gas tank straps

[p7387]

i am in the process of assembling the gas tank/brackets for installation. the strap used to secure the tank on the shorter bracket misses the hole by about 3/4" and way too much force is required to barely get it in place. i know the straps should not be fully tightened until after the brackets have been aligned. my thought was to get a threaded 7/16" coupler and extend the threaded portion of the strap so it fits comfortably. has anybody encountered this short strap problem before?

[Mule man]

Did you bend the edges of the new tank down?  That gave me enough room to get the nut started.

[p7387]

yes i did and still not enough room, still short about half inch. i am going to try to extend the 7/16 thread with some threaded rod. i do understand that the fit should be snug but this is way to tight. if i need to shift the brackets slightly to get the holes aligned i will never be able to do it with the strap forced so tight.

[beastie_3]

I had the same problem when I replaced a tank. Never figured out why it did it. I just welded a longer bolt to the existing thread and its been about 6 years so far with no problems.