taking off an IS tank

[NighthawkVTX]

Are there any surprises I should be aware of, or suggestions I should know before attempting to take off the tank of an IS
I would think it would be fairly simple since Honda designed the beast with the air filter down in there.

[Earl43P]

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/carltank.htm

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/carlairfilter.htm

My air filter is overdue and I've never done one on a Valkyrie.

[Valkorado]

Remember the screw inside the petcock handle knob (make sure it's off first) and the fuel indicator hookup under the tank.

[Jess from VA]

It's easier without a full tank, though it need not be empty.  

Put the tank where it can't possibility be tripped over or fall off something, that will really piss you off.

Never handle the tank with anything else in your hand or shirt pocket that can fall out or be dropped and ding the tank.  That will also piss you off.

There are rubber bushings in the frame for the fore and aft screws to go though, don't lose them.

The petcock screw (to pull) has a Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) head on it, and it's very soft metal, so don't bugger it up with a Phillips. (A Phillips will work but it's easy to bugger up the head)

The under tank lines that have to be unhooked are short for a reason.  After removing the screws (seat already off), the best way to do this is to take a small piece of 2X4 and stick it under the rear of the tank against the frame, on edge.  This uses up all the available gas hose flex, and gives you the ability to use both hands to work (rather than one to hold it up and only one to work).  

One of those headband LED lights is really handy, even in broad daylight. Unless you prefer drooling with a mini maglite in your mouth.

Do not forget to notice the little skinny air box cover gasket, and to put it back.  

There are 27 screws holding the air box cover on (I may be exaggerating), like it was going to get away while under the tank, but don't lose any.  

Notice how your air cleaner is only dirty in back.... that's the intake side.

Don't do what I did and get everything all cleaned up with new filter and all buttoned up and the tank back on, and forget to hook up the fuel sending unit.  Yeah, that will piss you off too.  

This is a capital time to carefully check the 100 yards of vacuum hose under there for cracks or splits (esp right where they go on to nipples, underneath) and replace any that need it. (exaggerating again)

If you might ever want to power up an accessory on the front of the bike, it's a capital time to run a proper gauge wire under the tank (with extra coiled up on both ends), so that's already done if you need it later.

Pay attention to how it comes off, cause that's how it goes back on.





  

[gordonv]

Don't do what I did and get everything all cleaned up with new filter and all buttoned up and the tank back on, and forget to hook up the fuel sending unit.  Yeah, that will piss you off too.  

There is the vent, gauge, fuel and vacuum lines.

Be sure fuel is turned off and not leaking, or your going to drip gas all over. I did mine when on reserve.

[Chrisj CMA]

Don't do what I did and get everything all cleaned up with new filter and all buttoned up and the tank back on, and forget to hook up the fuel sending unit.  Yeah, that will piss you off too.  

There is the vent, gauge, fuel and vacuum lines.

Be sure fuel is turned off and not leaking, or your going to drip gas all over. I did mine when on reserve.

If you have an  OEM petcock, it shouldn’t matter what position the selector is in. It should not leak or flow fuel with the engine off.

[gordonv]

Don't do what I did and get everything all cleaned up with new filter and all buttoned up and the tank back on, and forget to hook up the fuel sending unit.  Yeah, that will piss you off too.  

There is the vent, gauge, fuel and vacuum lines.

Be sure fuel is turned off and not leaking, or your going to drip gas all over. I did mine when on reserve.

If you have an  OEM petcock, it shouldn’t matter what position the selector is in. It should not leak or flow fuel with the engine off.

Yes. But, I suspected mine had failed, as I would not run out of fuel in 15 min of hwy driving with the selector on OFF, and I felt the indent as it seats in each position. So I suspected that I had a leaking petcock, and fuel would leak when I removed the tank.

It didn't, except for some fuel from the line side. Still not dripping. Tomorrow I'm going to start my bike. Going to add a vacuum on my petcock, which I feel will then start leaking in any position.

[sandy]

One more advise; Remove the side covers when the seat comes off. That will protect them from dropping the tank.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Are there any surprises I should be aware of, or suggestions I should know before attempting to take off the tank of an IS
I would think it would be fairly simple since Honda designed the beast with the air filter down in there.

You've had your bike 4 years and never took the tank off ? You might need new vacuum, vent hoses, clamps. Might as well get them ahead of time. It's not that hard. Just not a lot of room to hook stuff up. A long pair of needle nose will help.

[Chrisj CMA]

One more advise; Remove the side covers when the seat comes off. That will protect them from dropping the tank.

I don’t understand this advice. Do you frequently drop your tank on the side covers?

[NighthawkVTX]

so does the tank need to be completely off to change the air filter?

[The emperor has no clothes]

so does the tank need to be completely off to change the air filter?

yes

[John Schmidt]

so does the tank need to be completely off to change the air filter?

yes

Unless you have baby size hands and 14" fingers. Some riders have been known to speak in tongues during this exercise. 

[Jess from VA]

You cannot possibly remove the 27 screws holding the airbox cover on (or the cover itself if you could) with the tank on, or just tilted up.

It may only be 8.  

And, the FL VRCC chapter is large and active and any number of guys would probably be willing to help you out if you asked.

[gordonv]

I just put my tank back on yesterday, after having removed the carbs for the intake o-ring replacements.

It wasn't as easy a job as I thought, the wire harness was in the way too. Had to get the fuel line in the right place, then press it onto the petcock, next the vacuum line, and again press it onto the petcock. It was a Pain! Too tight to get my hand in, I removed the left side hanger to make some.

The vacuum line was long enough to put on before placing the tank, but the fuel needed to be added in place. The hanger removal allowed me to get my big hand in and press it on. (being an IS, getting the fuel gauge wires back on was easy)

[The emperor has no clothes]

I just put my tank back on yesterday, after having removed the carbs for the intake o-ring replacements.

It wasn't as easy a job as I thought, the wire harness was in the way too. Had to get the fuel line in the right place, then press it onto the petcock, next the vacuum line, and again press it onto the petcock. It was a Pain! Too tight to get my hand in, I removed the left side hanger to make some.

The vacuum line was long enough to put on before placing the tank, but the fuel needed to be added in place. The hanger removal allowed me to get my big hand in and press it on. (being an IS, getting the fuel gauge wires back on was easy)

It’s too late now. But in the future, you don’t need to remove your carbs to replace the o-rings.

[gordonv]

I just put my tank back on yesterday, after having removed the carbs for the intake o-ring replacements.

It’s too late now. But in the future, you don’t need to remove your carbs to replace the o-rings.

Yes, but it was the whole project I was doing, desmog and cruise control (and more). A bitch of a time with the throttle controls, and routing of everything I removed. I thought I knew this bike, but seems I don't, pic-pic-pic next time, and if I touch it, make note of it's routing.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I just put my tank back on yesterday, after having removed the carbs for the intake o-ring replacements.

It’s too late now. But in the future, you don’t need to remove your carbs to replace the o-rings.

Yes, but it was the whole project I was doing, desmog and cruise control (and more). A bitch of a time with the throttle controls, and routing of everything I removed. I thought I knew this bike, but seems I don't, pic-pic-pic next time, and if I touch it, make note of it's routing.