| Author | Message | ||
     Whippetlovr |
It seems I'm dripping quite a lot from my fuel vent tube after a ride... had my bike up at our local Cruise Night last night and it was a bit embarassing coming from my brand new bike, surround by non-drippy Japanese bikes. I rode it about 200kms beforehand, wasn't a hot day at all (about 16 degrees Celsius), and the thing dripped like crazy. A constant drip-drip-drip for about 5 minutes after we stopped. I did a search on here and found several threads, but none answered my specific questions, being: How much dripping is 'too much'?? Is it a real cause for concern, or just a nuisance issue? What IS the cause of it? Vapours condensing? Is this "california canister' that everyone speaks of an OEM part that I can order from the dealership? Does is completely SOLVE the issue? And COULD it be covered under warranty? (brand new 09 bike, 500kms on it!) Thanks guys! | ||
| Aeholton |
Canister stops dripping problem and reduces smell. Although, now that weather is starting to get pretty warm here in Florida the gas fumes are starting to get bad again. My wife likes me to park my bike outside the garage for a half hour or so to "de-stink" when I get home. | ||
| Hogzilla |
Call Buell/HD customer service. Get an approval (which they will give you) take it to your dealer with the approval reference number and get the canister installed for FREE. I did it and so can you!  The cause is heat buildup from the frame straddling the motor. Motor heat gets to the gas, gas expands and comes out the tube. (Message edited by hogzilla on April 26, 2010) | ||
| Whippetlovr |
Thanks!! Hogzilla- is your canister now under your seat? i.e. will I no longer have the tube on my footpeg (so that I can remove it)? | ||
| Hogzilla |
My canister is under the seat. Not sure if it's supposed to be there or not, but the tube still comes down to the rear peg bracket. I need to trace the tube and see if it connects to anything. My guess is they got lazy and left it. | ||
| Pilotvtail |
Mine is leaking, but my dealer said that Harley is no longer approving the mod. I'm going to write a letter to their legal department. | ||
| Hogzilla |
Talk to Customer Service, not the dealer. I was approved in less than 5 minutes on the phone. Can't recall how many times I've heard something completely incorrect from the dealer. Unless something changed in the last month. | ||
| Jredx1 |
I did just that, got a reference number that I gave to my dealer, they said they called HD with the reference number and I still didn't get approval. Thankfully I have a pretty good dealer and they are taking care of it for me on their dime. | ||
| Milleniumx1 |
The tube at the rear-passenger peg comes off (or at least it should) once you've got the canister installed under the seat. Hogzilla is correct - Call H-D customer service and they will give an authorization number. My dealer is excellent, and they couldn't get approval when they called since the CA canister wasn't original equipment on 49-state bikes. But when I called H-D direct(as a customer), problem solved. Mike | ||
| Ratgin |
Whippet, Canada is a little different Go to your dealer first and then call HD CSM in Toronto, My bike has been renamed Puddles as it spews out fuel once warm. Once dealer confirms you have the rerouted tube and it is still leaking they will also call HD CSM in Toronto. I had no issue getting a kit from them since kids bedroom is over the garage. | ||
| Pilotvtail |
Hogzilla, Thanks... I called Customer Service and they said they don't issue reference numbers, that the dealer would have to diagnose the problem and get it authorized. I went to the dealer and they said they have been trying to get authorization on another customer's bike and they could not get it. I have an excellent, supportive, and knowledgeable dealer, so it sounds like biz as usual at the fine MoCo. So I'll get a letter off to their legal department to get on record about the safety issues of a bike spitting out large quantities of fuel in my garage every time I ride it. Hopefully someone with a brain will figure out their potential liabilities. It's not like there is not a fix. They just don't want to pay for it, which poses an interesting liability problem. | ||
| Whippetlovr |
Ratgin- I wondered if I'd have problems since I'm in Canada. My closest dealer is in Barrie... 3.5 hours away. The dealer I bought the bike at is in Quebec, 13 hours away. I'll give Barrie H-D a call and see what they say. | ||
| 03fatboy |
It will be interesting if this issue caused a fire sometime down the road. I am sure that would make them realize there is an issue when someone sues their ass off. HD is getting shittier by the day. | ||
| Hogzilla |
Pilotvtail, that blows. Sorry to hear that. Yeah, bring out the guns and start writing letters. Make up a good story about personal safety, fumes, kids, puppies, bunnies, ya know. They must be tightening down on this as an "optional" fix. | ||
| Hogzilla |
Whippetlovr, may be worthwhile to just purchase and install the can on your own. I think total cost for parts is around $40 USD. (not sure how much CDN) But 7 hours round trip + time at the dealer, gas, time... it may be money well spent. | ||
| Whippetlovr |
HZ- oh for sure, if its going to be a huge pain in the arse, requiring the dealer to see my bike first, then I'll just order it myself for SURE. $40US = $80 CAD at a dealership, for sure... even though our dollar's more or less at parity. Go figure | ||
| Ratgin |
Whippet, Call Barrie HD and also call HD CSM in Toronto. I found both HD USA and Dealey to be very helpful when i called and explained my concern. Dealey Called back the next day and contacted the dealer to give the ok. Time the drop off when both the Harness recall parts and the can come in. mine have been on order a week so far. (Message edited by ratgin on April 26, 2010) | ||
| Milleniumx1 |
I guess I'm fortunate that my dealer comes and gets my bike and trailers it to their shop whenever it needs anything. I wonder in H-D figured out there had been a run on these canisters since more than a handful of us started calling. I owe my $0 fix to Hogzilla ... Thanks again!! Mike | ||
| Hogzilla |
My pleasure Mike! Glad to share what little I know.  |
