Draining the fuel tank

[bloodline]

What's the easiest way?

And before someone says it, I know, ride it and the gas goes away.

I need to know the easiest way to drain all the fuel and what tools are required. Shipping the bike home from a long trip and the shipper wants the fuel out.

 

[stevepsd]

Siphon it out. Put it on the sidestand and with the flat bottom of the tank you can get out almost every drop. Auto parts stores sell them, they usually have a squeeze bulb and clear hose on both ends. Or do it like we used to do with just a piece of hose and end up with a god-awful taste of gasoline in your mouth!

http://www.amazon.com/Emergency-Siphon-Bulb-Pump-Gasoline/dp/B003NY1WF2/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&qid=1338989775&sr=8-22

 

[jajpko]

What's the easiest way?

And before someone says it, I know, ride it and the gas goes away.

I need to know the easiest way to drain all the fuel and what tools are required. Shipping the bike home from a long trip and the shipper wants the fuel out.

I've had to siphon mine a few times, and that works ok, but will still leave some in the bottom. Not a lot, and the shipper may be ok with that.
If you have to take the tank off, you will need a 12mm socket or wrench and a 5mm hex wrench. Also a 4mm hex wrench to take the side covers off.
I can't remember what else you will need, maybe a screwdriver to help remove the wire plugs and a pair of pliers. I'll go check mine to be sure.

 

[Don in Lodi]

Always found that strange, a full tank is less explosive than an empty one.

 

[bloodline]

Always found that strange, a full tank is less explosive than an empty one.

no kidding. I'm not sure if they will really make me drain it. We'll see. Just want to be prepared.

 

[Spider]

That bulb siphon from Amazon is pretty handy on a trip. I've used mine to share some gas from the Super T and it works fine. I was trying to drain my tank recently (just for farkling purposes) and I wasn't able to get the hose to the low spot in the tank. I could tell there was a good bit of gas left in there.

So I picked up the pricey but cool "Cranky Pump" from Aerostich. The tubing is thinner and a little more flexible than the bulb siphon from Amazon. And it will keep pumping gas even when it's sucking up a lot of air. I used it the other day to drain the tank and got two gallons out that the bulb siphon couldn't reach (and I was down to like one bar on the gas guage, what's up with that).

G

 

[stevepsd]

Putting a bit of safety wire up in the tubing wil allow you to shape the hose, and have it keep its shape, to get into whatever area you need.

 

[jajpko]

I use a marine tank bulb from Wally World and clear gas line. It is more flexible than regular black line. After you get out what you can with the tank in the regular position, tilt the tank up and take the rest out.
The smaller the gas line the more gas you will get out, because it is easier to move the hose to the bottom of the tank. At least that is what works for me.. ::025::