PerrydaSavage wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:02:I've read that the frame tolerances are different on some LS650's which prohibits removal of the gas tank without first removing the petkock ... I suspect mine is one of those, 'cause there's no way I can get the tank off without removing it ... believe me I've tried ... even put silicone lubricant on the rubber "puck" bushings too ...
Anyone else ever hear 'bout the frame tolerances being different on some Savage's ... any truth to it?
For myself, I find that hard to believe since most production welding is done in weldment fixtures and variations to the frame backbone could cause all kinds of other little glitches like wheel misalignment, handling issues, or even frame flex. And granted, frame variations would be a good reason for petc0ck interference too, but the Japanese have become masters of mass production...as Gitarzan mentions with the decline of Triumph, below.
Maybe it's time to clear up the issue....here and on other forums. How about people start measuring the frame across the place where the petc0ck makes contact? My tank is due to come off real soon (maybe today) and I'll do the same. Maybe it would be good to include the year of the bike, too.
I'm betting that it would take differences of 1/4" or more to cause this problem, and I find that hard to believe.