Removing the petrol tank without damaging paintwork how ?

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

My Petrol tank has been removed several time by me & the PO the tongue seems to have the paint chipped/scratched  in the process.

Is there a safe way to pull back the rear rubber retaining strap to avoid damaging the paint or ripping the strap ?

Fortunately I have not had the tank repainted (yet) so not an issue probably the thick re-paint it partly to blame. 

How do members here remove the tank without causing paint damage?

[Nurse Julie]

I always slip a wide cable tie through the rubber pad and do it up. It acts as a handle. This allows you to pull on the cable tie and the rubber bit will slip over the tongue on the tank. Leave the cable tie in situ, the seat closes fine with it still in place.

[Johnny4428]

Also Ted what state is the rubber tank mount? Is it nice and flexible.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Also Ted what state is the rubber tank mount? Is it nice and flexible.

It's a new one so it's quite hard to pull back as it has plenty of elasticity.

[Johnny4428]

Assuming the tank is fully mounted on front rubbers as well, maybe just a little rubber grease to help.

[Rozabikes Tim]

Silicone spray??

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Assuming the tank is fully mounted on front rubbers as well, maybe just a little rubber grease to help.

Yes I put a little red rubber grease on the front rubbers - a bit of wiggle helps with getting the tank fully forwards. The cable tie idea by NJ will definitely help. I removed the seat & tank yesterday afternoon to improve access to the coils for fitting a couple of new leads.

[Johnny4428]

Assuming the tank is fully mounted on front rubbers as well, maybe just a little rubber grease to help.

Yes I put a little red rubber grease on the front rubbers - a bit of wiggle helps with getting the tank fully forwards. The cable tie idea by NJ will definitely help. I removed the seat & tank yesterday afternoon to improve access to the coils for fitting a couple of new leads.

That’s fine Ted. I’m sure you won’t be stupid enough to make the same mistake I made when trimming the new leads to length after the coils had been sealed. Ooops! Like the saying goes “measure twice cut once”

[Oddjob]

After doing the Ash mod on my coils I used a 1 metre length of HT lead for each coil, didn't cut it, just left it in a loop until I comes time to fit it, then I'll leave a little extra on it for trimming purposes later and will route them over the top of the engine and not leave them hanging in the air over the front of the exhausts. I have already bought HT clips so that they are secure over the engine and will not move. It just looks so much tidier that way. Plus my coils face backwards so that also helps.