Need a tip

Just looking for a tip:

I have my bike in my garage and, little by little, I'm getting some stuff done to it over the course of the winter. I chose to keep the gas tank full and just dumped some stabil in for the winter. The issue comes as, from time to time, I'd like to get under the tank to do a little work. Last weekend was on the warmer side so when I wanted to vacuum the birds nest out of my airbox, I just opened my garage door, rolled the bike out and popped the tank up. Now, the reason I went outside to do this is that the tank is full and, inevitably, when you lift the tank up, the overflow ends up pissing all over the ground until you're done. Any tips from you lot on what to plug the overflow tube with while working on the bike? This would allow me to keep working in my nice warm garage on those not-sp-nice days.

Cheers, thanks, and GO PATS!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kennedy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Any tips from you lot on what to plug the overflow tube with while working on the bike?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I usually use the butt end of the cigarette I used to shed some light down the filler neck to see how full the tank was. You can also just let the gas evaporate until there is not enough left to spill out.

Bud, DON'T plug anything. That just means the gas will spill out the top. Siphon it down about 3/4 of the way and refill it when you are done. This will actually help by mixing the Sta-bil into the gas since I am assuming you put the bike away then added the stabilizer (so none is in the injectors or fuel lines) so it might be sitting in a concentrated puddle at the bottom of the tank.

Yeah, I'll probably siphon off a bit and then put it back. Stabil is mixed up pretty well - I put it in while filling the tank before putting the bike away for the winter. Filled tank half way, put stabil in, finished filling the tank. Also rode it home so it should be in the fuel lines and injectors, per a recommendation by mechanic, so as not to get the shellacky deposits from gas breaking down over the winter. Mistake or am I good? I've done it this way several times before with no issues.

Don't siphon. Just put a CLEAN container under the overflow tube. (Turkey pan works great) Then just put it back in when done. Unless of course like me, you enjoy the taste of gas from siphoning.

And when you put the tank back down, make sure the hoses aren't pinched. You definitely don't want a case of imploding gas tank.

-Bob

Siphon.
I use a clear 1/2" hose to be able to see the gas before it reaches my mouth.
Or you may want to buy a little siphon pump made for that.
JT

Well, several years ago someone bought me a 'nice' stainless steel turkey baster for Christmas (How did they know???) Anywho, I now use the old one to start the siphon. Stick clear 3/4" plastic tube (from aquarium shop) in tank, stick baster in other end, squeeze, instant siphon. Once the siphon is started, take the baster out and put the other end of the hose into a clean container.

Damn, what a great tip. Thanks Kennedy. I too, was one of those who enjoyed the taste of gasoline(!)

JK

I use a Kerosene heater siphon, used to fill kerosen heaters (obviously). Can be found at any hardware store. Easy to use and doesn't cause a mess.