Short time line.
Tried PORing my tank.
Didnt work and pooled up.
Tried to get it all out but was unsuccessful.
Took it to a welder 7-25-05 to cut it open and take the last of the loose POR out.
7-26-05 Picked up gas tank with removed POR
7-26-05 (mind you same day) Drop off at radiator shop to get Red Koteed
Fastforward.
Today I called the radiator shop in the afternoon to see if my tank was finally done. They said it was so I stopped by on the way home to get it. I noticed when he brought it out that it was almost double the width and the "tail" of the tank was bent up.
The manager comes out along with the guy that does the Red Koting (I am guessing here he was the one getting defensive) and I told them that the tank was not right and that it was not the condition when I brought it in.
The other guy (not the manager) basically accused me of bringing the tank in that way and that something like that didnt happen there. He said there was pressure applied to the tank and it didnt happen at the radiator shop.
I asked him why I would be willing to pay 85 bucks for a cleaning and red kote if the tank was ruined. He then preceded to say that it must have been the welder that messed the tank up. I asked him once again why would I bring a tank in that was messed up. So he ended up suggesting to apply a vaccume to the tank to bring the sides down. So he took the tank and stormed out.
At this point I am shaking so badly because I am so upset. Especially at the fact that I am bringing back this bike on a shoe string budget. And I was really upset at the fact that I was blamed for the damaged tank when I brought it in in perfect shape. The manager said that if the vaccume didnt work I could take and not pay the 85 bucks. I told him that he would be replacing the tank and he refused. I told him that I was not going to purchase anohter tank when the one that I brought in was in perfect shape.
I then preceded to ask for the owners name and number ( chain of radiator shops that have been around for over 50 years). He then back pedalded a litle bit and asked that I give them a little bit of time to vaccume the back back to shape.
I will give them till lunch tomorrow (wednesday) to get my tank done. I have a feeling that it will not be perfect like it was when I took it in that somebody is going to purchase me a tank and its not going to be me.
What can I do on my end to make sure that I get a new tank and at not my cost because of the tank that I took in was in perfect shape other than the light coating of rust on the inside that was caused by the POR.
I am going to give them time so they cannot blame me for rushing them to get it done.
Also to explain the damage more here is a more detailed explination.
The sides of the tank are bent out instead of being a U shape its more of a flat V.
Also the tail bit that gets held down under the seat is bent up and forward.
I think what happened is they sealed the tank tightly when the MEK or any other chemicals were in there and it slowly expanded and bent the tank out.
Please help with suggestions. I ned to get my bike on the rioad an this is just another set back.
I can't help you with the legal aspect of this, but maybe H2Olawer can.. we also have a few law enforcement officers here..
If i had a spare tank i'd Give it to you & tell you to make out an invoice for $200! these guys suck! what they should have done right off is called you & let you know there was a problem...
I know it's not the solution your looking for, but it's only a few bucks to file a small claims suit...
--Lucky
Cracker-Sorry this happened to you. I am also on a tight budget and hate getting screwed big time. (Pardon the language) I am also a little off the wall sometime and frankly, I would tell them to take the tank home and hang it on the wall walk out and find a used tank somewhere. Good luck.
Well if need be I will take it to small claims.
I have pictures of when my wife and I were stripping the tank and its straight.
I can also get an signed affidavit from my friend that I bought the bike from saying that the tank was in good shape.
I am also sure that I can get two one from the welder and his son both of which saw the tank right before I took it to the radiator shop. I might even be abl eto get a power coater that I spoke with who looked at the tank to sign one also.
I am going to take a camera with me tomorrow to the rad shop and take pics of the tank to show a before and after.
Hopefully all goes well.
Ok, crackerkorean, how about this...you really need an 82 tank, smknjoe really need an 83 petcock, & i could use some cash. ?i should be able to assemble one complete petcock (with a fabbed up return tube & a new diaphragm).
Smokinjoe sends the tank to you, i send him a petcock, & you sends me some $$?? ($70)
i'm going to cc this to his post.. (http://ridersofvision.net/forum/index.php?topic=3218.new#new)
--Lucky
Wish I could be of more help on your legal rights. Unfortunately, I'd be practicing law without a license in Georgia. I'm licensed only for Colorado. :P Therefore, the following are merely suggestions & ideas from a fellow forum member & do not constitute legal advice. (Obligatory Disclaimer ;D)
It sounds like you have a good plan. Asking to call the owner was a good move. With photos & affidavits, you should have a strong case if it even gets to small claims court. The shop's expense of defending even a minor complaint like this would heavily outweigh the cost of making it right to you.
If you are not satisfied with their attempts to make the tank correct & they don't offer to pay for a replacement tank, ask for the owner's phone number again. Also, if they are members of the Better Business Bureau, contact that organization if you can't get just compensation for the damage. Just a threat (from the BBB itself) to revoke their membership might get them to move more quickly.
