trouble getting the tank up

[specialk]

hey guys, been having trouble with my gas gauge....with 1 bar left I am only putting in 3.5 gallons. I wanted to lift the tank to see if it was imploding like I had seen in other posts which I was able to..doesn't look abnormal but I have not seen another tank to compare.

in any case, I was not able to get the tank up enough. I got it to rock back until it appeared that the back of the tank hit a plastic bracket. The piece I think its hitting is the plastic cover that goes over the metal bracket through which the plastic tab on the front seat slides into. Do i have to remove this bracket to get the tank up? do I have to remove the long bolt which the back of the tank pivots on to rock the tank back?

in other news, I had to put the tank down and went to try and put the 2 allens that hold the front of the tank down and now they won't align. I have to push as hard as I can on the back of the tank to move it forward for the holes to align. Is this normal?

as always, your input is appreciated.

 

[Rogue]

On GenI you need to loosen the rear pivot bolt, you probably need to loosen it on GenII also.

 

[C&C]

You need to loosen the rear pivot bolt (12mm wrenches) and you have to remove the two fasteners (one on each side) that holds the black plastic shroud to the frame (only visable when the seat is off). To remove the fastener you need to push in the center, then pull the fastener out.

When tilting the tank up be aware of the vent tubing that can also hangup and keep the tank from pivoting.

 

[Fred W]

I was not able to get the tank up enough. I got it to rock back until it appeared that the back of the tank hit a plastic bracket. The piece I think its hitting is the plastic cover that goes over the metal bracket through which the plastic tab on the front seat slides into. Do i have to remove this bracket to get the tank up? do I have to remove the long bolt which the back of the tank pivots on to rock the tank back?

You do need to remove the two plastic side panels just to the bottom rear of the tank first. But that is all. Then just loosen the rear pivot bolt as described above. On mine, as I raise the tank I have to fiddle with the hoses on the left side as they get hung up on stuff as the tank rises.

I had to put the tank down and went to try and put the 2 allens that hold the front of the tank down and now they won't align. I have to push as hard as I can on the back of the tank to move it forward for the holes to align. Is this normal?

Yep. That rear pivot bolt does have some slop in it, so you do need to shove the tank forward as you start the 2 front screws. And you may want to save yourself some aggravation by taking those cheesey soft allen bolts to the hardware store and get some replacements that won't strip out quite so easily.

 

[lnewlf]

Handy built in tank prop-when you get the tank up turn the bars all the way to one side or the other and rest the tank on the grip-put something between the grip and tank for protection and extra height. Useful for on the road repairs.

 

[mcatrophy]

(Click on image for larger view)

 

[wfooshee]

You do need to remove the two plastic side panels just to the bottom rear of the tank first. But that is all. Then just loosen the rear pivot bolt as described above. On mine, as I raise the tank I have to fiddle with the hoses on the left side as they get hung up on stuff as the tank rises.

GenII tank trim is different, a single wrap-around piece, but it does have to come off to lift the tank.

4-inch piece of scrap 2x4 makes a good tank prop.

As for tank implosion, run the thing out of gas and see how much it takes to fill up.

 

[specialk]

Thanks so much for the information guys. is it normal that the tank takes only 3.5 gallons when there is 1 bar left on the gauge?

As for tank implosion, run the thing out of gas and see how much it takes to fill up.

 

[Roy Epperson]

Thanks so much for the information guys. is it normal that the tank takes only 3.5 gallons when there is 1 bar left on the gauge?

No. On my '07 that's around 4.5g

 

[RadioHowie]

Thanks so much for the information guys. is it normal that the tank takes only 3.5 gallons when there is 1 bar left on the gauge?

As for tank implosion, run the thing out of gas and see how much it takes to fill up.

Depends on when you read the "1 bar" condition.

If you turn the key on to activate the gauge when the bike is on the sidestand, you will get an erroneous reading on the tank....it will read LOW.

Check the "number of bars" with the bike on the centerstand, or with you sitting astride the bike holding it upright.

 

[wfooshee]

But it will be several minutes before it changes if you've hit it at an angle. Don't expect to just shut it off, sit it up, and get a correct reading.

 

[SkooterG]

But it will be several minutes before it changes if you've hit it at an angle. Don't expect to just shut it off, sit it up, and get a correct reading.

That always works for me?

Sometimes, I'll wait 5 seconds or so to stop any sloshing, but I haven't noticed a difference one way or the other.

 

[RadioHowie]

But it will be several minutes before it changes if you've hit it at an angle. Don't expect to just shut it off, sit it up, and get a correct reading.

That always works for me?

Sometimes, I'll wait 5 seconds or so to stop any sloshing, but I haven't noticed a difference one way or the other.

(God forgive me....)

Walt, I'm with Skoot on this one...I've been able to "reset" my display with a simple "key-off" for a coupe of seconds, set the bike upright, "key-on" and improve my gauge reading by 2 bars.

Must be an "04" thing.

 

[johnny80s]

Are you talking about when it hits one bar or when the one bar is flashing. When mine starts to flash it is about 4.5 gallons. If it was at one bar then it would be closer to 3.5. I tend to just wait for it to start flashing then I know I can go about 50 miles more.

 

[wfooshee]

That always works for me?
Sometimes, I'll wait 5 seconds or so to stop any sloshing, but I haven't noticed a difference one way or the other.

(God forgive me....)
Walt, I'm with Skoot on this one...I've been able to "reset" my display with a simple "key-off" for a coupe of seconds, set the bike upright, "key-on" and improve my gauge reading by 2 bars.

Must be an "04" thing.

Well, I went out and tried it, because I had to prove you post whores wrong.

Yet I humiliate and embarrass myself publicly. It did correct it with just a few seconds of key-off.

 

[RadioHowie]

Well, I went out and tried it, because I had to prove you post whores wrong.

Bwahaha!!! Have you checked that number under your avatar lately, Mister I-Never-Post-Unless-Posted-Upon?

 

[specialk]

isn't it strange that the first 7 or 8 bars represent 3.5 gallons and the last 1 bar represents 3 gallons? you guys are saying that your machines are the same way which means that this is normal...

 

[RICLET]

Must be an "04" thing.

More likely a "tale from the darkside thing"

On the other hand if anyone knows how to take off and put on a gastank is good ol' RH

 

[RadioHowie]

Must be an "04" thing.

More likely a "tale from the darkside thing"

On the other hand if anyone knows how to take off and put on a gastank is good ol' RH

In my sleep, buddy....I can do it in my sleep.

How the hell are ya? Soon as the weather warms a touch, let's go riding!!