if anyone else has the same dilema….removal of the gas tank is the way it is done. Tank comes out real easy and there are three nuts per side to be removed, the other two are in the cockpit. As a side note…i guess weight is needed up front to steady the front end at highway speeds….whoever built this one…used cement blocks and bricks ! are sand bags the prefered method ? how much weight is needed ? as far as before and after pictures, I will try…not too good at downloading pictures