I know you're upset, but you might give them an extra day or two to get things done for you - then start bringing out the artillery - small shots at first - calling the owner. Then move to the BBB. It may have little effect, but you could also write to the newspapers, radio & TV stations - either letters to the editor or if they have consumer advocates, you might get some help there. Small claims should be the last resort. However, getting signed affidavits & presenting copies to the radiator shop should show them you are serious if the previous steps haven't produced any action.
I seriously doubt you could get a local attorney interested in assisting without paying them on their hourly scale. However, an initial consultation is often done at no charge & they may have some other ideas. If you end up in small claims court, the office of the court clerk (or some similar title) will be very helpful to you as a pro-se litigant (self represented plaintiff).
Keep us informed & if necessary, I can do a little more research into it for you - but only as an interested forum member! I do all transactional work & my job is to keep my clients out of court. My only experience in that area is obtaining a couple restraining orders & a couple probate actions.
Good Luck & I hope it all works out quickly for you.
H2O
Well for now I am going to call them and tell them to stop all work on the tank right now so that I can obtain pics. If not I would like to stop by there either way and get pictures of the after.
I am also going to stop by the welders and talk to them about the whole situation. I will call the owner first and go from there.
I will give them the benefit of the doubt so that they cannot use me rushing them as an excuse.
I just got off of the phone with the radiator shop and they said they tried but that we need to sit down and work something out.
What do I need to bring with me to make this the most beneficial for me to make sure that I come out with what I need to make this right.
And if they offer a monetary sum to fix their goof up what should I ask for to be a reasonable amount.
The orginal tank was in perfect shape other than some surface rust on the inside. All the sheet metal was in great shape and not rusted through any where.
Quote from: crackerkorean on August 17, 2005, 08:09:04 AM
What do I need to bring with me to make this the most beneficial for me to make sure that I come out with what I need to make this right.
And if they offer a monetary sum to fix their goof up what should I ask for to be a reasonable amount.
Go to Yamaha, price a tank.. weather you can get one or not, & bring that with you, then tell them you'll settle for..$200. that's the price you found one for
I just priced one from Yamaha extreme sports. Of course it said "backordered" but, the list price was $621.24 part number 11 H-24110-00-6M.
Mutt
I just called the local yamaha shop and its 675.99
Glad they're starting to work with you. That's a good start. Lucky's suggestion is a good one. Finding a tank that doesn't have some rust through is difficult. You'll have costs associated with getting a used tank into the condition yours sounds like it was in. Take in the price quote you got & the phone # of the Yamaha dealer. The price of the new one (even though they are now made of unobtanium) should have them willing to settle fairly quickly.
H2O
I have two price quotes. One from an independant motorcycle shop that can purchase OEM parts. The price from Extreme Sports and I know how much they cost at my local yamaha dealer and I will take the phone number with me and they can call and they can even use my cell if they do not belive me.
I would like to get 1/2 retail or about 300 for a good replacement and to get it to where I had it.
I will post this afternoon on how it turns out.
I spoke with the manager this afternoon and he apologized for the way that he and his staff acted yesterday.
The guy that accused me of lying even came into the office and apologized.
I gave them the two pieces of paper that I had one with a quote of 621 and the other of 675. I agreed to half of the average of the two. Thats 324. I imagine that I can get either a reasonable replacement and get it to the condition mine was in or one that is in great shape.
The shop manager still has to talk to the owner of the company so I will know something tomorrow morning.
So anybody have a tank that is in really good shape they want to sell? Maybe even one that has been PORed?
Glad they're being cooperative. Looks like you won't have to resort to stronger measures. $324 should get you either a very nice tank or get a lower condition one up to good shape. Heck, even if they come back with a counter of $300, that should be OK. I think I saw a red tank on eBay - a couple dents in the front corners but otherwise looked pretty good.
H2O
DaveTN told me about it to. I am watching it and asked the seller rust.
I would really like to get one that is already PORed if at all possible so that I dont have ot mess with it and can start riding a little sooner.
any body want to sell their tank <wink wink> <nudge nudge>
I have a 83 tank in great shape already pored ! and I have two 82 tanks both need some dent work and both need pored .I would like to have 150.00 for the 83 and 50.00 for either of the other 82 tanks. One of the 82 tanks is already stripped to bare metal and just needs some dent work and pored ! Let me know if your interested and Ill send you some pictures if you like .
Would an 83 tank work on an 82 bike? I know the petcock opening is different. I might be able to get a local metal fabricator to make an adapter.
an 83 tank will work on an 82 bike (really, it's with the 82 carbs, year of the bike doesn't matter.
