>>How you got to "bending the tubes" before buying a longer a hose is a puzzler, but okay<<

That's wasn't really sarcasm, it was more I couldn't figure out what you were trying to accomplish. If you would have more fully explained the issue in your lead off post maybe I could have helped more. In all the previous tank lift threads I've ever read I never encountered the problem you had so it didn't occur to me why you'd be bending the fuel fitting. Your original post did make it sound like the hose was simply too short.

 

Mine looks the exact same as the OP's pics. But I think it feels/looks fine. You may have already pushed back on the hosing (toward the seat) and checked it out by now. I know when I do there seems to be plenty of slop/travel in the line. Mine doesn't seem like the line is in any stress at all. Those little nozzles coming off the tank just put it at a funny angle. I second leaving it alone.