Question on cleaning out gas tank

I am getting my 1986 VFR750F back on the road and it has sat in storage for a few years. Looking in the gas tank I note some gunk and a little rust. The local guy I am having help me with this suggested filling the tank full with vinegar and let it sit five days. Then flush it out.

I was told I wouldn't need to seal it, just keep it full of fuel to prevent rust while it waits to be fixed. Also, should I take the fuel reserve sensor out when I do this?

Does that sound like a good plan to you guys? I was on the fence about sealing it with redkote or something, and would really prefer not to as I am afraid I would do more harm than good if I didn't do it right.

I have tried to attach a couple photos of what the inside looks like.

 

If it was my bike, I'd remove the rust and seal it. I cleaned a tank this year using 5' of dog chain and a gallon of prep & etch. Took me a few days to remove it by rotating and shaking it a few times a day. came out very good, and yes, remove the sensor. My 0.01 cent.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klean-Strip-1-gal-Phosphoric-Prep-and-Etch-GKPA30220/100406369

 

I use por-15 motorcycle tank kit. $40. It cleans, derusts, and seals it. Works perfect. Only way to clean and seal a tank IMO.

 

I have my bike apart for some winter repairs. The design of these tanks makes it very hard to completely drain all liquids out. With no petcock hole in the bottom of the tank I do not see any way to completely flush my tank. The sender hole is to high to work well, you always have some that runs back and stays in the tank. The fill holes does not work either. Any ideas?

 

No suggestions for you on ^^^ that post, but regarding the initial post: For the $40-$50 you'd spend to clean and coat the tank, why not? That seems like a sound investment to me in order to avoid problems down the road. I'd do it.

 

I rebuilt a 1983 CB1100F with my son...the bike sat for 15 years and the tank had rust. I used this product:

http://www.metalrescue.com/home.aspx

I have to say that it works GREAT! The product is outstanding. It has been over a year and the rust has not returned. It's also water based which is good. You can but it at a Home Depot, about $25 a gallon.

 

When I worked on my friends 85 we were able to get most of the fuel out. For the remaining bit I was able to use the fast evaporation rate of the fuel, just shake the tank so the fuel spreads across the inside surface and blow air into the tank. Shake repeat shake repeat. Didn't take long and it was empty and dry. As far as rust goes I used a crap ton of bbs. Shake the hell out of the tank and dump out the rust and bbs (may have to use a magnet to get all the bbs out. Blow with compresses air and be amazed at the red nightmare that comes out. This is just what I did and not endorsed by anyone with common sense lol

 

I forgot to mention I did the same on my 86 with equally awesome results.

 

If you shake the leftover sediment in to a corner say one lower corner, take a piece of 1/2" ID (or any tubing that will fit through the filler nozzle opening) clear tubing and tape it the tend of a shop vac hose. Stick the end of the tube in the tank and suck out the crud. Don't think I would try it with fuel, but you could use this method to suck out any non combustible liquid.