Gas Tank problems.

[Julio A.]

My Gas tank started to "cry" fuel just behind the petcock, the paint started to bubble around that area. Petcock is new and is not the source of leak so I removed the tank and drained the fuel inside. As I was draining the fuel, the wire mesh screen and fuel filter was clogged with rust. The tank when you shake it, would sound like maracas. I inverted the tank and shook it vigorously to remove whatever was inside. Apart from the sand like fine rust that I usually encounter, there were large chunks of rust. In total, I filled a 5 inch diameter pot with rust.
It seemed the the tank was rotting from the inside. Cleaning it with acid will likely worsen the multitude of small leaks that are starting to form.
I asked a local mechanic and he suggested to cut open the tank, weld and respray it. But it seemed to drastic.

What do you think would be the best thing to do?

[nhmaf]

That may be the option to do, unless you can find a replacement tank - used ones come up for sale on ebay and in various places.  If it were only light rusting, you could acid wash the tank and coat the inside with one of several tank liner kits, one popular one being from a company called POR-15.  However, if you've got more than just a few tiny pinholes through the tank, this product may not be up to the task without enough backing metal.

[montmil]

Julio, I believe it may be time to "pull the plug" on your rusty tank. It would make a very cool planter with ivy growing out of the filler neck. Garage art, if you will.

With you being in the Philippines, sourcing a good used replacement may take some doing but would be far better than trying to save this particular fuel tank.

Monte

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Julio, I have to agree with Monte on this one, and I'm speaking from experience.  Too many pin holes in my first tank to repair.  JB Weld might work for a short time but in the end you're looking at a replacement.  My airhead mechanic, Boxer Bruce Davidson, tells me that one item of the annual service is to completely drain the tank.  

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

My airhead mechanic, Boxer Bruce Davidson, tells me that one item of the annual service is to completely drain the tank.  

That is one advantage of living in the North where it is too cold to ride year-round.
Rather than using a fuel stabilizer product, I empty my tank completely and leave it open for a couple of days to allow it to dry.  Then I lightly screw in the cap and replace the petcock and leave it that way until Spring.  
I still have my original red liner, in very good condition.

[Adamastor]

Por-15 has a tank repair product. I tried it and I think it might help you out...