Boom Vader Motorcycle Gas Tank Rust? No Sweat.

Now I pointed out in an earlier post ( Boom Vader / Grom Clone Assembly Problems & Concerns )that there were some issues I noticed after assembling my Boom Vader. A Grom Clone motorcycle and I saw rust spots in the gas tank of my motorcycle and sweated it for about 2 minutes.

Rust in a motorcycle tank is a concern when the gas tank is left empty. Without gasoline in the tank, bare and untreated metal is exposed to oxygen and moisture.  

I’m sure being a Chinese Grom Clone, a Chonda, my Boom Vader was exposed to moisture sitting on that slow boat from China.  

Why Is Motorcycle Gas Tank Rust Bad?

The first thing that comes to mind with rust is decay. A rusty motorcycle gas tank is a decaying gas tank. Rust can penetrate the metal and compromise the structure and integrity of the fuel tank.

Was this the case with my new Boom Vader? Should I be expecting fuel leaks right out of the box?  

I don’t think so; the photos I took of the inside of the gas tank don’t appear more severe than surface rust. If I could reach inside the tank, I’m sure I could wipe off most of the rust with a rag.

This flaky rust is the genuine concern; how stable is that rust?

I believe after several gas fill-ups, and after a season of riding, most of that rust will be gone, washed away by good gas being sloshed around with the movement of the motorcycle.

So Where Will That Tank Rust Go?

Washes into the gasoline. Particles of rust will wash off and make their way down the fuel lines toward the carburetor. The carburetor has tiny jets that control fuel flow, and particles of rust getting into those jets will mess up how the motorcycle runs.

I’m just doing a quick post as a follow-up of my assembly concerns for my new Boom Vader. I am not concerned about the rust, and the fuel tank rust was minimal, and I found the saving grace—a fuel filter.

What Happens The Gas Tank Rust Over Time?

This process will be a grand experiment. As long as the fuel filter doesn’t protect the Boom Vader, I will not worry about the rust and track its changes.

A later post should show how the rust has changed to a different color, indicating the loose flakey rust has transformed into a less soluble, more protective layer of oxide due to the absence of oxygen and moisture—accomplished by keeping the Boom Vader’s gas tank full.

Using corrosion to protect the metal from rusting is typically seen in low oxygen water/steam systems and when you blue metal. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluing_(steel) 

Hoping the transformation of loose flaky rust to magnetite occurs and will track this like an experiment. I feel this is a justification for keeping motorcycle fuel tanks full for short-term storage is a good idea. ( My Easy TBR7 Motorcycle Winterize Checklist. ).

In the distant future, be ready to see if I crapped out my Grom Clone, or the Boom Vader is running strong, and I was right about not sweating a tiny gas tank rust.

Ride Safe, Ride Fun!

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