This is not advice. It is a story of what I did. 
If you want to do it too, that is your call. 
I have done this on a few bikes, boats, and cars.

In general, 
rust is a big problem, and it will cause other bigger problems 
unless you fix it fast.



Step one - Rinse

1) Start by sloshing the tank around a lot. 
Coat all the rusty spots. 
Drain the tank into a clear container. You Should use both the 
main, and the reserve, not just the reserve. Also use separate 
containers for each tube. Does it look like apple juice or Tang? 
If Tang, you may need new "socks" in the tank.



2) Pull off the valve. 
Curse as you turn the tank over and spill gas out the cap. 
Curse again as a big glop of gas and rust comes out of the 
opening when you thought it was empty. :)



3) Cover the opening with 
your finger, and fill with a cup of gas, and slosh it around good. 
Drain out the goop. Repeat until it comes out essentially clean. 
(If it never does, skip to Appendix A)



4) Clean the socks and inspect for tears or clogs. I used carb cleaner 
and a toothbrush. I suggest someone else's toothbrush... 
Clean out the lines, and both sides of the valve.



5) Reassemble the tank, and fill with clean gas. 
(If the old gas is clean, you can use it. Those socks are surprisingly 
good filters!)

<Pause for beer>
<Not a sip, go buy another 6 pack>



6) Now chase the fuel system. The next spot with chunks of rust will 
be the fuel pump. Pull the hose between the valve and pump, and clean it out. 
If it is crappy, replace. Get a lawnmower fuel filter (Sears has them) 
which is metal, and place it inline here. Remove the fuel pump, and pour 
the gas and chunks out of the inlet side. Inspect the outlet hose. 
If it is gungy inside continue with this hose, and the one between the carbs. 
However, it is generally only dirty to the fuel pump, and inside the carbs.



7) Reattach the fuel pump, and all lines, and see how she runs. 
Curse when you realize that the reason it won't start is that the fuel pump 
is plumbed backwards.


<If it works well, beer! We are done!>
<Still runs junky, 

Appendix A


Bad Rust!

If gas will not slosh it out, 
you have to take it out. There are many people that will do this with BBs.  
This can work on moderate cases, but you will never get all of the little 
suckers out of there.  Also, God only know what stuff they make BBs from now, 
and what the do in what passes for gas these days.  In my opnion, the best 
way to do it is acid. 
You will need;


One gallon of muriatic acid from a pool store. 
(You could use less, but it comes in gallon jugs)

A bunch of fresh water. Think running garden hose.

Baking soda. (Hopefully, you won't really need this...  
It is a base to conteract acid.  As in burns)

Liquid WD-40. Not a can, a bottle. http://www.wd40.com/products/one-gallon/ or a 
spray bottle...

Rubber Dishwashing gloves.

Measuring cup. (If glass, you can wash it and still use it for cooking)


And the tank should be off the bike, the gas cap and outlet flange removed.



Here is the deal. Gas and oil prevents rust. When 
the tank sits empty, the gas and oil eventually run off, and the tank rusts. 
Muriatic acid will remove the rust! And the gas and oil, so it will rust. 
Especially when you flush the system with water to cut the acid which would 
eventually eat through your tank! Which is what the WD-40 is for! 
(Did you know that WD stands for Water Displacement?) 
So, do this, but do it fast. No breaks until you finish! 
Serious here! Pee now, I will wait...



1)   Put on the gloves. Pour some acid in the cup. Remember, this burns metal, 
paint, and skin! Cover the outlet hole with a finger, (In the glove!) and 
pour it in the tank. Slosh it around for 30 seconds or so, and pour out 
the bottom. Repeat as needed until it is not coming out Tang, and the tank looks clean.



2)   Flush with water. Lots of water. Go seriously nuts here. 
Also remember that rust is metal oxidization. Metal under water has less oxygen, 
and so rusts slower than metal above water. The water isn't rusting it!



3)   Now move fast... Dry out the tank as best you can. Pour in a cup of WD-40 
and slosh like mad! Drain, and repeat until what come out is not separated. 
Now let it dry. You can pee again...

4) Do one last slosh with a cup of gas. 
(WD-40 doesn't burn as well as gas...)

Or you can coat it, then find out that 
next years federally mandates gas additive desolves your coating.



Appendix B

  Gunky carbs.

This is a carburetor rebuild.

It can be done at home with 
simple tools.

It can not be rushed.

It is also a damn good time to jet!


And I will try and make another FAQ for it.