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TOPIC: Re:Gas leak issue
#1027759
Hiptfarms (User)
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Gas leak issue 1 Month ago  
Hey Guys,
I had a weird thing happen with my 99 Roadstar. First, it's completely original as far as mechanics are concerned. I've had it for 12 years and use it infrequently (has just under 7500 miles on it). Lack of use coupled with acl reconstruction surgery had led me to put her up for sale. So, I had it parked in front of my house for a while and ride her 20 miles or so ever so often to keep the battery charged and the oil circulated. Anyway, since I'm in SC and the winter doesn't typically get very cold and stay there for long, I've left the bike sitting out for sale. It had a full tank of gas spiked with about half a can of Seafoam in it. Last week after it got down to 8 degrees and then in the low teens for a week or so at night, I noticed I smelled gas. I checked the bike out and saw a small puddle on top of the tranny behind the second cylinder. Someone helped me push the bike back into the yard and I left it til today when I had time to try to figure out what happened. I assumed I would see a fuel line popped loose but when I pulled the fuel pump cover off, everything looked normal. Why the heck did it spill ALL of its gas out? Could the float have gotten stuck and it all come out the carburetor somehow? (Let me say that I am a 49 year old woman and am only somewhat mechincally inclined. I was pleased with myself when I changed the oil and put the original pipes back on after the guy I bought it from changed the exhaust pipes and didn't do anything to the carb. I at least knew that wasnt kosher.)

So what the heck? I put more gas in and it doesn't seem to be dripping out anywhere. Any suggestions?
 
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#1027760
Hiptfarms (User)
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Re:Gas leak issue 1 Month ago  
One more thing, I told myself that if I haven't sold the bike by the end of the month, I'm going to keep her. So, I need to learn more about all this so I can keep her going. Maybe the local tech school has a beginners class?? Or I guess if I keep on trying maybe I'll learn through trial and error!
 
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#1027761
Jclevesque (User)
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Re:Gas leak issue 1 Month ago  
Could it of been that the fluctuation in temperature cause the full tank of gas to expand and leak out somewhere since it was sitting outside open to all temperatures??
 
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#1027762
Hiptfarms (User)
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Re:Gas leak issue 1 Month ago  
I have no idea. I figured one of you gurus on the forum would probably have the perfect explanation! I looked over it again and still am not sure how the fuel spilled out. It looks a little like behind the air filter there's a tube along the top side that may have been involved but I'm still unsure.
Living in central SC I am not used to super cold weather so I have never had this experience before. Could it have been due to the cold somehow?
 
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Last Edit: 2018/01/22 11:42 By Hiptfarms.
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#1027763
MikeyC (User)
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Re:Gas leak issue 1 Month ago  
I am betting that there was some moisture in the line/carb and the water froze and expanded in the carb and held the needle open and the gas leaked out. To prevent this from happening close the petcock under the tank. I close mine every time I shut the motor down.
How much are you asking for your bike?
There are some meet and greets for the Road Star Clinic down your way that would allow you to meet people from the clinic. Its fun and you could get help with your bike. If you were closer here to Oregon I would tell you to come to our meet and greet in July.
Good luck and keep us posted on what it turns out to be.
 
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Life is tough,
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#1027764
Hiptfarms (User)
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Re:Gas leak issue 1 Month ago  
Your idea may be right. I have never regularly closed the petcock on any of the five bikes I have owned throughout my life. Maybe I should get in the habit!

I was asking 3400 for the bike but would gladly take 3000 for it (I know I may not get it) but if somebody on the forum wants it I would consider letting it go for some less. It has an extra set of Cobra exhaust pipes, a Cobra highway bar and an adjustable Rifle windshield. Just under 7500 miles.
 
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#1027777
Hiptfarms (User)
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Re:Gas leak issue 1 Month ago  
Back on topic, I took the air filter off and it smells like the fuel leaked out through it. Is that likely?
 
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#1027783
MikeyC (User)
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Re:Gas leak issue 1 Month ago  
If I was closer to SC I would buy your bike in a heartbeat, $3400 for 7500 miles, its not even broke in yet.
And yes, gas leaking out of the carb would probably soak the filter. I am surprised nobody else has chimed in on possibilities yet.
I have had several bikes that leak if I dont turn the petcock off, its always disheartening to come out to a puddle under the bike.
 
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#1027786
Hiptfarms (User)
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Re:Gas leak issue 1 Month ago  
Thanks for the help, MikeyC. The fun continues since I tried to get her to start after charging the battery and putting the fresh air filter on. I push the starter button and it tries to kick over but doesn't quite get there. It's almost a wheezing sound that I get. No clicking, no spinning sound. I ran the battery back down some trying maybe 15 times to get it to start. A few times it kicked a couple times but would not quite get to the point of cranking. My battery charger is a "smart" charger that tests the battery while charging and supposedly won't charge a bad battery. It claimed the battery took a full charge. I ran out of daylight so Im going to give it another try tomorrow. I wonder if the fuel pump is out or something else may be gone sideways? That wheezing sound prompted me to open the gas cap but I don't think it wasn't venting. Maybe it was trying to get gas back into the carb? Still learning....
 
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#1027803
MikeyC (User)
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Re:Gas leak issue 1 Month ago  
Hmmm you might want to start a new thread for that. Did you have the choke pulled all the way out? Next is the decompression solenoid, it is on the right side of the bike down low under a gray cover, when the starter is depressed it operates the solenoid which pushes a spoon and opens the valves so the starter can turn the motor over. But, if the bike has been sitting awhile the starter might just be a little stiff. There are some easy test to do. One is to take a hot wire from the positive on the battery to the terminal on the starter, if it turns right over you know its not the starter. Make sure its in neutral because you are bypassing all safety switches.
 
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Life is tough,
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John Wayne
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