--if the 83 tank has a petcock, just block off the return fitting on the petcock
--if the 83 tank doesn't have a petcock, use an 82 petcock
& have a shop fab up an atapter plate.
the adapter plate should be simple for them to make as long as they have the tank & petcock. it's simply an oval plate, with an oval hole & 3 holes.
one end hole & the middle hole are threaded. the hole at the other is not threaded.
the end with the threaded hole is bolted to the tank. the center hole & open hole line up with the petcock & other tank hole.
use a longer bolt to pass thru the petcock & adapter into the tank at one end, & the regular bolt on the other side of the petcock to the adapter plate.
use the 82 petcocks o-ring to seal one side of the plate, & a gaskett with an oval hole between the plate & tank.
hope that makes sense...
--Lucky
Quote from: Lucky on August 17, 2005, 10:00:44 PM
an 83 tank will work on an 82 bike (really, it's with the 82 carbs, year of the bike doesn't matter.
--if the 83 tank has a petcock, just block off the return fitting on the petcock
--if the 83 tank doesn't have a petcock, use an 82 petcock
& have a shop fab up an atapter plate.
the adapter plate should be simple for them to make as long as they have the tank & petcock. it's simply an oval plate, with an oval hole & 3 holes.
one end hole & the middle hole are threaded. the hole at the other is not threaded.
the end with the threaded hole is bolted to the tank. the center hole & open hole line up with the petcock & other tank hole.
use a longer bolt to pass thru the petcock & adapter into the tank at one end, & the regular bolt on the other side of the petcock to the adapter plate.
use the 82 petcocks o-ring to seal one side of the plate, & a gaskett with an oval hole between the plate & tank.
hope that makes sense...
--Lucky
A picture would help. ;D
cracker,
I am using an 83 tank on my bike. Mine was originally very dented (lost about 1 gal capacity) but I did not find out until I stripped off the paint to have it repainted. I paid a guy that has a repair shop (and builds custom bikes) $150.00 to grind off the bondo, pop/pull the dents and prime the tank. I stripped and pored the inside. Once i was done, it looked brand new.
The only differences between the 82 and 83 is the petcocks and the fuel sender on the 83 (which does not have any effect on the 82). I had some difficulty finding a petcock for the 83, but I got lucky and found a band new NOS on ebay. Total for the whole job including the petcock and POR was close to $300.00. Like lucky said, if you can get an 82 petcock in good condition, you can have a shop make mounting ring to fit the 82 petcock to the 83 tank.
So, if you can get the money from the shop, go with the one on ebay or one of smokin joes and LETS RIDE!
Good Luck
David
I got a rebuilt 82 petcock ready to use.
I am watching that one on ebay. Smokinjoe has a couple 82s. I might try to get pics of those to see what all is entailed.
(http://www.xz550.com/adapter.JPG)
hole 1 lines up with one end of the 83 tank mounting hole
holes 2 & 3 match the 82 petcock
hole 3 lines up with the other 83 tank mounting hole & is not threaded
82 petcock mounts to holes 2 & 3, using a longer bolt to pass thru hole 3 into the tank
--Lucky
Ok so let me get this right.
1 is unthreaded and mounts on the tank by it self.
2 is threaded and the 82 petcock mounts to this hole
3 is unthreaded and the petcocks mounts to this hole screw goes through the petcock and mounts in the tank.
yes, i forgot to mention that 1 is unthreaded, & for simplicity, you could even leave 2 unthreaded also & just use a nut behind the plate... thus making ht e adapter plate a little thinner & not having to pay to have the holes tapped...
just the plat, 1 longer bolt & a nut. (plus the 2 stock screws, but you might want to substitute hex head bolts)
I talked to the radiator shop and they said thye might have found a tank. I will givm them till monday. Pretty much everything else is going to be done on the bike execpt the tank so I need something by next week. We will see.
Here are some pics of the tank. This is after they tried to fix it. It was probably 40% wider that it is now.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v609/crackerkorean/IMG_2911.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v609/crackerkorean/IMG_2912.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v609/crackerkorean/IMG_2918.jpg)
Without being rude, i can't tell you what my wife (not knowing the topic of this post) thought that was as the pics were loading. suffice it to say her reaction was words to the effect: "OMG! that's the biggest..." (well you can figure out the rest, & she didn't think it was a pic of a bike part...)
I know this is frustrating to you, but hearing that, from her, still has me rolling!!
--Lucky
That first picture is halarious! It looks like a big roasting hen thats been gutted! Is that blood around the petcock hole? You didn't loose your temper did you?
You've got sooooooooo much time invested in this thing now, you can't not git-r-done!
Mutt
Pig butt comes to mind too.
Mike, are you riding a hog or a Vision? ;)
David
I need to go into business repairing and sealing tanks.Kevin C.
Quote from: DaveTN on August 18, 2005, 11:36:50 PM
Pig butt comes to mind too.
Mike, are you riding a hog or a Vision? ;)
David
On the weekends I ride a Ninja :o
Ok wait that didnt sound right ;D
Oh, the humanity!!!
