I just replaced the stock peanut tank on my '95 Sporty with a stretched sport bob style tank.

Like the stock peanut, the new tank has a stub on the right side which is the bottom of the fuel vapor standpipe, which sticks up through the tank and stops just under the gas cap. The factory manual says this standpipe is for venting gas tank pressure. Makes sense so far.

However, on the new tank, that stub came from the tank manufacturer plugged with what looks to be welding or brazing. I assumed that if I just left it plugged, and used a vented gas cap, that I'd be okay.

But this morning, after a short ride (pretty much the first miles with the new tank), I came back to the bike and found a small puddle of gas under it. I unscrewed the gas cap, and a big hiss came as the pressure was relieved. The gas was coming from the fuel line attached to the petcock, which is on there tight. I rode home with the cap a little loose, and there seems to be no gas leak as long as the tank can vent.

The cap I'm using is the same cap that I had on the stock tank. It seems to be an aftermarket cap that the original owner had had on there. The cap has a small pinhole in the underside, which I thought was the sign that it was a vented cap. But I'm not sure now.

So, my question is this: can I leave that tank vent plugged and just get a cap which I *know* is vented? Or do I need to drill out that welding from the plug and attach the vapor line to it like it was on the stock tank? Why would the tank manufacturer plug the vapor vent if the customer just has to drill it out again?

Oh, and this is my first post here; thanks in advance for your replies.

Brian
1995 XLH883 (bought used in July 2007 with 3500 original miles)

 

Well brian I have had 2 different stretched sport bob tanks on my 1200. I have had no issues with hissing or anything like you have experienced. The first tank I used a vented low profile cap with a "tank protector" ring and the second tank came with the vented and non-vented caps.
Both tanks had the nipple for the vent tube brazed shutfrom the manufacturer and I had never changed that.
Almost forgot, welcome from Metro Milwaukee!

 

Thanks for the reply and the welcome.

So I suppose the conclusion is that the cap I'm using is not vented, right? And if I get myself a vented cap, I should be okay?

 

In my personal experience, yes.

 

Welcome...I too have a '95 883...it has a custom tank and to me it sounds like you need a new gas cap...Hey how about a few pics? I would love to see your '95!!

 

Wow, I really like your '95, Redhead! I'm not a tassles guy myself, but the tank, pipes, seat and A/C really complement your ride well. I'll get my sig & photos set up soon, but in the meantime, here's a quick shot of what my bike looks like now. I'll be raising the drag bars up a bit soon and adding a decal/emblem to the tank. As all of ours are, she's a work in progress.

 

Vent that cap an you are good to go.

 

Yep!Just change the caps.Looks good,belloc.My tank was also bare for awhile.It needed something,so I just slapped on two $3 decals for now.

 

+1