How To Remove a Motorcycle Gas Tank

A necessary step for many motorcycle repairs.

T_Marko

t_marko/

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›

When attempting to resolve a fuel issue on a car, removing the gas tank is looked at as a last resort. It's not altogether difficult, but it's an annoyance that takes ages. Its location, usually underneath the rear seats and/or trunk, complicates the service process and demands plentiful patience and, sometimes, circus-like contortion. Award a point for motorcycles, then, because a motorcycle gas tank essentially sits on top of everything and is fairly easy to remove.

There are numerous reasons somebody would need to, or want to, remove the gas tank from a motorcycle. It could be that the bike needs a complete cleaning, a hard-to-access part of the engine might need servicing, the tank itself could need refurbishing, or it might need to be replaced altogether. Regardless of the end goal, if it requires removing the gas tank, there are safety concerns and proper steps to know and take.

With riding season gracing much of the United States, the Guides & Gear editors at The Drive want to make sure that not only is your car in good shape, but that your motorcycle is ready to go, as well. Grab the service manual for your specific bike and follow along below, as we discuss what you need to know to remove your motorcycle's gas tank.

Estimated Time Needed: 1-2 Hours

Skill Level : Beginner

Vehicle System : Fuel

Working on your motorcycle can be dangerous and messy, so here's exactly what you’ll need to ensure you don't die, get maimed, or lose a finger, and that you keep your jeans, shirt, and skin spotless—hopefully.

We’re not psychic, nor are we snooping through your toolbox or garage, so here's exactly what you’ll need to get the job done.

Organizing your tools and gear so everything is easily reachable will save precious minutes waiting for your handy-dandy child or four-legged helper to bring you whatever's required. You’ll also need a flat workspace, such as a garage floor, driveway, or street parking that's also well-ventilated. Check your local laws to make sure you’re not violating any codes when using the street because we aren't getting your ride out of the clink.

The steps detailed below are a general guide for removing a motorcycle's gas tank. However, each motorcycle is slightly different and might require different steps or will have parts in different positions. Be sure to have a service manual for your specific motorcycle ready, because you’ll need it for any tricks or steps that only apply to your bike. Let's do this!

Congrats, now you can get to the real reason you needed to remove the tank.

The process described above is for a motorcycle with a modern electronic fuel injection (EFI) system. On older motorcycles, you will be dealing with a slightly different setup. Look out for a fuel petcock that you might need to remove or disconnect, look for connections to the carburetor, and look out for fuel tubes that connect both sides of the tank for fuel balance.

You’ve got questions, The Drive has answers!

A. It's possible, but it will likely be more difficult and you have a higher risk of spilling gas everywhere. You’ll need to make sure all of your hoses, connections, and output holes are plugged.

A. The easiest and quickest way to tell if gas is bad is a visual inspection. When new and fresh, gas should be slightly yellowish or clear. When gas sits for extended periods of time, it starts to break down and degrade, which turns it to a darker tinted yellow, brown, or blackish color. You might also see that the gas turns hazy, has dirt particles in it, starts to separate, or starts to thicken up.

New gas is clear or slightly yellow. If your gas is a darker yellow, brown-tinted, or black-tinted, it needs to be replaced. Other signs of bad gas include haziness, dark particles and other dirt, noticeable liquid separation, or a higher viscosity. You can read more about it in our handy guide on how long gas lasts.

A. Absolutely not. Dumping gas on the ground is bad for the environment and bad for humans, so you need to take it to a proper gasoline dump station. For more information, check out our guide on how to dispose of old gas.

To better understand the process of removing the gas tank from a motorcycle, check out this video tutorial that shows the steps on a Harley-Davidson.

We’re here to be expert guides in everything How To related. Use us, compliment us, yell at us. Comment below, and let's talk! You can also shout at us on Twitter or Instagram, or reach us all here: [email protected]