Gas tank removal

[nighthawk700]

At some point I want to add some wiring harnesses (a fuse block, and some auxiliary lights to start off with...) I looked in the service manual for how to take off the fuel tank (so I can run the wires underneath). Most of it looks okay, but a bit of work. There are a few places they talk about adding a hose that's bent/tied off. Where would I find such a thing? Is it really as complicated as the manual makes it look?

Thanks.

[caddman11]

It all depends on the year--fuel pump (FI) are easier I think, just three hoses and wiring harnesses. The hoses on the right side are marked with blue and red already for you. The gas feed takes a little while to figure it out, squeeze the sides and slowly work it off; it's got a built in shut off valve. Make sure you have the plugs from the under the speedo cowl disconnected. ;) I found the hardest part is to get the bolt in front of the gas tank back in straight. :-/

[nighthawk700]

Whoops, it's a 2007. I need to work up a signature for my posts! I just spent about an hour putting on the Cobra Aux lights, time for some new pictures too. (would have been faster if I hooked the left turn signal to the left turn circuit the first time, instead of after I already closed everything up... D'OH!)

I didn't attach the Aux lights themselves yet... will wait until I get a harness and all, but had time to at least mount everything.

[macmac]

If the bike is all stock, with a 8mm socket wrench pull the 1 bolt at the rear seat, then the one bolt at the main seat.

With a 4mm allen wrench (socket mounted is nice) remove the 3 bolts in the nacell, and pull the nacell.

With a 10mm socket pull the 2 bolts at the speedo, and remove the 2 connectors from the mounts and each other. The tabs that hold them are harder to explain than just seeing them to un do.
pull the speedo and lay it some place UP RIGHT.

With a 12 mm socket un do the ft tank bolt, and the 2 rear tank bolts. On the right rear tank bolt is a metal and plastic covered tie wrap with your hose.

Look up where it is and pull it off.

Go to the far front right and look up and pull off a hose there too.

Go to the left side and lift the tank slightly. Locate the fuel line and with a finger and thumb pinch the gray tabs on the fuel line and willge and pill it off.

Prepare a place wih rags to place than tank, and go lift it off and put it there.

Notes: The first time you do these hoses when you go to place them back on add a drop of engine oil to each one, before you slip it on. That way it will slip off better next time.

The rear most drains gas if you over fill the system, the forward one drains rain water from the well at the filler cap.

Make a nice soft place for the tank, so the paint doesn't get mashed and also the insulation memeber under the tank isn't damaged.

This is a good time to fight the battery out if you have winter.

Once you get that stupid iron cross hold down off the battery, which is all screw ball crappolla, use 2 nylon ties to grab thr battery the first time. Then cut these off and add a nylon dog collar or something else like one. to the battery forever...

[dogdoc]

Helpful Hint: you DO NOT need to unplug the 2 electrical connectors at the front of the tank to remove the tank. just undo the 2 bolts holding speedo to tank and lay it off the right side and let it hang by all the wiring. Works fine.