Gas Tank Removal When Full

If I don't find a way to siphon the gas first am I going to make a big mess? Any advice would be appreciated.

HorribleHutter, Apr 12 2009, 02:38 PMIf I don't find a way to siphon the gas first am I going to make a big mess?

Yep.

Actually I've had my tank off with gas in it.........just don't tip it, and make sure you elevate/pinch off the hoses. I'd do it outside just in case.

If you do decide to take it off the bike with gas in it, Just be prepared to set it down on a nice safe place. The thing weighs a ton with gas in it so make sure you also have a good stable grip on it because if the gas inside sloshes around ithe tank will try to tip over on you and you wouldn't want to be dropping it in the process. I usually have a work table next to the bike that's close to the height of the gas tank when it is mounted on the bike I place a nice big towel on the table to cushion the gas tank, protect it's finish and also catch any gas drips that might come out of it. Makes replacing the tank back on the bike much easier too, instead of dead lifting it from the floor of your garage.

Beck
95 VFR

HorribleHutter, Apr 12 2009, 12:38 PMIf I don't find a way to siphon the gas first am I going to make a big mess? Any advice would be appreciated.

Normally , I ride the tank down before messing with anything tank related , its easier than siphoning, which is an option

I just went through this with my RC51 and I think the fuel pumps work the same way. On my RC I pinched off the return line, disconnected it, then routed it into an empty container and released the line to drain. Otherwise, stick a hose in the tank from the filler, and siphon!

KPerham, Apr 12 2009, 01:23 PMI just went through this with my RC51 and I think the fuel pumps work the same way. On my RC I pinched off the return line, disconnected it, then routed it into an empty container and released the line to drain. Otherwise, stick a hose in the tank from the filler, and siphon!

I'm going to try your method. Yesterday I was going to try this but the clamp was facing down so I will try and spin it around so I can grab it with some needle nose. Thanks for the advice.

ECX585, Apr 12 2009, 03:08 PMActually I've had my tank off with gas in it.........just don't tip it, and make sure you elevate/pinch off the hoses. I'd do it outside just in case.

You keep the line pinched off while you undo the banjo bolt?
Why didn't I think of that? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

HorribleHutter, Apr 12 2009, 01:27 PM

KPerham, Apr 12 2009, 01:23 PMI just went through this with my RC51 and I think the fuel pumps work the same way. On my RC I pinched off the return line, disconnected it, then routed it into an empty container and released the line to drain. Otherwise, stick a hose in the tank from the filler, and siphon!

I'm going to try your method. Yesterday I was going to try this but the clamp was facing down so I will try and spin it around so I can grab it with some needle nose. Thanks for the advice.

The vent line clamp at the far end of the vent line away from the tank was facing down where I couldn't grab it. I ended up having my 12 yr old neighbor hold the gas tank twisted at 9 o'clock position, if 12" o'clock is how it sits installed. I had a 5 gallon gas jug and a long funnel ready and disconnected the vent line at the tank and let it drain. After empty I was able to disconnect the rest of the connections.

Before I reinstall the tank I am going to rotate that pesky clamp facing up where I can get to it next time!

HorribleHutter, Apr 12 2009, 04:47 PM

HorribleHutter, Apr 12 2009, 01:27 PM

KPerham, Apr 12 2009, 01:23 PMI just went through this with my RC51 and I think the fuel pumps work the same way. On my RC I pinched off the return line, disconnected it, then routed it into an empty container and released the line to drain. Otherwise, stick a hose in the tank from the filler, and siphon!

I'm going to try your method. Yesterday I was going to try this but the clamp was facing down so I will try and spin it around so I can grab it with some needle nose. Thanks for the advice.

The vent line clamp at the far end of the vent line away from the tank was facing down where I couldn't grab it. I ended up having my 12 yr old neighbor hold the gas tank twisted at 9 o'clock position, if 12" o'clock is how it sits installed. I had a 5 gallon gas jug and a long funnel ready and disconnected the vent line at the tank and let it drain. After empty I was able to disconnect the rest of the connections.

Before I reinstall the tank I am going to rotate that pesky clamp facing up where I can get to it next time!

Now I am having an issue attempting to completely get all the gas out of the tank. Any advice for this? I removed the pump hardware and started to pull it off the bike then realized I is not mounted all the way to the edge so I won't be able to get all the gas out that way either.

Don't have to get it completely empty for removal.......just get most of it out and you should be fine.

Ok while we're on this subject, does anyone know if one of the vent lines is grey with a red stripe?

yeswill2k, Apr 12 2009, 06:37 PMOk while we're on this subject, does anyone know if one of the vent lines is grey with a red stripe?

Not sure but I think you are right. I guess I drained my tank from the return line, not the vent line.

johnmark101, Apr 12 2009, 06:27 PMDon't have to get it completely empty for removal.......just get most of it out and you should be fine.

I have it off the bike now, but my paint guy wants all the gas out of it so he can work on it. It has a small ding from my 2 mph tip over where the fairing got pushed into it.

HorribleHutter, Apr 12 2009, 09:44 PM

johnmark101, Apr 12 2009, 06:27 PMDon't have to get it completely empty for removal.......just get most of it out and you should be fine.

I have it off the bike now, but my paint guy wants all the gas out of it so he can work on it. It has a small ding from my 2 mph tip over where the fairing got pushed into it.

Soak it out with rags or a towel Outside

?? Flip the tank upside down then disconnect the fuel lines?

vfrcapn, Apr 13 2009, 01:58 PM?? Flip the tank upside down then disconnect the fuel lines?

Shoving a rag in there and letting it soak is the answer. None of the existing holse are right on the edge so no matter what I disconnect, I can't just pour it out. Even turning it upside down doesn't help because the filler neck sticks down into the tank a little.

HorribleHutter, Apr 14 2009, 01:25 AM

vfrcapn, Apr 13 2009, 01:58 PM?? Flip the tank upside down then disconnect the fuel lines?

Shoving a rag in there and letting it soak is the answer. None of the existing holse are right on the edge so no matter what I disconnect, I can't just pour it out. Even turning it upside down doesn't help because the filler neck sticks down into the tank a little.

Use a rag and then let the last few drips evaporate. Sunlight, hairdryer, fan, etc.

What ever method you decide on, SAFETY cannot be overly stressed.

Years ago I worked at a dealership. Guy bought a new bike which had a small ding in the tank. We told him we would get him a new tank. When the tank came in, we called him and told him to come on in. The idiot stopped and gassed up on his way to the shop. I siphoned all of the gas out, changed the embelms and hardware over, and was pouring his gas back in his tank. Fumes built up on the shop floor, got to the water heater pilot light, and me, a 5 gallon jug of gas, and his bike got toasted.

You can't be too careful and as someone else recommended, do it outside and have a fire extinguisher nearby at all times.

1 - Stick a 4-5' length of appropriate hose in the tank.
2 - Place a 5-Gallon gas jug on the floor next to the bike
3 - Kneel below the tank and suck on the hose and point it into the jug quickly. The trick is to establish flow before gas returns back to the tank and not to inhale any of it. It does not taste good. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/warranty.gif) I know. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) Took me several tries as a kid to learn this technique.
I used to have a hose with a hand pump many years ago for just such an occasion. It was a squeeze bulb that replaced the sucking and pointing part of this exercise. I don't know if they sell things like that around here...