Gas Tank Removal
For Nomad, Classic & Drifter Fuel Injected Bikes
-Gadget
This applies to '99 and later FI models. (Note, Removal for Carbed Bikes is simpler only needing the fuel line removed from the petcock plus a vent line or two)
It will be make things much easier if you drain the tank if you're doing this by yourself. Otherwise you'll probably need a helper to hold the tank while you disconnect hoses from the bottom. All you need is a siphon hose (and what teenager has never used one of those on dad's car eh?). If a piece of 1/2" garden hose isn't handy visit your auto supply store and pick up three or four feet of clear (so you can see the gas coming toward your mouth) 1/2" id (or close) plastic fuel line. Sometimes it's sold off a big spool sometimes pre-packaged hanging on a peg. You can also find clear hose at many hardware stores (even Home Depot & Lowes).
Follow the instructions below up to #8 (so the tank is loose) and put a block of wood under the rear of the tank so it's tilted forward slightly. Put your hose in the tank, apply suction (hopefully without getting a mouth full of hydrocarbon) and transfer fuel to another container.
Special Caution: Do NOT remove the pressurized hose if the engine has just been running or even if you've had the key on in the past few minutes. If the hose is removed before pressure has a chance to bleed off you WILL spray gasoline all over your bike and maybe yourself.
- Remove the seat
- Remove the chrome instrument surround (take out bolt and slide the surround forward)
- Slide the speedometer assembly forward and off (if digital), lift out and disconnect speedo cable if analog.
- Disconnect wires from speedometer assembly and set assembly aside in a safe place
- Disconnect the other 2 wire connectors. It'll be handy to have a small flat blade screwdriver for this so you can push down on the catches while pulling the connectors apart
- Remove front cap nut and rear tank bolt. Both are 12 mm.
- Remove the one or two vent hoses you can see at the rear of the tank. (California bikes have two vents, most others use one).
- Lift the front of the tank and put a folded shop towel on top of the engine right under the fuel lines. You'll get a few drops out of the lines when they're unplugged.
- Remove the the fuel return hose...(the one with the metal clamp). A little gas might come out.
- Remove the pressurized fuel hose...this one has a "squeeze" fitting. You just squeeze on each side of it with your fingers, push the fitting up toward the tank just a little then (while holding the 'buttons' in wiggle side to side to release it. A few drops of fuel might drip but the rag should take care of it.
- Remove the square plastic piece and vent hose on the right side of the tank. It's next to the fuel line you just removed and covers some electrical connections.
- Remove the vent line toward the rear of the tank. This line runs to the collection of vent hoses near the rear of the engine.
- Finally, Remove the tank.
At this point a helper will be real handy to hold the tank up while you disconnect the fuel and vent lines especially if there's any fuel in the tank.
It probably took you longer to read all that than to actually do it and once you've removed the tank you won't hesitate to do it again for general maintenance especially if there's any chance you could drop something on it.
Re-assembly is in reverse order.