4th generation fuel tank removal

I searched the site for a service manual for my 97 and when I downloaded it, it's for 90-96...trying to get the friggin gas tank off so I can check the condition of the air filter. they may as well have put it inside the forks, jeez. I have the rear tank bolt off and can't coax the tank off. Are there more well hiddin bolts, hooks? The 96 manual shows hooks but I can't get the thing to more than wiggle a tiny bit.

 

I used to have a 4th...IIRC you remove fuel and vent lines, rear bolt, then pull and wiggle towards the rear and slightly up to release the rubber cushions from the two sides of the frame at the front. Don't lift straight up

 

thanks I wil give that a try. Anyone know if the manual I downloaded for 90-96 is actually for 97 models as well?

 

the tank is not budging. I have the fuel selector off, both hoses off, and I have tried to pull back, up, etc. what fun.

 

ok, here is what your problem is... under the back side of the tank there is a bolt that goes through 2 eyes (under your dingus). There is a metal tube that "bridges" those eyes that sometimes slides to one side or the other. after you take the bolt out, reach in the hole with something to wiggle the tube back into the centered position (there is only about 1-2mm of slop when properly centered). Tank will come off immediately

 

ok that makes sense. I will give that a try after I get done making chicken tortilla soup (not in the powdercoating oven). It's hard to concentrate on the subject matter with your avatar searing my brain. thanks for the help.

 

hey I read your info. The guy I purchased the VFR from let me ride his 999 Testracorsa Final Edition. That was so cool, and he had a great story with it. The original owner purchased the bike for her boyfriend, who cheated on her, and she took the bike back and sold it for far less than it was worth to spite him (and herself, as it seems).

 

cool, it's a Testastretta (narrow head) 998 Final Edition. bike was as reliable as a crack head with $50

 

hey that tip worked, got the tank off, found a K and N in the housing. not sure if I am happy or sad...gotta get a cleaner kit today. I drained the tank and found a bit of sediment so I carefully cleaned it out. Now i need a fuel filter. I guess it was good I got in there. With all the fairings this bike seems like a sealed unit. Not like other bikes where you can see much more of the moving parts. Makes it a bit easier to ignore. But this bike has been so reliable until recently. Now I have an intermittent failure to start problem. I guess I have to break out the multimeter and see if it's the ignition, neutral cutoff, or kill switch that is the culprit. I assume the neutral switch is buriied in the tranny somewhere?

thanks for your help.

 

no idea where that switch is, but I will look at the kickstand switch, starter solenoid/relay and the handlebar switch first.