Tank Fun

[tommymck]

Sorry guys, last one from yt explains all; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h28OQoUmHwY

Interesting video, but evidently there are lots of variations on the theme.

So, I was successful for the most part. I couldn't figure out how to re-install the white plastic clip with the line still connected. But once I figured out that it pulled a pair of tabs on the connector out (instead of in) I managed to use it as a tool to move the two tabs out enough to remove the line. Took 45 minutes to do it. Maybe just my lack of finesse, but in order to expose both tabs, I needed to lower the tank enough that I could rotate the line so that I could get at both tabs at the same time. Very little room to work with. Gentle persistence always seems to pay off though, and I eventually managed it. Assuming that the manual for the '17 has this procedure in it, it'd have saved a ton of time.

The interesting thing (and what keeps this from being a complete success) is that once I removed the tank, I still couldn't figure out how to re-install the clip on to the connector. I had plenty of room at that point to work with it. Still and all, 10 minutes of playing with it didn't yield anything and I was just plain impatient to move forward....thinking that so long as I save the clip, I can always repeat what I did again. After I made the command decision to forget about the white clip, it was 15 minutes at most before I had the new tank on.

Other notes......

1. The overflow nipple on the KB tank is slightly shorter than on the stock tank. Samurider includes a separate drain line to use, but with a little work, the stock drain tube does in fact connect.

2. Fuel gauge reads empty at empty and full at full. Remains to be seen if it reads empty before it's actually empty. The rather cryptic instructions talks about placement of the float, but really there is just one way to install the fuel pump assembly. Seems to work fine.

3. The stock seat is a PITA to install now. I might explore other seat options from Samurider that work better with the tank, but I'm probably the only person on this forum who finds the stock seat perfect. Perfect height, perfect comfort, perfect everything. The issue is that WhiteHouse tank doesn't leave as much room at the front of the seat. You really have to fiddle with it and scrunch the seat forward with some elbow grease to get it to work. I'm going to have to work something out though because unless the seat sort of adjusts itself, there is a bit of a scrunch in the front that bugs me visually.

4. I opted to get the vintage fuel cap. I wasn't sure what to expect, but figured that I'd likely use my existing cap. I love the vintage one though. Also love that I don't need to use the key. Press a tab and presto. Cap swivels up.

5. The tank comes with matching side covers. To be honest, I wasn't a big fan based on what I saw in pictures. I felt obligated to install them though to see what they looked like, but I figured that I'd stick with the stock panels. Nop. In person, I like the matching covers better. Installed, they "seem" like they'd rattle since there is a little play based on how the cover tabs fit with the bike. Not an issue at all while riding though. I'm keeping them.

Remains to be seen if I did something stupid. Haven't put enough miles on it yet (only 20 or so) to see if I've kinked a vent line. Don't smell any leaks, so I think that the seal at the fuel pump is A OK.

The last comment has to do with the looks. I really dig it. It really shouldn't matter, but it really changes the way that the bike feels while riding it. By the way, I still love the stock look. It appeals to me in a different way, and I'll likely swap back and forth.

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