Delboy, thanks so much to you and your wife fro taking the time to do these vids. They're all absolutely brilliantly explained!

Thanks for taking the time to do these videos. They are a great help to us newbies.

Well done Rudy, glad you fixed it. I had not considered the heat drying them out. so learned somthing today.. ride safe buddy and keep your boots in the breeze... Del.

When I need help with my Harley, I can go to my shop manual or Delboy's garage for a more clear explanation. You never let me down. Thanks, Scott. Cincinnati, Ohio

Delboy you're spot on 'auld son...had to drop the stock peanut and threw an Iron 883 tank on my 2010 '48...the peace of mind is simply...night and day. Plus no more jibs in from the lads with the fat tanks. Great vids as usual. Cheers.

Hi mate, like i said a few times, post up something really simple and basic, a suddenly half a dozen guys have been wondering that answer for ages....makes me glad i do them, because if i felt they weren't useful to people id stop bothering tomorrow and just build silly bikes.. thanks again Del.

Thank you so much for the help!! With the help of your videos I was able to change out all my cable, and adjust them too! I was able to instal ape bars and not pay the 600 dollars the harley dealership wanted. Now i'm removing my tank for a paint job, and you are helping me do this too! Thank you so much for the videos! From Venice California, thank you!

Thanks Delboy - my boyfriend was freaking out worried gas would be every were your quick pic on removal of tank saved him from sleeping in the garage. Happy Holidays Alan and Diana Croydon, Pa USA

An oldie video but a damn goodie! Thanks for a very comprehensive tutorial. Now it makes me curious as to how to replace or otherwise service the gas tank filter. Thanks again for what you do my friend.

Hi Delboy - You do really a great job. All your videos are very clear and 100% helpful. Thank you very much - from Switzerland!

I can't thank you enough for all the help you've given me to fix my Harley. Thank you.

Thanks for the endorsement buddy, im glad the pads finally bedded in and found their mojo, the thing to note here, is that already you are more knowledgeable and equipped to keep your bike safe, imagine a guy asking YOU now why his back chomper is squealing like a pig, and is it dangerous....you can tell him with experience and pass on the torch of knowledge and guidance, and that's right what the biker brotherhood is all about... well done mate, and thanks for taking the time to watch.. Del.

So much easier than I expected. I am going to go pull my tank off now so I can get at the spark plugs. Thanks for this video, it just made things that much easier!

Hi mate, thanks for your comment, believe it or not, that is the standard seat from the XL883L as it came from the factory, it is quite hard, but if you'd like one at least with that you can just order it up from the parts desk ! ... The bike is Penny's bike, she chose the colours herself and are the original 58 Duo Glide colours ... thanks for watching, Cheers Del

Nice one Del. Things were simpler with carbs! In response to the chap who asked about Bandit fuel filter fitting, I did one on a Mk1 earlier this year for a mate. I got a motorcycle filter (i.e. not one for a car as they are too big!) from Vehicle wiring products. It was a 6mm unit. Just remember it has an orientation for fuel flow (there is an arrow in flow direction). TBC

$600? That's extortiante! (but doesn't surprise me)... it bares out the statistic that Harley dealers make 75% of their income from non-chassis sales and service! Selling bikes alone isn't profitable! Glad the videos have helped you and it's amazing to have been able to reach out to a fellow rider all the way over in California - thanks for taking the trouble for letting us know, it makes it all worthwhile! Ride safe and good luck with your custom job! Del & Penny

Thank you sir, I am very impressed with how simple the removal was. I have some material interduced into my tank and need to remove and flush out. Thank you again

hi Malcolm, all i can say with the rocker gaskets is its real simple and take your time...the only tricky bit is getting the bugger out and back in as there is no clearance under the frame...i use a damp chamois leather draped over it to stop it getting scratched as you wriggle and drag it out....other then that, just be careful and take your time.. good luck, Del.

MF41, wow, thank's for sharing, mate. Have to replace an ignition switch and couldn't get the tank off --- and you appeared like a guardian angel showing the way. Give your mum a big hug because she raised you well.... JCG, Tampa, Fl., USA

Hi mate....you can lift the front using a tank lift kit.. its a simple bracket that locates the front mount higher...they come in 1, 2 or 3inch lifts....just search them on the net and you'll find plenty of choice... and they come with detailed instructions too... hope that helps.. Del.

Thanks for showing us that-- not useful to me, but very interesting. I really like that fuel line, double-ball-bearing valve. Very clever-- with an electrical lock-out to boot!

