How to take off Gas Tank Pad?

I bought a used 99 superspoprt and my padding on the gas tank (the Balls protection Pad) is black and my seat is from a 2001 model light grey vinyl. How do i take off the pad from the gastank? I couldnt find any screws under the gas tank. I want to re cover the pad so it matches my seat color. Thanks in advanced.

Whee this is my second post.

You may want to reconsider. Here is the scoop. Get a 99 black seat, I have one if you need it.

But if you insist......To get the pad off (I just did it to custom paint the bike) you have to peel it off, pull it off. Be careful not to tear it.

Once it is off you will need to use a razor blade to cut the black sealant off the tank. The sealant will pull off the pad.

To re-install you will need to get sealant and two sided tape. You apply a sealant bead on the pad in the area that is indented. You should apply some on the tank. as well.

Prior to that you should put two sided tape on the tank to temporary hold it in place while the adhesive cures.

When you install it you will need alcohol and a rag to clean off any sealant you get on the tank.

When you install be carfull to get it all the way on before letting the two sided tape adheare or you will have to pull it back off (i did and its a mess). There is a locating Nub in the center of the pad coming out of the tank.

The two side pads are the same process.

get SIKAFLEX 291 adhesive in black color from a boating shop or online.

Good luck.

Scott

Thanks for you post. My bother talked me into recovering the seat to match the tank pad. DuH!! I should of thought of that before. Well your post is good to know because I am painting the entire bike over from the chamelion purple back to stock yellow. Ohh how much would you selll me your 99 seat for? The 2001 that I bought from Ebay does fit but it wiggels from side to side..I had to push the helmet holders in to hold down the seat from wiggling.

NowiS

See if you can find a Sargent seat to replace the stock one. Its a huge improvement for several reasons... support, shape, storage, etc.

Also, get some good double-sided moulding tape from a body shop, that works for reattaching the tank pads. Just use several sections of it.

Rip the tank pad off and throw it away!

Then install a crbon firbe one from a 916, it needs to be cut down a little but works, and they are only 25 bucks on ebay. it looks better and it makes the bike more comfortable. I will take a digi pik of mine and post it!

Chris

Yeah,
Just pull. Mine is falling off anyway and I may do the CF thing if I can find a good one.

I've got a Seat from a '99 SS I'm willing to let go of... for pretty cheap... say... 60$?

Its in mint condition... no tears, burns, scratches, scuffs...

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Rip the tank pad off and throw it away!
Then install a crbon firbe one from a 916, it needs to be cut down a little but works, and they are only 25 bucks on ebay. it looks better and it makes the bike more comfortable. I will take a digi pik of mine and post it!</TD></TR></TABLE>

There is a steel nub about an inch in diameter and inch tall that stands out in the middle of the new tanks. you can't just pull the old one off...you'll get "nubbed"!!

How did you fix this?

Wow lots of help guys. Im begining to love this board.

Could it be possible that the previous owner replaced the pad a little to high after painting the tank. If I lower the pad after painting the tank, will it squish down on the seat and stop the wiggle?


Nowis


Modified by NowiS at 7:51 AM 5/10/2005

The tank has an indent all the way around so if the pad is installed correctly it should follow the indent. Besides there is a big steel nub protruding from the tank in the middle of the pad and a indent in the pad for alignment.

The method I used to re-attach the seat replicates the factory, two sided tape does not adhere the pad around the perimeter like factory installed adhesive.

I was building a bike that would at least begin its life with me as a "new looking" show quality bike.

My next project is a "I could care less what it looks like" track bike.

The seat should just clip under in the front with the two tabs and then hatch in the back.

I would go $60 on my seat as well. I replaced it with a Sargent and the bike had 800 miles on it, so the seat is not broken in.

Good luck

Scott

They also sell replacement pads in grey.

I'd like to see one w/ a carbonfiber cover, I've been wondering if I could find one for a SS

On my race bike, I took off the pad and cut the steel nub off and filled the indentation that was left. Tank looks a lot better in my opinion.

Steel Nub..... Angle grinder. make sure there is no gas in the tank!

I will take pic of mine with the 916 carbon guard at the weekend, tonight if its not too dark!

Chris

You guys have pic's of the tank without the pad? I might go that way. Im thinking it will leave more room for my big stomach.

OHh Last night I took a flathead screwdriver and peeled away a portion of the pad. Looks like the previous owner never took it off before painting because the original color (Yellow) is still there.. ahhhhh..


Modified by NowiS at 7:49 AM 5/11/2005

This is a terrible pic, I got a better one at home but you get the idea.

I do like the way it looks. I love this board posting stuff. I cant wait to get home and rip that thing off and get the paint job done. As for the seat im thinking of keeping it the 2001 grey color...

Simon


Modified by NowiS at 8:42 AM 5/11/2005