Fuel tank removal question

[wildthang1949]

Planning on pulling the tank tommorrow for the first time. Any particular procedures you guys use that have done this?

[X Ring]

Have you downloaded Kulow's Manual from Shoptalk?  If not click here and down load it.  http://www.valkyrieriders.com/ShopTalk/ValkMaintManAcrobatPDF.pdf  The instructions are in there along with the instructions for a majority of our maintenance items.

Marty

[Cattman]

Get a new section of gas line 2-3" longer than the stock one and some different clamps will allow lots more room for big hands to get the clamps off, Take our time and tilt the tank down to the left as sitting on the bike to clear the clutch line.

[sheets]

Invest in an assortment of those extra (overall length) long needle nose pliers with the tips shaped in various angles.  The tips made for gripping tubing are handy as well.  Remember to first disconnect the hand valve selector for the OEM petcock.  Patience is a virtue.   

[X Ring]

Invest in an assortment of those extra (overall length) long needle nose pliers with the tips shaped in various angles.  The tips made for gripping tubing are handy as well.  Remember to first disconnect the hand valve selector for the OEM petcock.  Patience is a virtue.   

Make sure you turn the petcock off first!

Marty

[D.Tater]

Get a new section of gas line 2-3" longer than the stock one and some different clamps will allow lots more room for big hands to get the clamps off,

What size is the fuel line?

Different clamps 

A std. hose clamp that you can get a screw stick on is easier than the ones where you need the pliers.

[BradValk48237]

Get the pliers.... I did not have when i took off, but made a huge difference to get back on. Also changed the clamp... but i did not think to add the longer hose.....

[sheets]

Probably goes without saying . . . but, go for a ride and use up the gas, or drain it out, to the last gallon.  Lifting 3 or 5 gallons of gas is not to handy when you're trying not to damage the tank when you've lifted it off the bike.   

[Thunderbolt]

assembly.  Take the screw out of the center first, then pull it outward off the petcock.  Take out the 8mm bolt that secures it to the framework and it will slip out of a rubber mounting.
If your bike is an Interstate, don't forget to unhook the wiring for the tank sender on disassembly and hook up on reassembly.  I forgot the first time to attach when reassembling and had to take it off again when gas gauge didn't work.

[Disco]

What size is the fuel line?

3/8 works great!  I replaced mine from the petcock to the tee and from the tee to the carburetor banks last night.   

Don't start the project unless/until you have some long needle-nose pliers, preferably with the 45-degree tips.  Seriously. 

[Larry]

What size is the fuel line?

3/8 works great!  I replaced mine from the petcock to the tee and from the tee to the carburetor banks last night.   

Don't start the project unless/until you have some long needle-nose pliers, preferably with the 45-degree tips.  Seriously. 

5/16" is stock, but like Dave said 3/8" slips off and on easy as long as you have good screw clamps to keep from leaking.

[Disco]

Maybe I got some of that "almost 5/16ths" before our December Wrench Party.      It could be forced onto top of the tee, but was so tight I blew off doing the runs to the carb banks.  Plus, it got so buggered up by the pliers when it was forced onto the petcock nipple I didn't trust the combination of abrasion and deformation.  3/8" + good hose clamps and everything felt right.  I'm about to take a test ride to make sure and will report back if there prove to be any problems.

[Disco]

Almost 350 miles this weekend and no fuel line problems to report.