Fuel gauge vent

[JimmyR]

I have an '82 GS1100G. I'm not using the fuel gauge as I have changed the instrument setup, so have disconnected the wiring coming from the sender. Do I still need the vent tube running from it? I don't actually understand why it's there anyway! Please excuse my ignorance. Can I just plug up the hose or will my bike explode?

[rustybronco]

Do I still need the vent tube running from it? I don't actually understand why it's there anyway!

Examine the 'vent' carefully. does it look like it vents something? if not, what do you think it does?

hint... it isn't a vent.

[tkent02]

It's not a vent, it's a drain. If fuel leks through the gasket, or the sender itself, it goes into that steel cup and down the drain hose to a safe area underneath the bike. If the hose is not there, it would drip on the hot engine below your crotch where all of those ignition wires are. Your choice.

Another tough choice, do I stop the bike first, or just jump off now?

[7981GS]

That vent line, is just in case the gasket starts to leak at some point.
It is intended to divert the leaking gas from the hot engine.
It is also a good idea to aim the end of the hose to one side of the bike so that if it were to leak,
it would NOT go onto the rear tire.

Daniel

[JimmyR]

Ok I'll take the safety crotch option. :-) Actually I did once have a stuck float bowl valve on my Fatboy and it leaked fuel down the drain line onto the road. As you said, it's not good if it leaks in front of the rear wheel - every time I stopped at a light I would skid away on the green until I realised why I could smell fuel...

See this is why I ask the questions! A wise man once said there are no dumb questions, only dumb answers. Thanks guys!

[7981GS]

Your bike is coming along nicely BTW.

Daniel