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[lilcoot]

As many here have read, I recently traded my '12 SG for a '13 Ultra, and have noticed quite a few differences in how they run.

I noticed another thing while riding last night.  On the old SG, I could smell gas fumes all the time while riding, even at 80+ mph.  It was constant, and sometimes it was so strong, it was irritating to breath.  I just thought it was something we had to live with on Harleys.  Yesterday while I was riding, I realized I couldn't smell any gas fumes on the new '13 Ultra at all.

Has anyone else had an issue with gas fumes while riding?  I mean from the bike, not the rider.    My '12 SG did it from the beginning, before any mods.  So far, I haven't been able to smell any fumes while riding the '13 Ultra.

I think sniffing all those gasoline fumes has given me dain bramage.    That would explain a lot...

[wnogood]

Just a generic guess, but I'm sure the tank is vented somewhere. If that vent was plugged or pinched, it could cause excessive pressure inside the tank (sitting right on top of that v-twin heater) and the next place for the tank to vent, is out of the cap. That could certainly produce plenty of fumes aimed right at the riders airspace.

[Fired00d]

Could be the difference of the SG having the flush mounted pop up caps and the CUSE having the screw in cap w/door covering it.

I believe I have read recently that some bikes w/the flush mounted pop caps have had problems with actual gas leaking by those caps.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[GMR-PERFORMANCE]

Would look into the cap, and vent lines. Not a good thing to be huffing fumes while riding down the road.. I am betting some one could get hurt doing that.

[2k]

Sounds like your SG had a serious fuel problem. From the way you said it ran, to huffing fumes?? Something was FUBBed.

[grc]

As I've noted in a couple other threads recently, I believe Harley has a much bigger problem with those flush gas caps than they've led people and the EPA to believe.  These reports started showing up several years ago on the Softails with the flush caps, and eventually Harley announced an emissions recall last year after blowing it off for several years.  The recall covered Dyna's and Softails but made no mention of the Street Glide with what is basically the same cap and filler pipe designs.

Any fumes or actual liquid fuel escaping through the cap is a problem, and not just an emissions problem as Harley got away with on their recall.  It is also a safety problem and should have been a safety recall.  Think I'm exaggerating?  Let that liquid fuel slosh all over your pant leg and then tell me that isn't a safety problem.  How about fumes that cause you to get dizzy and possibly crash?

Jerry

[brassspike]

Wow! Glad you posted this. Mine smells like gasoline when I park it in the garage after a ride. Full tank or not. I don't smell it riding though and there is no liquid leaking. It's going to the dealer tomorrow to have the saddle bag amp re attached so I'll mention it to them. I really love this bike and I'd hate for it to blow up ....and take the house with it!  subscribed!

[murphy]

If you are smelling it that strong when your riding and even worse after you park it you've definitely got some type of venting issue, I'm with Jerry on this one.

If your storing it in your garage I'd suggest you upgrade your home fire coverage with the insurance co pronto!

[lilcoot]

Wow, I'm relieved to hear that was not normal.  I was afraid I'd asked another stupid question.

I never saw actual liquid gas leaking out, but I did notice a small oily dirt ring around the chrome trim ring of the gas cap between every fill up.  In retrospect, it was probably from a small amount of gas constantly leaking under the trim ring and dust sticking to it.

It seems like every day I find something else to like about the Ultra.    I'm glad I traded.

Maybe this explains all the dancing pink elephants and unicorns I'd see during long rides.  And the blackouts.      

[jerseymann]

I have a 2010 street glide cvo when i am riding the bike and after i ride or park the bike   i have a gas smell also. i found the vent tube from the gas tank was dripping gas on to the pipe. i never seen gas comming out of the tube till i touched it a drip came out. so i extended  the hose under the bike and away from the pipe. no more gas smell when riding or parked.

[grc]

I'd like to clarify something.  Not all fuel smells are a sign of a defective fuel system.  The bikes have a vent system that includes a hose that should run from the filler neck area down through the console toward the seat and ultimately down below the frame.  On a California bike with evaporative emissions requirements, the other end of that hose attaches to a carbon cannister, just like on your car or truck.  But for the rest of us that hose just releases the fumes to the atmosphere.  When the pressure in the fuel tank reaches a preset level, the cap releases the pressure into the vent system.  But it isn't supposed to release it directly at the cap. 

It's quite common on a bike without the carbon cannister to have a fuel smell in the garage after you park your hot motorcycle.  The hot engine heats up the fuel sitting directly above it, and the pressure builds to the point the system vents some of the pressure.  It tends to be worse with a full tank and less so with a nearly empty tank.  It might be a good idea when parking your bike to leave the garage door open for awhile, especially if the tank is full and the engine hot.

Jerry

[brassspike]

I'd like to clarify something.  Not all fuel smells are a sign of a defective fuel system.  The bikes have a vent system that includes a hose that should run from the filler neck area down through the console toward the seat and ultimately down below the frame.  On a California bike with evaporative emissions requirements, the other end of that hose attaches to a carbon cannister, just like on your car or truck.  But for the rest of us that hose just releases the fumes to the atmosphere.  When the pressure in the fuel tank reaches a preset level, the cap releases the pressure into the vent system.  But it isn't supposed to release it directly at the cap. 

It's quite common on a bike without the carbon cannister to have a fuel smell in the garage after you park your hot motorcycle.  The hot engine heats up the fuel sitting directly above it, and the pressure builds to the point the system vents some of the pressure.  It tends to be worse with a full tank and less so with a nearly empty tank.  It might be a good idea when parking your bike to leave the garage door open for awhile, especially if the tank is full and the engine hot.

Jerry

That's what mine does. Stinks for a while then it's over.

[Twolanerider]

Used to have a Road King that for some reason was always a bit predisposed to doing that.  After having it a short while got in the habit of cracking the fuel cap just before pulling in the garage.  A quick vent outdoors and no more stink indoors.

[HILLSIDECYCLE.COM]

Not to make light of this, as a gas-anything, can have negative repercussions, but we had a client at one time tell us that when he would pull up to a stop sign/stop light he could smell "tire air", and had us checking his tire pressure more times than we should have. 
Scott

[woode]

Used to have a Road King that for some reason was always a bit predisposed to doing that.  After having it a short while got in the habit of cracking the fuel cap just before pulling in the garage.  A quick vent outdoors and no more stink indoors.

I've had the same issue with all three Harleys that I have owned.  I've gotten used to it, but it drives my wife crazy.  Gonna try your suggestion at the end of the next ride.  Thanks for the tip!