Breva 750 tank removal

[GonzoB]

Hi All.

I've had my 07 Breva a week or so, and I have to remove the tank. I'm pretty mechanically minded, but this has beaten me.

I've removed the plastic panel at the front,
unbolted the tank,
wiggled it back and put a block of wood under it so I can see...

From here I believe I have to
a) remove the quick-release fuel coupling
b) slide the rubber hoses off the copper tubes (I guess they are low pressure return lines to the tank)
c) undo the multi-wire connector.

It's a) that's got me beat. I did a bit of searching on this forum and got the idea that I should be able to slide the white bit towards the black bit and the connector will release, but it's really tight. I made a forked tool, but I'm loathe to put too much pressure on it.

Any hints? Am I on the right track?

Gonzo

[SIR REAL ED]

Hi All.

I've had my 07 Breva a week or so, and I have to remove the tank. I'm pretty mechanically minded, but this has beaten me.

I've removed the plastic panel at the front,
unbolted the tank,
wiggled it back and put a block of wood under it so I can see...

From here I believe I have to
a) remove the quick-release fuel coupling
b) slide the rubber hoses off the copper tubes (I guess they are low pressure return lines to the tank)
c) undo the multi-wire connector.

It's a) that's got me beat. I did a bit of searching on this forum and got the idea that I should be able to slide the white bit towards the black bit and the connector will release, but it's really tight. I made a forked tool, but I'm loathe to put too much pressure on it.

Any hints? Am I on the right track?

Gonzo

did you unplug the fuel pump ( I assume this is the multi-line connector you mention), then hit the starter for a few seconds to relieve the pressure in the fuel line?  It will make it easier and neater to unhook the not-so-quick connector as it has been called.

[severely]

Why are you removing the tank? My Breva has along enough fuel line for the tank to be slipped out of the front rubbers and rotated backward to set where the seat WAS. Good luck.

[GonzoB]

Why removing the tank? I'm fitting a MCCruise electronic cruise control that I had on my last bike. I need access to all the electrics and the throttle bodies under the tank. Simply rotating it might be enough, but I'd really like to have it off, as I need access to the battery area too. I've done this job on my previous two bikes, and ease of access is important.

Re the de-pressurising, yes I did that. I hadn't actually started the bike for a few days, and it wouldn't fire at all, so I assume there was no pressure.

Gonzo

[severely]

Just making you aware of an easier path, every disconnection leads to wear on the connection O-rings. Good luck

[malik]

Do the easy bits first. Disconnect the plug, then remove the tubes. The tube nearest the seat is the over fuel pipe that drains the occasional fluids from the tank cap surround. While there, ensure the spigot is clear - it has a tendency to corrode, block up, and let (rain) water into the tank & rust up parts of the fuel pump.

Now the QD (Quick Detatchable) connector that Guzzi appears to have fallen in love with - encyclopaedias have been written on the techniques for this (many of them on this site). Some bikes respond to release-the-pressure-by- spinning-the-starter ploy. Basically the trick is to push the fuel hose back towards the red elbow while pulling back on the grey collar. There is not a lot in it (as you'll see once you get it off & move the collar back & forth), there is no click or any other tactile feedback. I've found a little lubrication helps - I generally use a silicone lube. Not a lot of force is needed, and it must be applied in-line, you DON'T wand to break the red elbow. Although the first few (or mores) times you do it, it can be awkward and frustrating, in due course with practice, the required technique will become familiar and easy. If, at first, you don't succeed, don't let the frustrations rise, but put it down, have a drink, come back to it later. Hey, it's Italian. You'll likely be surprised the first few times it comes apart. You'd swear you didn't do anything different. You'll also get a small dribble of fuel.

[sign216]

If you're removing the tank, don't forget to replace the fuel filter while it's off.

Joe

[hzbloke]

G'day Gonzo,

I reckon it was a year ago we were in Jindabyne. Listen to Malik. He speaks the truth. I'm  still surprised every time I actually get the thing to disconnect even though I think I'm doing exactly what I've always done. I wonder if a bit of a a spray with something may help. That joiner may not have been detached in more than 10 years.

[GonzoB]

Thanks for all the help. I got it disconnected.

I'm not sure if the connector on my bike is the same as the others here, but I managed to do it by getting on the right side of the bike with the tank lifted up so I could see the female end of the connector. Then I gently prized the 4 internal locking tabs apart with a jeweler's screwdriver.

The movement of the grey ring is only about 1/2mm. Pushing it towards the female end locks the tabs in place. Pulling it back that 1/2mm leaves space behind the tabs so they can be prized apart. So maybe all I had to do was to was pull and wiggle the connector? I wasn't game to do that for fear of breaking something.

My tank elbow is white, not red, so maybe it's a different model....?

OK, so now the tank's off I can see all the little rubber things that have perished in the 12 years the bike was sitting. More work.

Hi hzbloke. Thanks for your help in getting this bike. I'm enjoying it (apart from the abovementioned connector!).

Gonzo

[malik]

Well done. You're on your way. Before you reconnect the fuel line, lube the QD connector. It makes it easier to get off next time.

Mostly we have red elbows, tho' I have seen white one. The red ones are barbed at the pump end, thus if it's broken, it requires careful work with a drill to remove the remains. I have seen a white replacement, and that one was not barbed, although it did have the 2 o-rings.

If you install new tank pucks, be sure to screw them on tightly & check them occasionally - some have reported the screws coming undone with use. A little rubber grease on them will help the tank slide back on.

Check the state of the drain hoses at the tank end - they harden & get brittle with age & use, and end up breaking off. 6mm ID I should think. The same thing happens to the two breather hoses coming out of the rocker covers.

[hzbloke]

WARNING: tenuous link and shameless bragging follows.

If only the tank connector came off as easily as these replaceable chopstick ends. I got these at lunch today after visiting the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an China.




The good news is that Wildguzzi is not blocked in China. The bad news is that there are no Motor Guzzis in China.