Watching the gas pour out

[tarantula]

I was lying on the pavement today, unable to get up, with the bike resting on my left leg. No traffic, nobody around, just me, the bike, the kill switch that I can't reach and fuel pouring out of the fuel cap. Engine died quickly on its own, and I managed to extricate myself (tough when you have no leverage and you are downhill from the bike!) and get the machine back in vertical. Strangely, my biggest preoccupation at that moment was to try to calculate cost of fuel that leaked out. No major damage, only some minor scrapes and a torn off mirror - a low speed spill while turning and breaking on wet leaves. Glad I had full gear and a got an inexpensive lesson.

Alas, is the fuel cap supposed to make a seal? Fuel was leaking out as fast as, say, you could pour something through a drinking straw.

[ikantbreave]

I would imagine there is some sort of gasket in there to prevent that. That is my hope as I just ordered and received said fuel cap gasket for my bike. Glad youre okay and your lesson didn''t cost too much medically or mechanically.

[Dreef1999]

I was lying on the pavement today, unable to get up, with the bike resting on my left leg. No traffic, nobody around, just me, the bike, the kill switch that I can't reach and fuel pouring out of the fuel cap. Engine died quickly on its own, and I managed to extricate myself (tough when you have no leverage and you are downhill from the bike!) and get the machine back in vertical. Strangely, my biggest preoccupation at that moment was to try to calculate cost of fuel that leaked out. No major damage, only some minor scrapes and a torn off mirror - a low speed spill while turning and breaking on wet leaves. Glad I had full gear and a got an inexpensive lesson.

Alas, is the fuel cap supposed to make a seal? Fuel was leaking out as fast as, say, you could pour something through a drinking straw.

I like your style.

[fenderfreek]

Mine doesn't have any kind of seal...I have to be careful not to tip the tank too far when I'm taking it off or it will leak out everywhere. I would think it's made that way in order to vent.

[tkent02]

The vent is the keyhole, it is supposed to have a gasket.

It will drip a little bit if tipped over.

[JAYD]

Gas pouring out

Yes, I too had the pleasure of a low speed fall with the bike lying on my left leg with the fuel pouring out.I believe gas caps have to be vented for vapor release,their not air tight.Glad your O.K.,watch them wet leaves.

[lucabond]

There is a little check valve in the gas cap I assume its to prevent that from happening. Sorry to hear about your spill I hope you and the bike are ok.

[OldVet66]

I have a brand new NOS Tank and new Suzuki gas cap on my '78. Actually it is an '80 tank (all that was available). Getting old sucks, but here is my story. I stopped at the parts store, got off the bike, and realized I was a little close to the line. A large truck was coming into the parking spot next to me. I went to moved the bike , and in the process got the kick stand pushed back a little. When I went to kick the stand down with my right foot, my left leg cramped and buckled. I didn't drop the bike as much as set it down gently to the expense of my left leg with the exact results you got, fuel spilling out of the cap. The check ball in the cap does not really work on these bikes.