Motorcycle Safety & Driveability: fuel tank, old tanks, tank valve

Question
I took my fuel tank off to have it painted a month ago. I went to put it back on and realized it has three lines coming off the back that I didn't know which went where. one is the the fuel pump and the others look like vents. Does it matter which one I hook up the the fuel. I have a manual and it doesn't have a thing on where they should go. It is a gsxr750 1999.  

Answer
Crowbar,

Your Gixxer tank has a "vacuum" controlled fuel tank valve. In order for the engine to get gas, it has to be running. It does not work on gravity like old tanks used to. If the lines are not hooked up properly, you coud end up with gas all over the bike and a hell of a fire.

Obviously, it is very important that you get the right hoses hooked up to the correct spigots. You need the technical manual for your bike, the kind a Suzuki mechanic would have. Without being there to show you, it's not possible for me to say "hook this one to that one" via the internet and be sure you get it right. Your best solution is to drop by the service department at a Suzuki dealer and talk to a mechanic. Explain your problem, and I would suggest you bring your tank with you. They can talk you through it and perhaps give you a photocopy of the tech manual (so hang onto that copy for the future). DON'T try to guess your way through it. If you get open gas on a hot engine, your new paint job could end up sitting on a pile of ashes.

Good luck,

Bill