Anyone mind explaining in some depth how to drain the fuel tank?

[//ACCIDENT]

Anyone mind explaining in some depth how to drain the fuel tank?  I want to drain the gas on my bike to put new gas in, just in case.

[Jake D]

Anyone mind explaining in some depth how to drain the fuel tank?  I want to drain the gas on my bike to put new gas in, just in case.

Unbolt the tank bolts.  Lift the tank up just a little.  Reach under the tank with a screwdriver (flat head) and turn the petcock attached to the bottom of the tank 90 degrees to shut off the flow of fuel.  Detach the supply line and the reserve lines from the shut off valve.  Remember their placement.  Perhaps mark them with masking tape, if you don't have a manual.  Then lift the back of the tank up a little and the front should slide back and up.  Back first, then up and the tank will be free from the bike.  Take a gas can and run both of the fuel lines into it and open the petcock.  Tank will drain.

If you follow these steps carefully, your tank will be both off of your bike and empty of fuel.  The tank bolts referred to above are below and behind the tank on the outside of the frame.  They are normally covered by the plastics.  They are, I believe, 8mm x 1.25 x 40 mm bolts. 

[NightRyder]

Woah. That was in depth. Nice. 

Although, I think //ACCIDENT just wanted to drain, not remove, the tank. If he just wants to change the gas, I would just take a tube off the petcock, and empty the gas into a gas can. Then fill it back up. If you are crazy, maybe do it again.

[starwalt]

You could also leave the tank on and use a $2 siphon hand bulb/pump.

With the bike on the side stand, put the sucking end into the left side "crap pocket" and start pumping it out into an "approved gasoline container" or the gasoline police will scold you.

Mind you, the right side "crap pocket" will still have a small amount of fuel in it. You have to remove the tank from the bike to totally remove all fuel from the tank...IF that is your goal. It is an irritating experience.

The GS tank designer was probably thinking he could get  a few more miles from the capacity in those pockets. The problem is that they are below the fuel pick up. All kinds of crap ends up there and usually contributes to "Crap Pocket Rot" due to rust.

There. You have several options now. 

[Mandres]

Starwalt, what exactly do ppl mean when they refer to the crap pockets? 

[mjm]

The low points in the tank where all the crap settles - water, dirt etc.  Where the rust starts.

[//ACCIDENT]

Sounds like the tank has a stupid design.  I wish there was an easy way to flush it out to get any water or dirt out of there.  Looks like I have a project on my hands.   Thanks for the repy's.

[starwalt]

Starwalt, what exactly do ppl mean when they refer to the crap pockets? 

mjm said it well, but a picture is worth more so...(click to enlarge)


The pockets are more decorative than useful. Well I guess they are useful to Suzuki because they probably sold a lot of tanks due to rust rot. 

[Jake D]

Sounds like the tank has a stupid design.  I wish there was an easy way to flush it out to get any water or dirt out of there.  Looks like I have a project on my hands.   Thanks for the repy's.

Accident, if you follow the steps I described, it will take you like 10 minutes start to finish.  Not a big deal at all.  Good luck.  It is a good way to make sure you get all the old fuel out. 

[solarpulse]

drive it...

[Cal Amari]

^Nope, that won't drain the crap pockets; as has been mentioned, the crap pockets hold fuel, water, crud, crap, and whatever else BELOW the level of the fuel pickup, so simply riding the motorcycle won't help solve the problems. Removing and flushing the tank is the best way to clear the crap pockets...

[tussey]

I love these boards!  I had this very question. I've been filling my newly purchased use 89 gs500e with 87 octane and was thinking switching to 93 would help it's performance, but I didn't want to mix different octanes.

P.S. What octane does everyone use?

[Cal Amari]

Use the lowest octane that will prevent pinging when you accelerate; I use cheap gas, but I add carb cleaner / fuel injector cleaner / octane booster / Sta-bil fairly regularly, to help keep my carbs clean when I'm away on business. I've also been known to add a few ounces of rubbing alcohol to the fuel on occasion, to help deal with condensation buildup. My gas tank is clean and rust-free, and it will stay that way...

[Mandres]

switching to higher octane gas won't do anything for performance.  The only reason to do so is if you're experiencing pre-ignition (pinging or knocking) in the combustion chamber.  If this is happening on your GS you have other problems not related to the fuel octane.  This engine is designed to run on regular.

-M