yamaha gas tank

[chacoy]

how do I remove the gas tank of my 84 yamaha maxim550 without spilling the gas. It doesn't have an off position on the petcock. Pls. help..anybody..

[Gadjet]

If it doesn't have an 'off' position, then it is likely vaccuum operated (you need vaccuum from the engine to open the petcock and let fuel flow)

there should be two rubber hoses coming off the petcock, a large one going to the carburetor (the fuel line) and a smaller one going to a nipple on the front of the carb (the vaccuum line)

Leave the petcock in the 'run' or 'on' position, disconnect the vaccuum line and then disconnect the fuel line from the petcock. If your petcock is still working properly and not leaking, then you shouldn't spill more than a couple drops of fuel from out of the fuel line itself. Keep your other hand close to the petcock just in case though, so you can stick your finger over the end of the petcock to stop the flow of fuel.

then pull the tank off and set it aside somewhere that will keep the remaining fuel in it away from the petcock and fill neck - then you can pull the petcock off for disassembly/cleaning if it needs it.

make sure that all other bolts/fasteners/lines holding the tank down are disconnected before taking the fuel and vaccuum lines off.