Fuel tank removal AARGH
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: Anchorage, AK
How do i remove the tank without spilling fuel all over the place, is there a trick to doing this without too much fuel loss and the mess that goes with it, ...it's the crossover line that confuses me, there should be a T line so that it can be drained on the bike, maybe when the tank is off i will figure something out for the next time.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 10
From: Suffolk, England
Best done with some help if you want to do it without draining the tank.
I had to hand a small crosshead screwdriver with a shaft that is a tight fit inside the crossover pipe and a short length (~6") of pipe similar to the crossover pipe with one end clamped shut with a little G-clamp. I then pulled off one end of the crossover pipe and sealed the ends with my thumbs. Working around my thumbs, my son then shoved the bit of pipe on the tank end and the screwdriver into the crossover pipe. Tank was then ready to be removed.
Lost about an ounce of fuel taking the pipe off and the same getting it back on, a bit of rag under the bike caught that.
I had to hand a small crosshead screwdriver with a shaft that is a tight fit inside the crossover pipe and a short length (~6") of pipe similar to the crossover pipe with one end clamped shut with a little G-clamp. I then pulled off one end of the crossover pipe and sealed the ends with my thumbs. Working around my thumbs, my son then shoved the bit of pipe on the tank end and the screwdriver into the crossover pipe. Tank was then ready to be removed.
Lost about an ounce of fuel taking the pipe off and the same getting it back on, a bit of rag under the bike caught that.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
YEP YOU WILL SPILL GAS,LOL I didnt completly drain mine and had to stand there for 10 mins! Why cut the hose as those say above? just extra **** to do! Try to drain tank or ride around till almost empty then disconnect and use milk jug while pinching hose.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 521
Likes: 3
From: Colorado Springs, Co.
No, you will spill some gas. I spilled a lot 'cause I dropped my drain hose. I used a pair of surgical forceps to pinch the hose on one side, pulled the other side off and tried to plug it quickly; missed. Since you're carb'd, you should be able to shut the petcock off, remove the hose, slip on a long hose, feed it into a gas can, open the petcock and let 'er rip. The tank sets at a bit of an angle, so most of your gas will be out and you should be able to remove the crossover with minimal spillage. Clamp the right side, as it will hold more residual.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: In Denial
News flash - 3 gallons of fuel will not fit into a one gallon milk jug. Don't ask how I know that.
When I reassembled mine I put a quick disconnect coupler in the crossover. The coupler shuts off the flow when it's disconnected so there's very little fuel spilled. I've had my tank off three times since then and it's greatly simplified the process.
When I reassembled mine I put a quick disconnect coupler in the crossover. The coupler shuts off the flow when it's disconnected so there's very little fuel spilled. I've had my tank off three times since then and it's greatly simplified the process.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 52
From: Ottawa Canada
What kind of quick disconnect coupler did you use, or what parts did you get to do this, sounds like a great idea, if you have pics those would be better, i am a hands on and visual kind of old guy
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 14
From: Central Ohio
thx for the replies , i like the pinch the line idea, is there something special you use to pinch the line.as for shop manual that is next, here in Canada the manual cost 90.00 plus tax, but is on my list of things to buy as i plan on doing more wrk to the bike over the winter.My money is tied up in wheels and wideglide front end.
I pinch off the right side, place an old bath towel over the top of the motor, remove the clamp on the left side, slide the rubber tube off AND cover the metal tube with my left hand fore finger, install the vacume cap & spring clamp.
Last edited by mud; Jan 19, 2011 at 04:57 PM. Reason: no pirated HD property
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 52
From: Ottawa Canada
Well , thx for the pics, looks to be an easy task if done right, i may still get some sort of T connector , i still plan on having the tank painted in the future so the T connector may prove valuable and a time saver, for now i need to get the tank off, so that i may get to the wiring harness to install the wideglide front end and disconnect the lights etc..
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: In Denial
It's been a few years since I bought them and I haven't been able to find them on line again. Blacknsilver is right though, the were a little pricey. Wish I could find the dealer cause my buddy's been asking about where I got them as well.