Excellent video on taking the tank off. Wanted to do some graphics on my tank.Love your illustrations,directions and the close ups. Cheers gunner

Thanks guys, exactly what I needed to see for when I change my handlebars to re route things. So much better than trying to decipher a manual. Subscribed.. (Nice colour paintwork too.!)

Thanks DelBoy, I followed your instructions and had no problem

Painters tape (triple layer) doesn't slime your paintwork like duct tape, that being the point. Good video! Since many tank pulls will be to replace fuel pumps on bikes that sat unused for a long time, note the internal fuel hoses should always be replaced as age and disconnection then reconnection to replacement fuel pumps are famous for causing (exasperating) leaks.

Great video. Nice part about pulling harness not wires(some don't know 101). I've got the gold 50th on my tank but really like that "pog" emblem on that bike.

Well done Ted, thats a great little How-To with lots of detail....just how it should be... thanks for posting that mate, cheers, Del;.

Hi buddy, it will be pretty much the same, i believe there is a link pipe at the front under the head stock to disconnect, and possibly a few other changes to the sportster setup....but in principle taking a fuel tank off is the same, disconnect the fuel, any sender connections and then the mounting bolts....sorry not to be more help, just take your time and be vigilant, it shouldn't be too hard. good luck, Del.

I can't show you it as I don't intend to do it, but it's very simple, as is ignition key re-location, coil re-location 7 tank lift kits, just buy the kit online and it comes with easy step by step instructions, thanks for watching, Del

Thats great news Ryan, and exactly why we load them up, im glad it helped you buddy, good luick Del.

Thank you very much, excellent instructions. You were right, I was scared to take my tank out (I need to do some wiring), after watching this - not any more ;) Cheers!

You're welcome, mate, we just post up the jobs we do, and if it helps anyone then that's great... thanks for taking the time to comment and watching, it's much appreciated, Cheers Del

Simples! Brilliantly clear and straight forward. Awesome work!

Excellent, to answer your question, the reason why I need to take my tank off is to change the rocker covers - cheers Del.

Thanks once again Your videos are really the best available

Thank You so much for your video. I just picked up a 2011 883L that has a dent in the tank where the bike hit something and I want to replace it with a OEM tank that matches but I didn't have a clue how to go about it. Now I am sure I can do the job myself.

Honestly, the paint on your tank and fenders are soooo smoooth! And great video... ;)

Hi Rudy,I have to say I am in the dark on this one,as never had this happen.Using common sense,replace both Orings top& bottom if you can,and check the ball valves are closing properly & there is no grit or dirt preventing the ball seating properly..also push the balls in & out with your finger to make sure the springs are working properly & clean the entire joint to make sure nothing is getting in the way..it's a case of elimination & tracing the fault..sorry I can't be more help, good luck,Del

Exactly, and people who berate Harley as a tractor maker still think their old worn out jokes have merit, there is as much clever technology in a new Harley Davidson as there is in a new Fireblade...they just retain a look that's still desirable 55 years after it was first muted, something the Japanese have absolutely no concept of...Long live American Iron, thanks for watching mate, take care,, Del.

Damn man,props to poor Penny.You had her working her ass off on this video.Hanging upside down,bending every which way,holding the camera and a flashlight at the same time, while she was probably twisted up like a pretzel.And to top it off you might have given her a heart attack when you scratched or almost scratched her beautiful fender.Hope you at least cooked or took her to dinner.Great job Penny.Oh,and you too Del. LOL LOL LOL Only 48 miles to a tank ??!!?? What the....

Just what I was looking for. Great explanation with instructions. Thanks!!

You hit a diamond right there...I think the bikes you refer to are the "Zero Choppers" stylee, and "Rough Crafts enigineering" too, but they are both custom companies, and i was refering to the main factories Honda Suzuki et al...also the japanese themselves have some amazing ingenuity when it comes to building a bobber around an old Knuckle motor...something i think they Americans find a bit sacrilegious... dont you just love the bike world for its diversity?..lol. take care buddy, Del.

