08 GSA lower tank mounting bolts misaligned

[andeebee]

Any tips on getting the lower tank mounting bolts in place on the GSA tank? Should everything 'just line up' or is it a compression fit on the frame?
I have been struggling for a few days and cant get the bracket on the tank lined up with the chassis threads in order to get the m8 bolt started. Both sides are the same.
First attempt resulted in a crossed thread which I have had to tap out as I was forcing the bolt in on an angle.
With the tank in place, slightly raised at back on airbox and pushed hard against the bungs on the front stops, Im still about 5mm out of alignment on the lower captive threads. I can see the hole but theres no more movement to allow my bolt through.
Even tried removing the rubber on the front stops to see if that gave me clear view of the hole but still wasnt enough.
Its like I need to compress the tank? It has been off the bike, half full of fuel for 6 months - could it have deformed?

 

[Pukmeister]

I usually slacken the front rubbers off thèn slide a 2ft length of scrap softwood about 3/4" thick between the top of the airbox and the underside of the fuel tank. I then use it to jiggle the tank up/down to align the tank rear bolt holes.

Sometimes the tank needs pushing forwards to align the holes.

 

[Steptoe]

It has been off the bike, half full of fuel for 6 months - could it have deformed?

Oh dear.

 

[andeebee]

Managed to persuade it into place with a second pair of hands
It was never my intention to have the front end in bits for so long but one job led to another and Im glad is now finally nearing completion.
It does appear the tank could deform slightly if left on a concrete garage floor over Winter, Spring and Summer half full of fuel - so beware!

 

[Bendy toy]

Try fitting any GSA tank that's full of fuel and you will almost certainly fail to get the bolts in. Drain the tank and they'll fit ok. Saying that, those bolts are never easy to get aligned without going cross-thread. I made up a pair of bolts with a 10mm long lead in at the nose end. That gets the bolt aligned so all you have to do is check it's not wildly off line and turn it.