Sludge!

[bmwloco]

Mojo, my 1966 R60/2 has been a stalwart over the years. When I was dirt poor and both of my parents were dying with cancer, she was my only transport.

For two years, I did a Athens, GA to Brevard, NC to Hendersonville, NC loop. My parents where divorced, and both croaking (20 years out, I can be flip about it).

The last time I tried to start the old girl, she only fired on one cylinder. Today I started trying to suss it out.

Yuck! Damn ethanol... sludge in the bottom of the tank. I pulled the petcock on the left side, blew it out good, and it finally cleared. The filter was found, with a LED Mag light, laying on it's side in the tank. One good coathanger fishing expedition got it out. It's eaten up.

Replacements ordered from Max BMW. Anyone have any recomendation on cleaning out old tank brown sludge?

I am thinking tyvek suit, gloves...

[elite-less]

Cleaned a few tanks with cheap vinegar… see thread for before and after:

http://advrider.com/forums/showthrea...=692925&page=3


.

[bmwloco]

Thanks... I'll check it out!

[trophymoto]

Dean, I have cleaned some carbs in straight pine sol. Works very well!

[camgregus]

need
petcocks
PM
me....

[datchew]

i've had good luck with mineral spirits when fresh gasoline wouldn't "thin" out the sludge.

If the tank's red lining is nice, be careful what you put in there or you may clean the red liner off as well as the sludge.

[Airhead Wrangler]

I like acetone as it doesn't leave anything behind when it dries out. It's easily available in jugs as well.

[bmwloco]

It is a Heinrich. From the 50's. Image later when I get out of work. I want to be very careful with it as the bike means a lot to me.

When my parents were both dying with cancer, it was my only transportation for 4 years. Athens, GA to Brevard NC to Hendersonville NC and back - up to 4 times a week. I was holding a job down too...

I will never sell this one. I bought it in 1988 when was living in Vermont. I came back to Athens, GA on business, and the old R60/2 I had been admiring for years was still there. I decided to buy it. $2000 in 1988.

[bmwloco]

Datchew...

No "red lining" in the old hand pounded tanks. This one still has "serif" BMW enamel emblems too. Dual solo seats.

Photo forthcoming...

[DoktorT]

Originally Posted by bmwloco

Datchew...

No "red lining" in the old hand pounded tanks. This one still has "serif" BMW enamel emblems too. Dual solo seats.

Photo forthcoming...

Hot water flush and rinse. Plug the petcock holes. Fill about half way and throw a few handfulls of hex nuts and washers, or #4 lead shot, what you got. Shake rattle and roll till your arms give out. Set it down and go have a beer. When recovered, shake rattle and roll again. Then drain and rinse and take a look with good light and see what you got.

Stick a hose from the exhaust of an idling car in the fill hole. Go have another beer. 20 minutes later, bone dry, warm and clean.

It's a two beer job.

[datchew]

Originally Posted by bmwloco

Datchew...

No "red lining" in the old hand pounded tanks. This one still has "serif" BMW enamel emblems too. Dual solo seats.

Photo forthcoming...

heinrich tank, dual solo seats, etc., I sure as hell hope photos are forthcoming. You may have a riot on your hands here otherwise.

is the sludge from sitting too long? you mentioned ethanol but i've never heard of that causing sludge. i guess that would be one more reason for me not to like the stuff.

[bmwloco]

In all her glory... Aside from my 1971 Dodge D100 pickup, Mojo has been one of the most consistent vehicles in my fleet.

[bmwloco]

Getting ready to pull the tank off and start clean up...

Here we go...I hope it's not too weird.

[bmwloco]

Tank off... it is held on well. Right and left bolts to tank, and one central. All told, about 20 minutes of slow, methodical care as I do not want to hurt this old jewel.

Serif badges... probably date to the mid-50's



The tank off, and full of White Vinegar. I have slung it around a bit. Probably will add a few nuts... I have a nice collection off of old VWs and such over the decades. Rubber "corks" from local Ace Hardware.



The Guardian... it has been on the bike for almost as long as I have owned it. I was riding through Pennsylvania. Stopped for lunch. Came out and he was just, well, there... looked around. No one to be found to thank. Mind you, this was a full decade before Bench Mark Works chose their Dino logo.



I will let it sit for 24 hours, drain... and go from there. No leaks

[bmwloco]

Originally Posted by datchew

heinrich tank, dual solo seats, etc., I sure as hell hope photos are forthcoming. You may have a riot on your hands here otherwise.

is the sludge from sitting too long? you mentioned ethanol but i've never heard of that causing sludge. i guess that would be one more reason for me not to like the stuff.

The sludge may well be from sitting. 12 trips to Antarctica. A few distance sorties now and then. Probably a combination of time and really poor gasoline.

At least the R100RS is a stalwart... and now to Das Beast. Rear wheel is locked up post new rubber. It's always something.