Common problem?
 

Leaky fuel tanks?

The SV i'm about to have off my bro, has got 2 leaks.
One he's tried to patch up in the past, which now just results in petrol dribbling out, and the other is a pin-hole sized leak, and results in a steady stream of petrol coming out.

Now, to me, this is a new tank job, unless he can clean it up and get it welded, but the other problem being, he'd left it sat upside down in the shed. Not normall a problem, but it was a third full of petrol, which means it started to come out the filler cap, and has attacked the paintwork/ laquer, turning it green!

Re: Common problem?
 

Never ever heard of it!

Re: Common problem?
 

It's a curvery model.
Seen one on eBay now, exactly the same colour, with the same problem.

Read somewhere it's to do with the breather getting blocked, and water collecting in the tank?

Re: Common problem?
 

Theres certainly a history of water getting in to the tank! Suzuki quality as usual ;) Tanks can be cheap though, frequently check the for sale section here though, there's normally a curvey being sold for parts.

Re: Common problem?
 

Sadly this is more common on the SV than most bikes, nothing to do with the quality of manufacture as such, just that the drain holes get blocked and never get cleaned out. If the bike stands for a while the water in the tank will collect at the lowest points and rust the tank out. as an example see here: Click

Also this thread with some photos that may well show similar damage to that which you have found: Click

Re: Common problem?
 

It is not just the drain getting blocked, the design is tight as it exits the tank and it can get kinked - hence causing a block!

Re: Common problem?
 

Indeed, hence this:

In the first of my quoted posts.