Motorcycle Repair: yamaha vmax 1991, yamaha vmax, degree in mechanical engineering

Question
dear chris                                                I purchased the above cycle for my sons graduation present this week. The bike sat for over one year with out being started. The gas tank is very cloged with rusty type material. My son has his degree in mechanical engineering and is trying to get the bike running. Their appears to be a drain plug on the bottom of the gas tank, but how to get to it is the problem.

Answer
Hi Dennis.
 To the best of my knowledge, no fuel tank has a drain plug.  Many have a reserve fuel warning sensor, which is probably what that is.  Normally those kinds of components arebolted on with a few bolts around it on a mounting plate, or they are screwed in and the part has a hex head on it to accomodate easy removal.  If it is not a sensor then you may want to leave it alone as it is probably a semi-permanent piece.

In the case of a tank that is as bad off as you say it is, the only thing to do is to remove any components that are bolted to it (sensors, fuel valve, etc.) and just reseal the tank.  That will lock down any grunge and rust and prevent any future contamination from getting into the fuel.

The repair manual will show you any details as to removal of any odd or out of the ordinary attachments.

Good luck.
FALCON