Tank slid forward

[badgertom]

The other day I dropped the bike  ( with a full tank of gas). No damage
since I was parked, but I did notice that the tank moved forward. Possibly this may have occurred prior to dropping the bike. Since the bike is held in place (at the rear) by only a bracket which is pushed onto the frame I can understand why the tank moved. Is there a better way to attached the tank in the rear? Most bikes I owned were attached by a bolt. Has anyone had a similar problem and how did you fix it?

[Bob_Roller]

Is there a rubber 'hose' like part on the metal bail that secures the tank at the rear ?

[georgesgiralt]

Frankly, if the rubber are in a good shape, I think it is difficult for the tank to move. I've changed the 3 rubber (at the front on the frame, and two at the read on the tank) and putting the tank back is very hard. The rear rubber need to be pushed really hard to allow for the tank to rest in it's place.

[badgertom]

yes, I have a rubber part which has to be pushed in-place. That in itself is a problem since it can be difficult and frustrating to get it in place. It seems to me there must be an easier way to attach the tank(?)

[suecanada]

You might find some way to make the tank very secure but in the end the speed and ease with which one can remove that tank will be missed I bet!
Give it some more thought, I'd suggest, and keep the rubber covered rear bail.

[Barry]

With the tank fitted correctly and assuming that the correct rubbers are fitted, there is no possible way it can move further forward so it might only be an indication that it wasn't far enough forward in the first place.

When fitting the tank I always try to make sure it is pushed as far forward as possible before lowering the rear of the tank over the frame tubes.  

With the rubbers in good condition it's just about the best tank fitting method I've seen. Not many tanks you can get off in 30 Seconds flat.

To make things easier when refitting I put a trace of silicone grease on the rubbers. Helps to prevent tearing of the rear rubbers as they ain't cheap to replace.

[montmil]

On the rubber weather strip bits that seal the top and window glass on my VW Cabriolet -a convertible- I use a NAPA product sold as Sil-Glyde. A preservative and lubricant, it is handy on the Airhead rubber pieces, too.

Since you said the tank moved forward, I'm wondering if all the required rubber parts are in attendance. With the tank and rubbers properly installed, there's really no way it could move forward. Backwards I could understand.

[bruce_launceston]

I agree with the comments that the R65 tank fitting is a easy and secure tank fitting method, so I can only assume that something is missing from your set-up. You might need to post some pictures of what you have at the front and rear of your frame and tank.
There should be 1 round rubber on the frame at the front, 2 L shaped foam type rubbers stuck to the rear of the tank and a rubber tube on the wire bail that hooks under the frame backbone.

The 2 L shaped rubbers came loose off my tank and I have them cable tied to the corresponding position on the frame tubes, it has been like this for many years without causing any problems and has simplified the tank respray on the last 2 occasions it has been done.

[georgesgiralt]

If need arose, BMW still has all the rubber available and not so pricey.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

And when you have the front rubber verified, and you have both the right and left side "L" rubbers for the rear, PROPERLY positioned (thick goes on top, thin goes on the side), then you push the tank onto the front mount and down on the two rear bumpers.
Then, with the metal bail WITH the associated rubber on it, bring the bail below the frame tube and ROLL the bail's rubber under.