Bellagio: getting the fuel tank off

[La Dolce Guzzi]

Greetings Guzzi fans,

I need to get the fuel tank off my new-to-me Bellagio to check the air filter and airbox for oil.

I've never done this before and looked up the service manual - see pic below of instructions provided. The info is a bit scant for the new home mechanic and I have some questions:

1) After I undo the bolt, do I lift the tank to get at the fuel pipe? Is the fuel pipe in the left/right side or down the center?

2) Will fuel spill out after I disconnect the pipe?

3) And is the actual process of disconnecting the pipe just pulling it off or is there some sort of switch or little trick to doing it right?

Sorry for all the questions on what looks like a minor procedure...it's the first time I'm taking a fuel tank off so I'm kinda nervous about spilled fuel everywhere or me clumsily snapping off a plastic fuel fitting!

Any guidance, tips and tricks appreciated.



 

[averb]

I suspect you haven't received any replies as the Bellagio is such a rare bird and never sold in the US.
As far as I know the fuel pump connection etc will be the same as the other CARC bikes and on that assumption -
1. Turn the motor over with the kill switch on to relief pressure in the fuel line.
2. Undo bolt and lift the tank 2-3 inches and I usually wedge it there with a block of wood.
3. The connection to the pump is the same as an air line, you push the hose in and pull back the outer collar to release.
Now this sounds really easy but can take anywhere from 20 seconds to 3 days to get the hose disconnected. Do not loose your rag, the plastic elbow the hose connects to is quite fragile.
If you do break it there are replacement parts available but that is just another hassle.
Now someone else may butt in and point out my errors or omissions but that is how I remember the process.

Good luck

Steve

[La Dolce Guzzi]

Hi Steve,

Many thanks for the tips. De-pressuring the line is particularly useful. Will give it a god this weekend and say three Hail Mary's to the Guzzi gods that all goes well. It's my first CARC bike, and a Bellagio at that, so getting to know all the little quirks! Plus I'm all thumbs in the garage hahaha.

I'm based in Melbourne, VIC by the way just down the road from you...

Cheers,
Maurice

[Huzo]

Regarding the fuel line…
If you stand on the right hand (rear brake) side, after depressurising the line, hold the elbow with your left hand.
GENTLY push the line on as far as it will readily go, you will hear a faint  “click”.
Next, hold your thumbs against the elbow with your fingers against the collar and “claw” the collar backwards.
This approach will not apply any bending loads on the elbow and there is a very slim chance that you won’t break it.
I’ve had my Norge tank off heaps of times, so if it’s the same then that’s what’ll work.
BTW.
Where abouts in Melbourne?

[La Dolce Guzzi]

Thanks Huzo. These finer details are really useful mate. Will give it a go this weekend. I"m based in Doncaster :)

I was hoping the VIC Guzzi club would have a technical day soon but this guidance on here will give me some confidence to give it a try!

[Huzo]

Thanks Huzo. These finer details are really useful mate. Will give it a go this weekend. I"m based in Doncaster :)

I was hoping the VIC Guzzi club would have a technical day soon but this guidance on here will give me some confidence to give it a try!

If you like I’ll drop down and show you.

[La Dolce Guzzi]

Very kind of you Huzo...have sent you a PM

[not-fishing]

One technique that I use on my Griso and V11 Lemans is to undo the bolt then put a block of wood (2x4) underneath the tank at the back to give my hands more room.
When you have "bear paws" (big palms and short fingers) you need a lot of room to manipulate fittings.

[La Dolce Guzzi]

Thanks not-fishing. I've got a piece of wood ready to go for this weekend :)

[La Dolce Guzzi]

Well I managed to lift the tank - just enough - to open the air box and check the filter and make sure there was no oil pooling. There was none and the filter was still fresh :)

Being a Bellagio, the fuel line and pump are on the front left side (see pic). Since my objective was the air box I decided not to tempt Murphy's Law (breaking that plastic elbow joint) and left well enough alone.

Thanks to everyone for the tips and I'll know what to do next time the tank really needs to come off.




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