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07-25-2008, 2:24 PM Flash Joined on 03-29-2007 Posts 36 Drain Gas Tank Before Removing? Okay... I'm going to take the carbs out of my bike (1980 CX500 with GL500 engine) tomorrow to replace the rubber diaphram, o-ring, new spring etc. Do I need to siphon out the gas in the tank before I remove it? Also... I can see a black thin rubber tube from the bottom of the left carb. Is this the drain tube I need to use to drain the float bowls? Is this the same tube that ends near the back tire? Thank you for your help.    Report

07-25-2008, 2:27 PM gamache Joined on 06-18-2008 Cambridge, MA Posts 105 Re: Drain Gas Tank Before Removing? You should be fine just turning the petcock to Off and disconnecting the tank.  There will be some drainage from the fuel line but once that stops, you're golden. Pete from Boston 1979 CX500 Custom WTB: Deluxe tank, engine bars.    Report

07-25-2008, 2:54 PM Flash Joined on 03-29-2007 Posts 36 Re: Drain Gas Tank Before Removing? Thank you for the info. Gamache!    Report

07-25-2008, 4:19 PM Anonymous Re: Drain Gas Tank Before Removing? Flash, Make sure you have a smoke going before you remove the tank, that way you will be able to tell if you spill any gas. Next, (if you haven't spilled any gas) just grab those carbs with a huge set of channel-lock pliers and rip those suckers out of there. Don't worry about damaging anything at this time, there will be plenty of time for that later. The only other tools you'll need for the fine tuning work is a good Craftsman hammer and some vise grips. Let us all know how this all works out for you.

07-25-2008, 6:40 PM Flash Joined on 03-29-2007 Posts 36 Re: Drain Gas Tank Before Removing? You made me laugh tonight... but I'll be crying and swearing tomorrow most likely when I start this project.    Report

07-25-2008, 6:48 PM Blindstitch2002 Joined on 05-16-2007 Greenfield Wisconsin Posts 1,590 Re: Drain Gas Tank Before Removing? http://www.elsham.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/cx500/carbs_out/ You will be swearing a lot less if you take it slow.  Really not that hard to do, Yet can be a pain in the ass. 1979 Honda Cx500 Custom    Report

07-25-2008, 7:01 PM Blindstitch2002 Joined on 05-16-2007 Greenfield Wisconsin Posts 1,590 Re: Drain Gas Tank Before Removing? Don't ever drain the gas tank unless you really have to. It sucks. I had to do it 4 times this week due to a faulty petcock. Wouldn't let any gas out until it was all over my hands and dripping on the ground. 1979 Honda Cx500 Custom    Report

07-25-2008, 7:26 PM dbarale Joined on 06-10-2008 Asheville, NC Posts 164 Re: Drain Gas Tank Before Removing? Flash, this is not going to help but is that a case on the back of your bike? I cannot see well in the avatar picture but this thing looks huge!    Report

07-26-2008, 5:51 AM Flash Joined on 03-29-2007 Posts 36 Re: Drain Gas Tank Before Removing? Yes, that huge trunk is my addition for groceries, my work, laptop, can fit a case of beer, gym clothes or whatever (not at the same time mind you). I looked on ebay for a trunk and they wanted way too much $. I went to the local Army/Navy store and bought this rugged plastic foot locker for $30. Two stainless U-bolts on my existing luggage rack and I'm in business. Everyone who sees it thinks it will make my bike top heavy, but I only ride as a single so it's not bad at all. Very useful!    Report

07-26-2008, 5:55 AM Flash Joined on 03-29-2007 Posts 36 Re: Drain Gas Tank Before Removing? I use it a lot for my tool kit, holds my bike cover, zip out liner for m-jacket, and my helmet and jacket when I go shopping etc. I have a three digit cheap lock on it to deter thieves.    Report

07-26-2008, 2:55 PM dozer1 Joined on 05-26-2007 Frederick, Maryland Posts 485 Re: Drain Gas Tank Before Removing? I love my topcase too, makes the bike ugly but its useful as hell. A lock wont deter anyone that plans on stealing your shit, my advice is dont leave anything valuable in there unless your watching ;) 1980 CX500 "Stella" Dozer1 AKA Snowplow    Report

07-26-2008, 6:01 PM dbarale Joined on 06-10-2008 Asheville, NC Posts 164 Re: Drain Gas Tank Before Removing? If you only ride solo have you ever thought about moving it forward so it doubles up as a back rest?    Report

07-26-2008, 8:10 PM Flash Joined on 03-29-2007 Posts 36 Re: Drain Gas Tank Before Removing? Good idea... no, I haven't thought about it. Maybe I'll try it. Thanks.    Report

07-26-2008, 8:21 PM Flash Joined on 03-29-2007 Posts 36 Re: Drain Gas Tank Before Removing? Update: I ripped the bike apart today. One of the bolts on the intake boot is rounded off and I can't get it off. Any suggestions or special tools? Also, removing the throttle cables and choke look very complicated. How do they come off? Thanks.    Report

07-26-2008, 8:38 PM Blindstitch2002 Joined on 05-16-2007 Greenfield Wisconsin Posts 1,590 Re: Drain Gas Tank Before Removing? If you can get a super small vise grip in there or needle nose vise grips they might work. Removing the throttle cables is easy. If you look the three cables meet at a bracket. If you twist the carbs to the left you will notice that there is a screw on the lower left side. Take the choke cable off first. gets it out of the way quick. Then remove the screw holding the bracket on. Take the forward most cable off first. There should be more than enough slack. Then take the other cable off. 1979 Honda Cx500 Custom    Report

07-28-2008, 7:32 AM Flash Joined on 03-29-2007 Posts 36 Re: Drain Gas Tank Before Removing? You are the man Blindstitch2002! I used PB Nutblaster, vice grips, punch and hammer to shock and got it off. I replaced the bolt with a new one, and I'm going to do the carbs this week. Thanks for all of your good advice! I hope to get the cables off with no problems- I WILL label them to make sure I don't &%^^%% them up!    Report

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