Hi Everyone
Can anything be done to reduce this gap by the fuel tank, you can clearly see the clip and is quite a big gap which you cant see on the photo that well! Its a really nice fit on the other side, and its definitely pushed in but springs out when you release the pressure.

Thanks in advance
Dave

* Last updated by: dave350v8 on 2/5/2018 @ 1:27 PM *

What year?

Could be the metal tabs welded on the tank.You can take that panel off,and gently bend those in just a bit.Also,at the underside at the front of the panel...do you have the catches slid into the tank tabs on both sides?Those can be angled a bit as well to pull the cover down some.You do have the projections fully inserted into the grommets(on the metal tabs) on the sides,yes?

Sometimes you need to loosen the inner panels(dash)and loosen the side fairing bolts at the rear(over the battery area)and gently squeeze the parts together,then tighten.Also remove the small screw that attaches to the rubber cover midway on the side cover.That allows the side panel to be manipulated up or down,or back just a mm or so.

Hope this helps ya.They get off once in a while from vibrations and such.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 2/5/2018 @ 3:29 PM *

My bike is black so if I have such a gap, it is not noticeable, probably. I do not need to push mine back against the hooks to get the front hole by the steering neck to line up with the bolt hole. I'd say if you do not need to apply backward pressure to line these holes up after popping the projections into place, that fuel tank cover is fitting as it should. Also the holes at the points of the tank fairing should line up with the well nuts in the air box with the foreman grill installed. Also the projections of the tank cover should pretty much line up with the grommets in the side fairings but those would hard to take a visual on. Also, the hole in the tank fairing that slips over the metal post on the side fairing hangers should line up but it is normal if these require a little force to press down over the post. You may get a little better fit if you put the tank fairing on first and the side fairing tabs on that fairing hanger post second. I think the side fairing is supposed to go on first but they can go either way. The ram air cover might not lay flat if you put the side fairing tab on top of the tank fairing tab at that post.

Your pic looks normal to me. The fuel tank is a pretty expensive item to replace for cosmetic damage caused by fairing contact. I think they made the fit loose on purpose. You might try painting that tab with the gromet flat black to conceal it better.

I have a gap between the foreman and the fuel tank cover. Always did.

* Last updated by: Rook on 2/5/2018 @ 4:16 PM *

You might try painting that tab with the gromet flat black to conceal it better.

That's a good idea.

Judging by the color, I'm guessing its an 06 or 07 but I could be wrong. As for the gap, if the one side lines up but the other side doesn't then I suspect the "projections", the parts of the plastic that stick out, on the fairing aren't sitting properly in the rubber grommets/holes on the tank.

I've fought with this on my bike for years, I start by getting one side of the fairing set properly, then gently pull the other side of the tank fairing back and away from the bike, then while still pulling it back bring it towards the bike. Think of it as like wrapping a towel around the tank but keeping it nice and tight. I'll push firmly on the points where I know the projections are in case they haven't slid in and if everything looks good then the rest of the plastic goes on.

Its funny how we live in a society where the gap that dave350v8 posted is unacceptable, but this gap IS acceptable:

actually I was just looking for an excuse to post a nice pic and hopefully make someone smile today! :)

* Last updated by: Nightmare on 2/6/2018 @ 7:16 AM *

Who wouldn't like that Gap?

Who wouldn't like that Gap?

Sweet!Thanks;)

funnily that pic has made me forget about my bike panels now

Good advice guys, plastic funny stuff isn't it, I suppose over time it moves around or bends anyway.

Yes nightmare very close, atomic silver 2008

* Last updated by: dave350v8 on 2/6/2018 @ 11:31 AM *

two fingers minimum

gotta love that.

That's a fantastic gap! Another nice gap is Deal's Gap ... the east end of the Tail of the Dragon