Thanks Del...I needed this info for the rocker cover gasket job

cont..Use a length of correct diameter fuel hose (6mm) fuel pipe clips on all joints (so 4 off). Do not make the pipe too long or you’ll get air locks. Remove the tank and fuel/vacuum pipes. Cut the fuel pipe (I like a new pipe as the old one can be a loose fit over the spigots) fit the filter with clips then offer the over length pipe into position checking there is sufficient space for the unit and cut surplus off the pipe at either end (I like to see the filter…) TBC

You can fit one you know, they are not hard to adapt, but you'll need to fit a fuel pump too (and the FI tank) in order to overcome the spring pressure as your carb bike just uses gravity....personally i like the carb setup...nice and simple, thanks for watching chum.. Del.

Awesome. Thanks for this. Need to run some wires under the tank for a new Legend air suspension. Can't take the Los Angeles freeway potholes any longer with the stock 1" suspension.

Hi, there, thats a common mystery, clever Harley like to hide things in plain view just to make them really hard to find...lol .the turn signal bodies are designed to swivel and move in case they get just such an impact and then they move rather than snap off..Stand in front of the bike, look at the master cylinder fluid window, and right next to it is the mirror shaft...between the two you will see a tiny hole..down inside is a little grub screw (alun key)..tighten that up and you're good to go

Love this guys videos. Very helpful information

Delboy I love you, thank you very much, from Chile !!!

Another great tutorial Delboy. Many thanks.

I think if i repeated what she said off camera, you would think she is not so sweet....oops..! thanks for watching buddy, cheers, Del.

No, the motor was that colour from the factory..its actually a matt grey powdercoat..that way they dont tarnish, and the water just runs off...

cont connect pipe to carbs then fit clip at CV carbs. Refit the tank, reconnect the fuel and vacuum pipes (plus clips) start the engine and watch the clean fuel flow…

Hi Throck,Harley introduced the peanut tank in 1957...because they only introduced the Sportster itself in 1957. And yes, your'e right, most 48 owners do seem to get just under 50miles from brim to reserve, I can't believe that is just coincidence LOL! Further to that, if you Stage 1 tune & fit pipes to your bike you will see a slight drop in MPG,so then you will have to fill it right up to get your 48miles, but hey ho, it's not a tourer, thanks for watching, take care Del

Thanks mate, glad it helped you out... ride safe, Del

Great video. Needed to prep my bike for a move and this did the trick.

Thinking about it, the wires fit directly into the pump unit and fuel sender 'through the base plate'...the two units are sealed to the base plate, and perhaps there is no live feed open to the fuel...id hope not anyway, i like my left leg in the place it was intended..lol..

Cheers Tim.

I like that ball valve - I find it to be quite brilliant and I wish my '05 Sportster had one (carbureted) to make tank removal easier.

Thanks for the helpful tips. I'm about to undertake replacing the stock speedometer with the new 4" combo speed/tach kit and fuel level sensor kit on my 09 Sportster XL1200L. I'll let you know how it goes.

I know, WTF are they playing at designing a tank that has such silly range, but hey ho, its the most popular sportster of all time, so its hardly an own goal aye.... thanks for taking pity on our Penny, shes a good old stick, will happily skulk about in a damp cold garage with me for hours, and make tea in between shoots too aye...what a star she is.. i think ill keep her on aye..?.. cheers buddy, Del.

Ah thanks very much Del, I'll give it a go! Fairly cheap job, I think a fuel filter for my B6 is like a pound or something... Anyway, I'll let you know how it goes. Cheers!

Hi Stu. Sadly the old Mk1 banger i have doesn't have fuel filter, and i cant remember what they look like, ive had a couple of Mk2's over the years, but never had cause to change one so id be on the dark till i looked at it.. they cant be that hard though mate, usually inline between the tap and the carbs, so easy enough to slip the hose off each end of the filter, and insert a new one... if you get stuck send me a closeup photo so i can see what it looks like, hope that helps, Del

HaHa, yeah, don't give him any ideas, you now what the power of suggestion is like! Take care, cheers Pen x

Thanks for the video - it's made things more clear for me as I prepare to change the rear rocker cover gaskets on my XL1200L - any tips on that much appreciated! Made myself a wooden stand as per your video - just need to persuade my missus to come and help like your does!

Nice video, only thing i would say is not to use Duct tape, instead using painters (paper tape) though a towel works better

Well explained...new fan.....thank you.

Thanks a ton. Big help on my '07 Sportster

Thanks bro really helped me with my wire tuck lot easier with out tank

Your video is so helpful. Thank you so much!

lov the color of Pennys bike good stuff guys

ordered the o rings on line was hard to find but after changing both it worked turns out I left the bike off to long and here in texas heat got to the rings and dried them out o rings fit and back working again

Very helpful. Thanks for posting.

