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removing the fuel tank



what you'll need:
Time needed: About a half-hour; less if you're not a big slob like me, and don't spill gas all over yourself.
  • 8mm socket
  • 10mm socket
  • an extension to use with the above sockets, unless you've got really long ones
  • 12mm socket
  • another 12mm socket or any other kind of 12mm wrench
  • hose clamp pliers (or needlenose pliers)
  • a friend, neighbor, or other bribeable person

Note: I really don't need to tell you people that fuel tanks contain gasoline, which is flammable, right? Make sure you've got a fire extinguisher handy just in case. Also, y'know, don't smoke anywhere near your garage.

background.
You'll need to remove the fuel tank whenever you want to play with the airbox or carburetors. Therefore, it's good to know how to do it. It's pretty straightforward.

pre-procedure.
Remove the motorcycle seat. The excitement never ends!

removal.
Use the 8mm socket and extension to unbolt the two tank mounting bolts that are up near the triple clamp. Now, check out the rear mounting bolt, which actually slides through two holes in the tank and the bike frame, perpendicular to the bike itself. Hold the head of the bolt with a 12mm wrench or socket; remove the nut on the bolt with another 12mm socket (again, you might find an extension handy here). Once the nut's off, tap the end of the bolt gently, and it should pop right out.

Now go find a friend. We'll wait. OK? Have your friend or loved one tilt the tank back and hold it there, while you go get a 10mm socket, extension, hose clamp pliers (or needlenosed pliers), and some shop rags. Look under the tank towards the rear -- you'll see the fuel pump with a nice little yin-yang looking piece on it that says "on/off". Stick your 10mm socket on the boltish looking thing that's sticking out (helpfully, it's not octagonal, but the 10mm socket will still fit) and turn. It's really impossible to tell just from looking at the yin-yang when the fuel is on versus off, but assuming it was on to begin with, just keep turning until it's turned 180 degrees and won't turn any more. Safe to say it's off now. Why they couldn't have just put an arrow on there or something is anyone's guess.

Bribe your friend with a beer to keep holding the tank up. On the sides of the fuel pump that you just mucked with, you'll see two large grey fuel lines (one on each side). Pull 'em out, being careful of any gas that had been in the hoses (hence the shop rags mentioned earlier).

Once that's under control, look at the underside of the tank, and you'll see two drainer hoses leading directly up into the tank. Pull each of them out. They have different diameters, so you probably won't mistake them when it comes time to replace the tank.

OK, almost done. On the backside of the fuel pump is a small diameter hose. This is the vacuum line to the rear cylinder. It needs to come off, too.

You're done with the hoses. Look behind the tank, under the seat, and you'll see a big plastic sleeve containing a cluster of electrical connections. One of these connections can be traced back to the underside of the fuel tank -- it's the fuel sensor, and you'll need to disconnect it.

Now you can take the tank away from your poor friend, or, heck, make them carry it away themselves. Storing it right-side up is easiest if it's a temporary thing. Just make sure that you've got rags or cloths underneath it so the paint doesn't chip. Obviously, make sure that you don't care if the aforementioned rags get gasoline on them, and, for the love of god, don't smoke around them.

If you're going to be storing the tank off of the bike for a prolonged period of time, you can store it upside-down if you prefer, but be careful. I've found that if the tank tips forward while upside-down, gas will seep out of the smaller drain nipple, run down the length of the tank, and collect in the bowl-like underside of the tank. Since it picks up dirt from the foam glued to the underside of the tank, it will turn disgusting colors. If left sitting for a while, it will also start to smell heavily of gasoline (not terribly surprisingly). This may, hypothetically, cause your neighbors to break into your garage while you're gone over Christmas and try to figure out, hypothetically, where that reeking smell of hypothetical gas is coming from. This is hypothetically very embarrassing. Plug up the drain nipples, or prop up the tank so that gas doesn't leak.

installation.
Installing the fuel tank is literally just the exact opposite of removal. Reverse the steps, and you'll be all good. Don't forget to turn the fuel switch yin yang back on, or you'll be confused as to why your bike won't start.