Welcome, steven. How about posting a photo of your bike tangled in this dilemma?
The front hooks fit under bumpers on each side of centerline, the rear posts drop into the grommets. Bingo. If you don't have clips, it might ride high. The clips can still be purchased. Having the tank connected at the rear will make the side covers more secure in their mounts. There could be cables, insulation or hoses interfering with lowering. Are hoses attached to the two rear ports? Are the fuel hoses in the front keeping the tank from lowering?
Why was the tank removed anyway? :yes Maybe somebody will move this post to the Workshop where it belongs. In the meantime, what's the story?