Gas Tank Removal

I would like to take my carbs off and give them the once over. I am pretty new to the whole taking-the-bike-apart thing and I need some advice on how to remove the gas tank without making a huge mess and spilling gas all over my garage.

 

If your Fuel Petcock is in good working order ... the gas shouldn't run-out when you undo the line to the carbs.


Unbolt the tank from in front of the sear and lift it slightly.
Undo the supplu line going to the carbs.
Add a piece of hose with the end plugged-off to the petcock just to be safe.
Undo the smaller Vacuum Line and remember where it goes when you replace the tank.

Lift and slide the whole works back ans up out of the holders.

 

It really is just that easy, i've done it countless times. it's even easier than it sounds, you'll be fine.

 

Thanks a bunch guys!! I will give it a shot this evening and then move on to Rick's "Old School Method" of carb cleaning!!

 

Hey Charlie:

I wrote "Old School Method" using Hitachi's as the model for the narrative.

Your bike has Mikuni's. Don't get confused trying to match the test with what YOU will see. There are some subtle differences.

Don't panic!

 

Hey Rick, what types of differences are there? I'm kinda in the same boat with carb cleaning and if there are any glaring differences I'd be happy to hear them!! :lol:

 

Mikuni Pilot Jets are small, elongated, 22-Long cartridge looking-like Jets that live at the bottom of a chimney.

Mikuni Emulsion Tubes are "Slotted" and designed to fit over the Main Jet just one way, with an additional metering ports to clean-out.

The Air Jets passages are drilled so that the Pilot Mixture Air Inlet and Main Air Jet supply to the void surrounding the Emulsion Tubes don't make right angles like they do on the Hi-Tot's.

Enrichment Valves are Side Mounted and have a "Pin type" Valve end and a rubber shut-off seat.

Mikuni is also a shameless merchandiser because they've been the choice of racing teams forever.

 

Thanks yet again Rick.....your knowlege is vast. Only in dreams can I hope to attain your Jedi status in XJ's!! :wink:

 

Rick.

Are you sure about Mikuni's on an 85' XJ700 (I'm assuming it's an
XJ 700n), mine is definately wearing Hitachi's.

Mick Faighaigh.

 

Mick,
I'm kind of thinking mine are the Hitachi's as well. Although I haven't had a chance to tear into them yet they look an awfully lot like the one in the pics in this post http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=3633.html. Take a look and let me know what you think!

 

the '85 and '86 XJ700N has Hitachi carbs, not Mikuni.

 

ok, quick question.
what if your fuel petcock isn't in proper working order?
my gas comes shooting out when I pull the hose off...

 

I don't know for sure.

The set I'm working-on right-now are of an '86 Max-X ... and they are Mikuni's.

 

X models came with Mikunis, N&S models got the Hitachis.