I'm passing on this info. to make others aware of a potential serious failure mode. It only takes about 5 minutes to investigate and could save your a$$.
I smelled raw gas on Friday morning just after I got off the freeway on my way to work. I assumed it was from the old beater pickup in front of me at the light... didn't give it a second thought. Went to go for a spin at lunch, put her into neutral, turned on the key, and my left leg got soaked with gas. Upon further inspection I found that the high-pressure fuel line (approx 60 psi) had worn through due to abrasion on the connector attached to the frame on top of the rear cylinder, under the fuse block (see photo). It unnerved me a bit; I had a bad visual of my bike going up in flames while I was riding! Fortunately that didn't happen.
The best part is that I had it fixed that day. Glad I got the extended warranty! I called the dealer, they drove out to my work, picked up my bike, took the bike and me to the service department and replaced the fuel lines immediately. The whole repair took about 30 minutes. I was pleasantly surprised they had the parts in stock. Apparently, HD had them buy a bulk lot of V-rod parts and these fuel lines were included.
The new fuel lines are shaped much nicer, they are low against the cylinder head and there's plenty of room between them and the connector. In the photo, I was pushing them down to get a good view of the damage. FYI, My bike is a 2002, ser. no. ending in 801910, so it's one of the earlier ones. Perhaps they realized this problem and changed the shape of the hoses. BTW, these hoses are about $22.00 ea. Has anyone else had this or similar problem?
I wrapped my lines two years ago after seeing this thread and I checked them the other day and the bolt was rubbing through the covering again. I ended up zip tying them away from the bolt this time and I added a rubber bolt cover on the left rear coil bolt so it would soften it. I thought that was worth mentioning since the problem is the abrasiveness of the bolt.
I appreciate his thanks, but it was not my tread. I did find some abrassion on mine, but the idea was not mine. Glad who ever posted it did so. Can't beat 1130 forum.
roger
I have an 08 vrscaw; had the fuel smell, but it was the breather hose...my Harley Tech said they pop off all the time. He not only changed the clamp, he also added some adhesive. I was getting an oily gas mixture running down on the left side and rear cylinder. I thought a gasket was involved. Glad you didn't become Ghost Rider II!
I had a strange but not as dramatic experience with my 2003 VRSCA a couple of weeks ago. After 6 years I only had about 1500 miles on it (had 2 other bikes and a scooter), so it was "new," although since it wasn't ridden too much, things atrophy- like the tires, battery, and... my fuel line! I was doing a test ride before my first longish (3 day) tour with this bike, to make sure everything was working. After about 25 miles, it started to run really rough, stalling, and I had to keep the throttle open to 2-3000 RPM just to keep it running. To make a long story short, that 60 PSI fuel pump pressure was causing the fuel line to come off. It took a lot of time to even find the problem, and then a lot of special adhesive to keep that line holding on the pump. Now I have ridden several hundred miles and everything is fine, but it was really strange when it happened. Fortunately I didn't have any gas spraying out onto my leg or anyplace else.
My left fork seal broke after I had chrome sliders put on, there was a small puddle of fork oil next to the bike, but that is another story for another time....
Yes thank you all for being on this site with all your wisdom and knowledge. I check my fuel lines (04 B) and no problems. Thanks again to all that are on here.
I just realized my '08 NRS was leaking gas and spurting it on my exhaust heat shields. I, too, thought I was smelling exhaust from traffic, until I saw the stains on the shields. How dangerous is this and shouldn't there be a recall? Sorry I replied before reading the whole thread.
I smelled gas when parking the bike, and couldn't see any fuel leaking. In Kansas City at the last homecoming, figuring there would be lots of experts about, so I pulled the airbox off but everything was dry. Finally took a close look at the top of the tank, and realized if I wiggled the high pressure line coming out of the tank, I could get a little fuel to show up. Vigorous wiggling, however, caused the nipple to actually crack. Good thing I trailered to KC, or it would have gone home in someone else's trailer for the third time in a row. Had to replace the top of the fuel tank.
I'm not real sure what you're asking but I don't know of any fuel line issues with 2010 or 1011 VRSC bikes.
This thread is for VRSC models made before 2004 only. The fuel lines on current VRSC bikes haven't been an issue. Posts 186 and 190 discuss problems with breather hoses and shouldn't be in this thread.
I know this thread is old, but I just bought an 04 A in Dec. And I'm gonna check this out on my bike tonight. Hopefully the original owner already took care of this if it was an issue, if not I'll make sure I fix it. Thanks again for all the info here about the problem.
Hey guys, I checked out my fuel lines and sure enough there was some slight wear in the lines. I used a cable tie with light tension to just pull the lines away from where they were rubbing. Doesnt seem like it will ever be an issue on mine but I'm glad I checked it out anyhow. Thanks for the info here!!
I know this is an old thread, but wanted to add to it. I have an '04 I bought used and have been riding since March. This just happened to mine. About 12k miles, and it looks like it's been a long term thing and finally wore a pinhole all the way through.
Unfortunately, the dealers are trying to sell me a full kit for replacement, rather than the lines I need. Quick fix, but eBay probably gets my business on this one.
Never too late to check. If you've got the cap off, look for wear through the line covers and replace as necessary.
Janazar.. Thanks for reviving an old thread. I went out and checked the lines on my '03 and sure enough it was starting to rub through the outer sleeve.
I cut 2 three inch lengths of 3/8 hose and put one on the lower hose where the rubbing took place and on the upper hose I slid that under the frame cross member below the fuse box in case rubbing was taking place there.
Need help with fuel pump inspection, or removal, gas only coming out of one fuel line ? Bike wont start but will run on starting fluid....was in storage for 2 years...could it be the injectors, fuel pump , or what ? Please help !!!!!
Where did you disconnect the lines? If you disconnect the pressure line you won't have any fuel on the return side. Are you having trouble with the bike? When you turn the key on can you hear the pump run?
Yes I did take both lines loose...had a brain fart...thought for a minute fuel should come out both nipples on fuel flange...yes the pump pumps out the outgoing nipple...but not really very robust...got a feeling its way under 50 psi...will rig up a pressure gauge and hose tomarrow and get an accurate reading....bike sat for awhile in storage...put fuel treatment in tank...not much fuel in there though...ment to fill tank and forgot....then started bike up and sucked treatment into lines and injectors. ..probly ruined fuel pump...ran for 10 min. Then quit....wont start but will run on ether...any ideas ? Anyone ?
With lines connect remove cap shine flashlight in tank turn on key and run switch look in tank for misting fuel. Most likely a split supply line from pump to flange
Good thread and info for new owners (like me) of old bikes.
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