[vaanen]

you dont need to drain the fuel out first, i've removed my tank loads of times! There is lots of things you can do without takin it off but sometimes easier to get it out of the way.

Take your seat off first, then remove the two bolts at the front of the tank by the headstock (if you've got a faired one i think you need to take the two side panels off first) then flip the tank up, i use a old oil container and prop it up on the airbox but anything will do. once the tank is propped up you have to pull out the two breather pipes that run down the right hand side of the bike, they should just pull through but be carefull not to split or break em, you can then just keep em attatched to the tank.

Next you have to disconnect the electrical harness for the fuel pump, just pull off the two connectors but remember which is for which. once thats all off its just the fuel line, theres a little clip which holds it on, this just clips off, then you have the fuel line with two "buttons" on the side, pinch these together (you'll know what i mean when you see it) and you can just pull the pipe off, be carefull not to break the connector but you should be ok as long as you dont force it. you will probably spill a little fuel out of the pipe (its just residual, its not gonna start gushing out on you), so just hold it over the side to drain on the floor, if your bothered about spilling it on your bike i suppose you could put a rag under before you disconnect it.

Next thing to do is carefully place the tank back down and remove the long bolt holding the tank on at the back, after that the tank will just lift off, make sure you've prepared somewhere to place the tank down before you take it off, you cant just lay it flat on the floor as it will rest on and break the fuel pump connector so you have to suspend it on something, i usually get the seat and turn it upside down so the leather is on the ground. i rest the front of the tank on this then use my old oil container to support it at the back, just make sure its stable before you leave it! so there you go, sorted!

i just noticed that you live in california and if you have a cal spec bike it may be slightly different! there may be an extra connector and only one of the pipes on the tank (i think its a breather pipe, the other is a fuel overflow and i dont think its on the cal models) just check this out before you start playin'