I need to raise my gas tank. Help please?

[aviation1972]

The 2013 Touring Rocket has its speedo embedded on top of its gas tank. The ignition switch is encased in a steel housing, and there are moldings and plastic fairings along the sides of the gas tank, up at the very front of the topside of the bike. The Roadsters are much more accessible. Speedos are independently mounted, side-by-side with tachs. Ignition switches are mounted independently also. Sitting by themselves. So, if you need to raise a Roadster's gas tank? No problem. Access granted. Well, I own a 2013 Tourer, and I need to raise my gas tank, so I can remove my OEM air intake, and replace it with K&N RU-2780's. I don't want to fool around with my ignition switch, my speedo, or anything else ( Really ). I just want to raise my gas tank, so I can work beneath it. Can someone who has done this before, give me a walkthrough, please? I really need help on this. Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

 

[Bob R]

You may as well start by removing your bearclaw, there is a single 10mm bolt that secures it at the front. Once the bolt is out pull it forward a little bit to pull two pins out of their respective holes and it will come free.

You will need to pull your instrument panel. There are 3 hex head bolts that hold it in place. Remove the bolts and carefully lift the panel, there is a single plug underneath that needs to be disconnected. Once that is done the panel can be lifted away and stored. While it is off you can use some tape on the backside of the panel to secure your rubber strip or else it is kind of a pain to get back on.

Once the panel is removed there will be two hex head bolts on either side of the steering head, remove them carefully so you don't lose the washer into the depths of the engine.

Once those are out lift the tank a little bit, on the right hand side of the engine barely under the tank is a steel rod, pull that from the clips and hold onto it. Now lift the front of the tank (it will tilt up) and place the rod in your other hand in the holes on the frame and the tank to hold it up.

I can't recall if I was able to get all of the OEM plumbing out of there without completely removing the tank or not. If you do need to remove the tank it isn't that hard. Along with the stuff already covered is a bolt on the back of the tank that once removed you can lift your tank and pull the hoses. Mark them so you can get them back where they belong and you will be good to go.

It sounds a lot harder than it actually is.

ETA: You won't need to touch your ignition switch, the instrument cluster slides off of it.

bob

 

[Fingers]

As Bob R said it's fairly easy and the tank does not have to come off.Some of the clamps are a pita to get loose longer ball-end hex wrench makes it a bit easier.

 

[scot in exile]

Sorry not familiar with the touring model but an expert with the roadster or standard models

 

[Wannbe]

I hardly ever have problems taking it apart, but putting it back together. .. That is a different subject.

 

[Bedifferent]

Good instructions here....If you are going to remove the tank, you may want to get another banjo washer for where the fuel line connects to the tank. I bought a couple extras for mine, but haven't remove the tank yet to replace the fuel filter as part of the routine maintenance. Of course, if you siphon most of the the gas from the tank that would also be helpful. I tape my rubber strip down with some electrical tape before I remove the speedometer panel.

 

[scot in exile]

I have never had a problem with re-using the banjo washer just torque it to the correct setting.

 

[aviation1972]

Thanks Bob, Fingers, Bedifferent, Wannbe, and Scot... I feel a little more comfortable now about the tasks that lie ahead. A lot of helpful "tips" in all that. Guess I need to buy my K&N RU-2780's now. Or, I'll have no reason to lift the gas tank up. If you guys would like to give me more info on the problems I may face putting everything back together again, I'd like to hear those "tips" also. And I'm still trying to decide, how to modify my bear claw, once I put the 3 small, individual, air filters under it. I've seen some pretty impressive metal work. Almost art. Not sure I could make those flowing cuts along those lines, but I am going to want to open up my bear claw a little. I know that already. Thanks again, guys... Russell

 

[barbagris]

One tiny bit of advice. If you´re lifting the tank on the sidestand - go for a long ride first so it´s near empty. Otherwise the bugger wobbles about on that little support rod. Also it will be a **** sight less heavy.

 

[aviation1972]

Thanks barbagris. Great advice. I'll take it... Russell