definitely, for me, it's "fix it" ..

Anyway.. Best of Luck Orion, and Have Fun

I know there wasn't any damage fixed on the tank, He bought it new and even tho there are a couple dings in the tank, it is factory.
I could dimple in each rust bubble and put a quarter size Fiberglass patch, Kreem Coat the inside of the tank.. I saw where you can get the 2 step
Blue Candy Wave color in a rattle Bomb, I'm pretty good with painting with a spray can so that doesn't bother me. Plus I'd just as soon leave the tank decals off of it. He also left me a near new Mint 2008 Suzuki Boulevard C50T, 5k miles on it, but I remember him complaining to me after about 3k when starting it cold there is a little engine noise.....
It isn't a clack like lifters, it sounds like a bit of mid engine piston slap,
it isn't bad and it goes away after a minute or so but still 5000 miles???
He took it to the dealer and they said it was normal for them!?!
YOU KIDDING ME????? That little shadow is as smooth as a sew Machine
We both know Honda's Legendary Engine quality reputation.
I really can afford to keep only one because I still have my 1975 Yamaha
XS-650 Parallel Twin I won't sell... You might think I am crazy but I'd rather keep the Bike I KNOW will be running at 50 or 60,000 miles!
Not the Boulevard Piece of **** that is already rattling :roll: .
Yes, you have convinced me to keep the Shadow.. I really do love that
little Bike, and I remember how Proud Vern was when he got it!
DOES ANYBODY KNOW OF A QUALIFIED PERSON THAT WOULD CLEAN MY CARBS? SOMEBODY TRUSTWORTHY?

 

[Wombatair]

Take the rust off, clean the small spots up and lite tough up with nail polish.
Unless you want to do a tank spray.

 

[Orion61]

Take the rust off, clean the small spots up and lite tough up with nail polish.
Unless you want to do a tank spray.

There are several dings in the tank, 2 flasher dings and a large marble sized ding, can you use Auto Bondo on a Bike tank?
I found rattle Bomb paint (2 step) for about $70.00/ @ $35.00 each
I am pretty good at painting with a can, It isn't that tough, the biggest issue people have is not putting a thin coat down for a tack coat, then over spraying causing sags and runs.
A lot depends on the paint quality too. but Prep is important, any finger prints or oil cause Fish eye, and People tend to rush things. It has to be clean and use a tack cloth to remove dust and specs.. If nothing else, 600, 1000, and 2000 wet sanding and buffing, finishes things nicely...
thans for the info guys.. My Brother did leave it sit in an open face garage so it was Kind of left outside but out of direct Sun and Rain/Snow..

 

[Eagle7840]

Sounds like moisture bubbles under the paint caused by improper prepping and primer application at the factory. I have a couple of those bubbles on the front frame on my 1100 Shadow. Sell the Suzuki and use some of that money to have the tank professionally stripped, primed and repainted.

 

[Orion61]

I have thought about selling the Boulevard, The VLX needs some carb work too from sitting. My Brother and another guy tried to clean the carbs but it is still missing,
They used Spray can stuff and air, What kind of carb cleaner is the best? I am thinking I am going to need to soak it for some time.
Years ago I bough a gallon of it when I repaired another Bike.. I cant remember the name tho..