Thanks for posting!

Not quite sure I understand your question, but I think you mean the ball valve fuel hose connector.. when you remove this with the spring back collar there is a very tiny amount of fuel that escapes, and again when re-fitting, is this what you mean? Or is it leaking continuously? Could it be you've not re-fitted correctly?

taking all the guesswork out of it once again. thanks!

Hello, could you publish one video about assembling the fuel pump on the Sporster 1200? Thank you. Keep doing your great job and videos

Very good bro!!! Super ease!

Moonfleet41 thanks for sharing the info regarding the tank removal can you please show us how to remover rear fender/mudguard? as will be sending mine away for respray tank and both mudguards. I ride a 1200 XL Sportster 56 model thanks in advance for your help

Ty for your excellent video

Hey good videos delboy used this to learn tank removal in the past tried again recently for seal change and it leaked from tank socket until I plugged it bk in

Good video, it helped me out right away. Thanks.

Great video, thanks brother

thank for an informative info..smile

i think 1948 was the year harley introduced the "peanut" tank. it holds (the 2012 48) about 2.1 gallons. i get about 33-35 mpg on mine (new, not broken in...) and you hit reserve about .6 gallons or so. i've only been putting about one gallon on top of my reserve; i've not attempted to fill it all the way, so effectively, the peanut tank holds about 1.6 gallons, or, on average, about "48" miles before you run out... odd.

the problem is the front and back bolts and nuts. very very tight. the front nut is even worst. it is the lock type that has little grip.

Great video. All I want to do is thread the wiring harness from a gear indicator (that I have attached to the handlebar) back to the data link connector. Looks like there is a sheath under the tank that protects the wiring harness from the heat of the engine. I'm guessing I don't have to remove the tank, maybe just remove the back bolt to tip it up a little? Is there enough give on the fuel collar, you think? Then just push the wiring thru from the front?

great info del

Kool.... Mahalo from the islands

Thanks dude great video

Another awesome vid. Any quick tips on how to raise the tank at its front?

Thank you for saving me SO MUCH money!!!

Ive seen many pics of 883s with a relocated speedo to the left on the suspension bar i think it was, i really like the look it gives the bike with a straight dragbar but im very lost in how to do it, if you could give me a couple of tips or show me the procedurei would be really thankful

Great video. Exactly what I was looking for :)

That was so simple... my Sportster must be about the same. The last bike I had the tank off was a 1970 CB 350 that had an bridging tube and always seemed to make a mess when draining the tank. Leads to my next question. The plate needs to be pulled off to replace the fuel filter? How often should that really be done? Now, I do have a problem I woke up to. 2007 HD Sportster C, 1200 CC... I was going to ride my bike to work. But the security system activated. I tried my other key/ fob set & it still would not start... put it on a trickle charger & took the car to work. . . still will not start. Checked the fob battery 3.1 volts - ok, looked at the fuses - pulled the main first, like in your changing the battery video :-) & I did find some oxidation, so I wire brushed them & put electrical grease on them - like I user on the light bulbs. Still will not start. I looked at the Delphi connector & the ECU connector & both are clean, & now restated... still will not start. Any thoughts on this? Thank you for your videos, liked the one on ID & emergency information. NickNarcowich@Yahoo.com Sacramento, California, U.S. of A.

Hi. Yet again another great video (albeit an oldie). Many thanks for another super clear and concise explanation of how-to remove the tank. Just a couple quick questions: For an '09 1200 sportster (essentially identical to the '08 48 model you use in the video), would you recommend emptying the tank or at least using most of the fuel before removal? And, to replace upper rocker box gaskets, would you recommend simply lifting the rear of the tank a bit instead of actually removing it? - which I've seen some do. (P.S. What a beautiful tank, both shape and colour). (PPS Would you happen to remember if you've done a video on replacing rocker box gaskets on a Sportster?)

It's easy.Thank-you bro.

Do I need to drain the tank before removing it? Or, with the electrical disconnect I won't leak when the valve thing is removed?

it started when I turned it on I dropped my glasses when I picked them up I saw fuel leaking slowly when I touched it , it was leaking continuously so after I saw this vid I wanted to see maybe the o ring was gone on the one with the spring back collar it looked new still so I put it back and continued to leak so I had to remove the tank and gas so it wont leak everywhere for now I was just wondering which one could be the prob. the bottom one with the spring back collar or the top on ?

Top notch 'how to' video!