Alright, let’s talk about that Ninja 650 gas tank. I messed with it last weekend, and I figured I’d share the experience. It wasn’t exactly smooth sailing, but hey, that’s wrenching for ya.
First things first, I decided to remove the tank to get better access to some stuff underneath. I started by making sure the bike was off and had cooled down – you don’t want any fuel vapors hanging around hot engine parts. Safety first, right?
Then, I disconnected the fuel line. This is always a bit tricky. I used some pliers to carefully pinch the fuel line clamp and slide it back. Be ready with a rag because a little bit of fuel is gonna spill no matter what you do. I had a small container ready to catch the drips.
Next up, I unplugged the fuel pump connector. It’s usually pretty easy to spot – just a little electrical connector near the fuel line. Give it a gentle wiggle and pull, and it should pop right off.
After that, I removed the bolts holding the tank in place. On my Ninja 650, there are two at the back near the seat and one up front by the steering head. I grabbed the right size socket wrench and got to work. Make sure you don’t lose those bolts! I always put them in a safe spot so I don’t have to go searching for them later.
Now comes the fun part: lifting the tank. I carefully lifted the back of the tank first, making sure to clear the frame. Then, I wiggled it forward and up, being careful not to scratch the paint. Having a buddy help you lift it off can be a lifesaver here, especially if the tank is full of gas. Mine wasn’t, thankfully!
With the tank off, I could finally get to the stuff I needed to work on. Once I was done tinkering, it was time to put the tank back on. The process is basically the reverse of taking it off. Just be extra careful not to pinch any wires or fuel lines when you’re setting the tank back down.
Reconnecting everything was the next step. I plugged the fuel pump connector back in, reattached the fuel line (making sure the clamp was secure), and then bolted the tank back down.
Finally, I turned the bike on and checked for any fuel leaks. I let it run for a few minutes and kept an eye on everything. No leaks? Awesome! Job done.
All in all, messing with the gas tank wasn’t too bad. Just take your time, be careful, and double-check everything before you fire up the engine. And don’t forget to have some rags handy – you’ll need ’em!