Man, I feel sorry for you, Crackercorean.
Lou
Well last week they found me a tank and had it shipped to them. They told me it would be in yesterday. I called this morning and still not tank.
Carey (the radiator shop manager) called the place that had the tank and found out that it will at their location tomorrow. It was shipping from Canon Georgia and the radiator shop is in Lawrenceville Georgia. That is a distance of about 60 miles.
IT HAS TAKEN THEM A WEEK TO GET A TANK 60 FRIGGIN MILES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Obviously somebody dropped the ball on the shipping end.
What should I do.
The tank might be ready saturday afternoon to pick up depending on the condition of the tank. But I need to inspect the tank before they do anything to it. That will be Friday afternoon.
I cannot get a check cut to me till monday or tuesday if I decided to go that route.
So here I am one month later (50 bucks short becuase of the welder and gobs of time) and still no tank.
So what should I do????? I would love to have the replacement tank and it coated for free and my 50 bucks but is that to much?
WHAT SHOULD I DO??????
If I was you, I would say the heck with their tank, get the check, and throw it at this beauty!
Even if you had to throw in a bit of cash(like the $85 you were going to give the shop for fixing your old tank)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Yamaha-FUEL-TANK-New-in-Box-XZ550-Vision-1983-NOS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35586QQitemZ4570367312QQrdZ1
I will give them the benefit of the somebody else dropping the ball.
I will be looking at it this afternoon hopefully. If its not there or its not to my satsfaction I will be bidding on that tank (sorry dave)
My biggest thing I would hate to do would be to strip the paint and change it the way I want it to be. I would just hate to do that to a NOS tank.
Looks like I will be bidding on a NOS 83 tank. The tank came in and it has a dent in the side of it.
Yet another weekend without the bike.
Cracker,? That tank looks great (the one on e-bay) my guess is it will go for $180-200 (at least) and then the $25 shipping, and I noticed that you have an 82 tank.? So that would mean going with a 83 petcock (If you do not have one, Virago XV500 petcock will work, and are available for $90), or fabricating a mounting plate for an 82 petcock (have heard about this plate, but have not seen one yet) and then sealing that plate so it does not leak, and also the 83 tank has a big hole in the inside part (where it sits on the airbox) for a fuel sending unit, & I doubt this comes with the tank.? Sounds like a HUGE amount of work, unless you are planning on going with 83 carbs/ airbox.?
It might be easier to fix a 82 tank....
but that is just my .02 cents!
OK, I might as well throw this in...
I just got a parts bike. The tank looks great on the outside, but from the cap opening, it looks like someone previously did something to it (like a POR lookalike, or whatever).
I have to check if it leaks. If it does not, I bet someone with a Forum name starting with Cracker and ending with corean might be interested (unless you win the tank on Ebay, my guess is that it will sell for more than what Superfly says!)
In any case, I don't want to raise false hopes, the tank will become available if it is in half-descent shape. If it drips all over, I won't offer it, since that would just be rude!
I'll try to test it tomorrow...
Louis
Let me know what you find.
right now I am going to let dave have the NOS tank. I couldnt bring my self to ruin a perfectly good gas tank. So I will purchase his old tank if he gets this new one.
Keep me informed though who knows what will happen.
wow...sorry to hear about your headache,,, but something did come to mind,,,i too had a horrid tank and found a replacement,,,had to do a little work on it and get a liner but it has been great for a few years,,,but some thoughts came to mind,,,,dont know how good they are but they may be to your liking,,,the Canadian dollar is still lower, and when i priced a new tank up here from Yamaha they had a few in Canada and list price was 300 cdn but they only had red,,,not a big deal to get a tank painted, there is also a place in Toronto On, that i honestly think has a time machine, cause they always seem to get visions and restore and sell them,,,that is where i got the tank i have now,,only cost like 50 bucks i think,,,it was really cheap i do remember that,,,,that place is called ontario cycle salvage, they deal in used bikes and are very reputable, that may be worth a shot too,,
I did hear about this Salvage yard, and good things. I bet they could help indeed.
In related news, the tank on my most recent parts bike is air tight. So I suppose it would be gasoline tight too. THe outside is in pristine shape (repainted not too long ago I assume) and the inside was relined by, from the looks of it, a not really talented home mechanic.
I think it could go on a bike and do ok, I'd reccomend relining it to anyone who would want it to last a while.
If you don't need it Crackercorean, I think I'll Ebay it.
Lou
As of right now I will not commit to anything because I do not have check in hand. And if DaveTN doenst get the new 83 OEM tank I might take you up on that Lou. But we shall see.
I now have a check for 334 sitting in my wallet needing to be deposited. Now its just a waiting game for a couple of tanks that I am watching.
Hopefully this well all end nicely.