I ordered the Targa 1/2 Tank Cover as a preventative measure for protecting the finish on the back half of my ZR-7 gas tank.  There seem to be lots of opportunities for the tank to get scratched with jacket zippers, etc.  Plus, I also thought the picture on the Targa web site looked cool and I had to have one!

The first thing you'll notice when your Targa cover arrives is that the instructions suck!  Nothing we haven't dealt with before, so we just have to resign ourselves to the fact that we're on our own.  Or more accurately, I was on my own.  You now have the benefit of my learning curve, and your installation should be much easier than my first one was.

Step1: Remove the seat, which you've no doubt done many times before.

Step2: Place the tank cover in the relative position where it's going to reside.  The elastic cord goes toward the front of the gas tank.

Step3: Wrap the elastic cord under the front of the gas tank, in the gap between the tank and upper frame, right behind the steering yoke.  The cord should disappear under the tank.

Step4: Wrap the elastic cord under the the sides of the gas tank.  The cord should be wrapped clear underneath and not visible.

Step5: Clip the plastic fasteners sewn onto the tank cover under each side of the gas tank.  These will clip right onto the lip of the tank if you wrap them underneath.

Step6: Slide the two velcro fasteners provided in the kit between the plastic side cover and the gas tank.  Stick the thick end of the velcro strip down in the slot and slide it forward between the side cover and tank.

Step7: Slide the velcro fastener forward to the point where it lines up with the velcro strip on the back of the tank cover.  Fold the side of the cover down and fasten the velcro strip to the velcro fastener.

Step8: Straddle the bike and line up the tank cover so it is exactly centered on the tank.  The tip of the cover should be about 1/4" behind the silver tank cap housing and should look perfectly straight.

Step9: The tail tabs of the back of the tank cover should just overlap the seat notch guides on the back of the tank.  Don't think that the cover can't overlap the seat guides, if you slide the cover forward to unearth the seat guides, the cover will be too far forward.  When the seat is put back on, it will go right over the cover.

Step10: Slide the seat back into position.  You'll have to push it forward firmly into the tank due to the excess bulk over the tank guides due to the cover.  The seat should overlap the cover.  You may need to stick your finger under the corners of the seat as you slide it up to keep the tank cover tucked under and prevent it from being bunched up.

Step11: Stand back and admire a job well done!  The cover gives the bike a real sporty look, and protects the tank from scratches. 

Good luck! 
Jarel Jensen

NOTE: The cover may appear a little wrinkled and bunched up at first.  Don't worry about it.  If you leave it on for a little while, particularly if it gets heated up in the sun, all of the wrinkles will disappear and it will appear skin tight.

NOTE: If the cover gets wet (rain, etc.) you need to remove it as soon as possible to prevent discoloration of the paint.  The worst thing is to get the cover wet, then let it sit on the tank in the hot sun.  Same goes for a front-end bra on a car, by the way.

Targa 1/2 Tank Cover

Pros:

• Looks sporty-cool!
• Protects the tank from scratches

Cons:

• Instructions suck
• Need to remove it if it gets wet