85 VF500F Gas Tank Compatibility

Just joined this forum. I have an 85 VF500F and my tank has rusted through in the bottom right side. I know that I can use either an 84 or 85 tank, but does anyone know if an 86 will work as well? I been told by different people that 1) an 86 will drop right on without any problems and 2) that an 86 requires modification to use (wasn't told what modifications).

Any help on this would be mcuh appreciated.

The other gurus on this site may know much better than I do, but I think an 86 would work. I think the frame is basically the same size for all 3 years they made the 500. I've got an 86 VF500 with 2 tanks, I think one of them is from an 85, the second one I don't know what year it is. They're the same overall size and they both use the same mounting points. The only difference is that one of them has an overflow vent on the bottom, towards the front. One option for you is to find a radiator shop. One of my tanks had pin-holes in it from rust. The rad shop used a coating on the outside of the tank (he called it black-coat) which sealed it up good. It cost me $40. The black-coat is what they use to repair plastic RV gas tanks with, so its made for gas and harsh chemicals. The only problem with it is that it is rough after it dries. Luckily my rust holes were on the underneath side, where it doesn't show, so it doesn't matter if its a rough coating or not. I had it repaired last Sept and it hasn't leaked yet.

Thanks for the response. You're the second person who thinks that an 86 will work, which will help if I can't find an 84 or 85. I have three people who've contacted me and have tanks for sale. Just waiting on photos and a price.

My tank is too far gone to fix. The hole has grown to about 4 inches long by 1 inch high, basically the lower right side is gone.

If you're willing to do a paint & liner job, I have a "good" (no dents/rash) tank you can have cheap. It's an 84-85 tank. Has rust inside, and could use a paint job.

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[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 09 June 2010 - 10:20 PM, said:

If you're willing to do a paint & liner job, I have a "good" (no dents/rash) tank you can have cheap. It's an 84-85 tank. Has rust inside, and could use a paint job.

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How bad is the rust inside? Light rust that comes off when you rub your finger on it or heavy rust that a sand blaster wouldn't work on? Could you take some photos?

Thanks

FYI, to anyone looking at a tank for an 86. The petcock IS different. So you cannot use an 84/85 petcock in an 86 tank. You have to use the 86 or do some heavy modification to the 84/85's.