softail tank removal
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1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Texas
softail tank removal
Hello All - I am trying to figure out how to remove the gas tank from a 2006 heritage flsti - trying to find a wire causing my accessory fuse to blow every time I start the bike. Thanks to anyone who can help.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 751
Likes: 9
From: Portland, Oregon
First always buy the factory service manual. Not a lot of money but it has illustrations, photos, and instructions for anything you would ever want to do to your bike. It covers like every part on it. But on the immediate side it is partly easy, and partly messy. To fully remove the tank you need to pull off the fuel crossover tube on the front bottom of the tank. Many ways to do this but its hard not to spill gas. Instead, you could lift the tank by removing the instrument cluster, the front tank bolt and the rear tank hex bolt (after removing the seat.) This might allow enough clearance to see your wiring harness.
Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 73
From: Pittsburgh, PA
To drain gas without spillage (it helps if the bike is pointing slightly downhill)
1) siphon or pump out as much gas out as you can < this step isn't necessary but it will take a lot longer to drain if you don't)
2) take a pair of needle-nose vise grips and pinch the crossover fuel line right at the end of each nipple, one on each side (don't pinch the nipple, just the hose)
3) cut the crossover fuel line right in the center, you'll spill maybe 2 Tbsp's of gas
4) take any flexible hose you have, slip it over one of the pinched hoses and route into a gas can, release that vise grip, drain gas.
5) repeat #4 for the other pinched hose.
6) buy a new length of fuel line for the crossover, <$2
I've drained my tank completely this way, several times without spilling any gas.
1) siphon or pump out as much gas out as you can < this step isn't necessary but it will take a lot longer to drain if you don't)
2) take a pair of needle-nose vise grips and pinch the crossover fuel line right at the end of each nipple, one on each side (don't pinch the nipple, just the hose)
3) cut the crossover fuel line right in the center, you'll spill maybe 2 Tbsp's of gas
4) take any flexible hose you have, slip it over one of the pinched hoses and route into a gas can, release that vise grip, drain gas.
5) repeat #4 for the other pinched hose.
6) buy a new length of fuel line for the crossover, <$2
I've drained my tank completely this way, several times without spilling any gas.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,971
Likes: 901
From: Omaha
To embark on this task without a service manual is not very wise.
IMO- the first purchase after a bike purchase is a service manual.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2016
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From: Texas
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,284
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From: Outta ways, IL
Before you lift the back end of the tank, disconnect the fuel line to the throttle body. It is a plastic quick disconnect and if you don't you may crack the barbed end of the disconnect fitting. (don't ask how I know this). The dealer won't sell you just the fitting, you have to but the whole hose assembly, 46.00!!! (again, don't ask)
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 233
From:
if your just trying to get to the wiring harness where all your clamshell stuff plugs into you dont need to remove the tank, you just slide it back. Remove bolts front and back, disconnect the fuel line (quick connect on left hand side) there is one breather tube to disconnect that attaches to the speedo gauge (you dont have to take speedo gauge off either) then just slide the tank back slowly until you can get to what you need. Put a piece of cereal box cardboard ontop of your rockers so they dont get scratched when sliding the tank back. If you want to remove the tank completely you have to do all that i told you plus drain the gas and take the speedo off and disconnect the cross over tube in order to pull it off. I think theres a wire underneath there too once you pull the tank up and off you have to unplug
Last edited by saltlick; Jan 20, 2018 at 09:38 PM.
