Okay, I feel really stupid for asking this, but what is the procedure for tank removal without a gas spill? Sometimes I get it off without a hitch, and other times, like this weekend, I get gas everywhere. Does it matter what order the lines come off?

 

Close the petcock valve and plug the lines leading to the carbs (lift them upwards as soon as they come off to prevent them emptying themselves) and you shouldn't have any spillage.

 

Petcock valve? There is no valve, it's just the vacuum tube, right? I thought that I by getting that off first I would prevent spillage, but no ... I'm getting gas out of the tank.

 

at the very back of the tank (close to the bolt that secures it to the frame), there is a semi-circular steel wheel with a square protrusion, this is the petcock valve. You turn it to the extreme opposite end (forget if it`s CW or CCW) and this will shut the valve.

I think your problem has just been found.....

 

yep

8mm wrench i beleive and don't forget to turn it back on after reattaching the fuel lines

 

Great! Thanks guys.

 

after shutting off the valve fire up the bike & run it 'til it dies... that will clear the fuel in the lines ( and bowls ).

note: if your petcock is in good condition, manually turning the valve off is NOT required. pull the petcock vacuum line & run the bike 'til it dies.

tim