Two questions

[Jared]

I'm going to be painting my bike this winter and right now I'm taking everything apart.

First question: I have removed the tank, and siphoned it as much gas as I can, but there is still a cup or two of gas in it. How do I drain it completely dry? I haven't removed the pump yet or the wire that go with it yet. Will I be able to drain where the fuel pump mounts?

Second question: I'm having a hard time separating the saddle bag doors inside plastic from the outside, and removing the chrome handle. Is there some secret to this that I ought to know?

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Utah Motorcyclist

I'm going to be painting my bike this winter and right now I'm taking everything apart.

First question: I have removed the tank, and siphoned it as much gas as I can, but there is still a cup or two of gas in it. How do I drain it completely dry? I haven't removed the pump yet or the wire that go with it yet. Will I be able to drain where the fuel pump mounts?

Second question: I'm having a hard time separating the saddle bag doors inside plastic from the outside, and removing the chrome handle. Is there some secret to this that I ought to know?

First: I figure that once you remove the fuel pump, you should be able to pour any residual fuel out the opening.

Second: Somebody else tried this, and I can't remember what they did. I just know it isn't easy to do. I've never had mine apart, but perhaps someone who has will chime in here.

[Top Cat]

The professional painter I had paint my bike took the handles off the bags and said he will never do it again. Tiny springs went flying. Sooooooo, if you take them apart, wear safty glasses and do it in a wide open space where you can find the parts after they hit the floor. ;)

[bobhamlin]

1) Gas: Before I got my bike painted, I took the tank off and removed every attachment. I also could not drain all of the gas. I took it out to the driveway and shook it every which way and could not remove it all. Finally, I ended up letting it evaporate.

2) Saddlebags: 4 screws seem to hold the liner to the bag. The liner is glued to the bag and those 4 screws held the liner while the glue set. They now have no purpose.

You remove the 5 screws up near the handle, then pry that covering off (There are 4 tabs). There's not a lot of room. If you have big hands, it's a thrill. If you are taking both bags apart, take pictures of the dismantling process.

Good luck.

[VulcanE]

I'm sure after you remove the fuel pump, and fill cap, you'll be able to get the rest of the fuel out.
On the saddlebag handle. I've replaced one. ONLY the little piece of plastic on the inside covering the handle is removable. The whole plastic cover on the inside of the door IS NOT removable. To remove the handle, remove the plastic cover for it on the inside (4 screws I think) then take a small flathead screwdriver and pry it out. There is 4 locking tabs that hold it in place, pry the tabs toward the inside. After you get the cover off, take a picture of how it is mounted showing the position of the springs and spacer collars (going to be a little while till you reassemble). Remove one "E" clip on the pivot pin, and slide it out. As the end goes past a spring be careful (also note which direction the spring tabs are). Continue till you have the pin out. Should be, in order on the pin. "E" clip, spacer, pivot point of handle, spring, spacer, pivot point of handle, what the whole handle pivots on, pivot point of handle,spacer, spring, pivot point of handle, spacer, then the "E" clip on the other end.
I hope this is as clear as mud , but once your looking at it, it'll make sense. ;)

[glwilson]

When I replaced a severely scratched bag-handle I said to myself... if I ever have to do this again I was just going to trash the whole bag and buy a new one with the handle already attached.

Take your time, and pay attention as to how you take the handle apart as it was quite a puzzle getting it back together again. But know... it does come apart.

[Jared]

All these horror stories about the handle......maybe I'll tape it....

[ringadingh]

Originally Posted by Utah Motorcyclist

All these horror stories about the handle......maybe I'll tape it....

I think thats a wise idea. ;)

[jesse]

Its not as hard as it sounds, VulcanE instructions sound very familiar. Just pay attention and if it is going to be awhile before you put it back, yes, take pictures.

[bobhamlin]

Originally Posted by glwilson

When I replaced a severely scratched bag-handle I said to myself... if I ever have to do this again I was just going to trash the whole bag and buy a new one with the handle already attached.

Up until you saw how much you were going to have to pay, that is. Arm and a leg. Arm and a leg.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Utah, if you still can't get all the gas out of the tank you could drill a small hole in the bottom of the tank and the rest of the gas should drain out. Just be careful and don't cause a spark as this could cause the gas to explode. You don't want that to happen as you wouldn't have to worry about anything after that.


Hey, just kidding. Good luck on getting the handle off unless you decide to tape it. If you take it off let me know how it went.

Gene

[phenrichs]

Originally Posted by Utah Motorcyclist

All these horror stories about the handle......maybe I'll tape it....

What color are you painting the bag? Perhaps paint the handle to some sort of accent color? Like an off color pinstripe.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by bobhamlin

Up until you saw how much you were going to have to pay, that is. Arm and a leg. Arm and a leg.

Ha! You're right. At a $1,000 per bag... I worked really hard and long to get that new handle back on!!