Somehow my headlight harness came undone over the past week. I could see the ends under the tank but couldn't make the connection without removing the damned thing.

It was about 1/2 full. I pulled the hose off one side and "tried" to feed it down a tube into an empty can. What fun. I must have lost a gallon or so of gas on the garage floor, my pants, shirt and everything else within 2 feet.

To top it off, the slip valve on the gas line (EFI) leaks.

So, the million $$ question is what is the best way to drain a tank? I'd really like to know. What do you do AND what did I do wrong?

 

I have just pulled the hose off of the petcock, use a rag to catch any spillage and drain the hose still connected to the carb into a can. then install another that runs into a gas can and turn on the petcock. make sure to turn the petcock to reserve to make sure you remove all of the fuel. then i run an air hose to the vent on the right tank and blow any remaining fuel out. my bike is a 96 and uses gravity feed and would think it should not be much diferent with the newer models.

 

MY NT is fuel injected so I can't turn the fuel off. I was able to pull the equalizer hose off but had a hard time holding the fuel flow from the hose side and barb side (i.e. two leaks).

 

Go to a local hdwe store and purchase a hand pump (plastic w/squeeze buld on top). Pumping on it will start a "siphon" effect and drain most of the tank. If you want to get 100% out, then attach a small tube on a large size syringe and put this down to the lower part of the tank and retrieve the rest out thru the syringe. Works for me...no spilled fuel and no panic clean up.

 

No kidding, panic clean up. I thought I was going to pass out last night, one from anger and two from the fumes.

Here's what I did to make it easier for the next time. I bought new hose (5/16), a 5/16 brass T and a few 5/16 rubber caps. Haven't done it yet (just got back) but I will put the T inline and cap it. When it comes time to drain, I can pull the cap and attach a drain hose. It's small enough that it shouldn't be seen.

I'll take pictures if anyone's interested.

 

Ride it then push it home

 

its well explained in the service manual. On my softail you drain it

from the crossover line in front of the tank, although you will have to

pop for a new line clamp. Pretty staight-forward.

 

Don't you have the large nut just behind where the fuel disconnect it on the tank? You can use that if you have it.

 

Thats what I would do

 

The bike was repainted, several times and the nut as well as most of the QD hardware was painted over. I wasn't sure what that plug was until I opened the tank. Now I know better.

Draining was easy, one I smartened up and bought a $3.00 siphon from Wal-Mart. With the bike upgright and slightly to the right, I got just about every drop out of the tank. The cross-over trick is great but went horribly wrong on Friday night. I must have lost about 1/2 gallon of fuel, all over me, the garage floor and front end of the bike.

I now know better.

As far as the service manual, I just got mine in the mail yesterday. Bought it on ebay (new) for $33. It certainly helps take the guesswork out of things.