Tank Lift
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Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 983
Likes: 4
From: Fredericksburg, Va
Tank Lift
Just received the almighty tank lift kit. I have never removed my tank and I do plan on doing this although not required for the kit. Any helpful pointers from anyone who installed one please advise. The directions that came with it are good but recent experiences are better.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 6,344
Likes: 6
From: my house
1st drain tank get gas syphoner from local auto parts store
then take seat off,loosen back bolt(or just take out),
then release quick disconnect gas line,then prop tank
wait nevermind all that just go for a long aarse ride run out of gas
then syphon out rest,ok after all that get towels/somethin to drain that little exess
gas into when you cut crossover,drain the rest.i suggest painting
all hardware to match bike (cleaner look),install kit use blue loctite on hardware
im sure i missed some thin good luck
then take seat off,loosen back bolt(or just take out),
then release quick disconnect gas line,then prop tank
wait nevermind all that just go for a long aarse ride run out of gas
then syphon out rest,ok after all that get towels/somethin to drain that little exess
gas into when you cut crossover,drain the rest.i suggest painting
all hardware to match bike (cleaner look),install kit use blue loctite on hardware
im sure i missed some thin good luck
Last edited by m i k e; Aug 4, 2009 at 10:51 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 2
WHy would you want to remove the tank to install the lift... It is pretty straight forward.. Make sure you have very little fuel in tank disconnecting battery and fuel pump fuze then purging system (run it until it dies). Remove cross over fuel line (under the tank up front) be prepared to catch the fuel. Remove the rear tank cover nut and then I think there is another nut to remove or loosen.. Remove the the bolt holding the tank tank up front. Wiggle the tank and move upwards to desired height and install that high speed kit you got and assemble.. I think that all you need...
Now if you want to remove the tank do the above to include the following.. Remove fuel line to EFI its a coupler so push upward and pull down on the line.. Disconnect vent tube up front (1/4) rubber hose). Disconnect wire harness under tank once its lifted of the back bone... and ibeleive your are done.. If i missed a step, some one will chime in.. Good Luck
Now if you want to remove the tank do the above to include the following.. Remove fuel line to EFI its a coupler so push upward and pull down on the line.. Disconnect vent tube up front (1/4) rubber hose). Disconnect wire harness under tank once its lifted of the back bone... and ibeleive your are done.. If i missed a step, some one will chime in.. Good Luck
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: North Jersey
I did a 2in lift and didn't even have to drain the tank. Just loosened it front and back, lifted it and installed the brackets. With 3 of us it was a 15 minute job. You will need atleast 2 people. If you want to go 3 inches I believe you will need to drain the tank. If you are doing the 2 in I would suggest cutting the brackets down and haveing them chromed or painted before. You'll have an extra inch of bracket hanging down if you don't. For whatever its worth I liked the look but have taken the kift back off because I put Apes on the bike and they hit. Plus I like the tank sitting low with the Apes, makes them look higher.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 94
Likes: 44
From: Murfreesboro, TN
It will throw off your fuel sensor big time. I have a 2" lift and per the sensor, I "run out" of fuel with 50+ miles of gas left in the tank. It also throws off the flush mount fuel gauge. I use the trip meter to fill up every 125 - 150 miles and have been golden.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 10
From: Orange VA
I put a 3" lift on and had to add an extended crossover hose and the overflow vent hose in the front. The rubber boot that hides and houses switch couplings and other electric stuff at the front of the tank had to come off because it no longer fit properly.
Yes this will throw off your fuel gauge slightly but they never really work well anyway. Your best friend when determining fuel consumption and when to get gas is the trip odo.
I'm sure it would be easier with more than one person but I did mine solo without too much trouble. I removed the tank but it was because I was doing a bar swap in conjunction with the tank lift and had to extend internal wring. If you do not remove the tank, make sure you loosen the rear tank mounting bolt or else you will bend the tank mounting tab back there when you try to lift the tank up.
Biggest pain, even after running the tank to near empty, is fuel run out when you pull the crossover hose. If you plug one end of the replacement hose and have a plug handy for the old hose end when you pull it off, you can quickly swap one side and then the other with minimal spill. Of course remember to slip new hose clamps over hose before you attach it to the tank. Unfortunately, no way to do this with tank off the bike since crossover hose goes under the backbone.
Last note is wiring aesthetics. You may end up with some exposed wires where shrink tubing pieces consolidate. This junction point is normally hidden by the tank console and that rubber boot/seal at the front of the tank but now will be exposed. If you are a stickler for attention to detail you can cover this with black tape or some other covering.
Yes this will throw off your fuel gauge slightly but they never really work well anyway. Your best friend when determining fuel consumption and when to get gas is the trip odo.
I'm sure it would be easier with more than one person but I did mine solo without too much trouble. I removed the tank but it was because I was doing a bar swap in conjunction with the tank lift and had to extend internal wring. If you do not remove the tank, make sure you loosen the rear tank mounting bolt or else you will bend the tank mounting tab back there when you try to lift the tank up.
Biggest pain, even after running the tank to near empty, is fuel run out when you pull the crossover hose. If you plug one end of the replacement hose and have a plug handy for the old hose end when you pull it off, you can quickly swap one side and then the other with minimal spill. Of course remember to slip new hose clamps over hose before you attach it to the tank. Unfortunately, no way to do this with tank off the bike since crossover hose goes under the backbone.
Last note is wiring aesthetics. You may end up with some exposed wires where shrink tubing pieces consolidate. This junction point is normally hidden by the tank console and that rubber boot/seal at the front of the tank but now will be exposed. If you are a stickler for attention to detail you can cover this with black tape or some other covering.
Last edited by bensonjv; Aug 5, 2009 at 10:11 AM.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 6,344
Likes: 6
From: my house
wonder why
i think it makes the bike look better
the negative is the fuel lite but who cares
i know how far i need/have to go
like idea of 3 people doin the job,
i explained it the way i did cuz it was part of takin
tank off anyway for my apes good luck dude
i think it makes the bike look better
the negative is the fuel lite but who cares
i know how far i need/have to go
like idea of 3 people doin the job,
i explained it the way i did cuz it was part of takin
tank off anyway for my apes good luck dude
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Murrieta, CA
I have the 2" lift on my bike and love the look of it.
I thought I heard that the speedometer wire works on the 2" lift, but has to be extended on the 3". If you do a search, you should be able to find more info on this.
Like everyone else stated, the fuel gauge to me isn't a really big deal. I typically know how far I can go on a tank of gas. If anything, I don't let the tank get too close to empty and probably fill up more than I did before the tank lift.
I thought I heard that the speedometer wire works on the 2" lift, but has to be extended on the 3". If you do a search, you should be able to find more info on this.
Like everyone else stated, the fuel gauge to me isn't a really big deal. I typically know how far I can go on a tank of gas. If anything, I don't let the tank get too close to empty and probably fill up more than I did before the tank lift.