Leak Amidships

[HD2Rocket3]

The last day or so I have had the "Rattley, Tinkley" thread going and I have no idea if it's related to this leak or not.

But anyway, Monday morning is when I first started hearing something and usually as I was beginning to accelerate in each gear, seems more pronounced in the upper gears. I rode it to the dealer yesterday (about 120 mile round trip) in a useless attempt to figure out what was wrong, brought it home and parked it. Today I went out to uncover it and saw a leak under the left side just behind the engine. I have never seen so much as a drop of anything on it anywhere. The leak is maybe a couple of inches wide on the ground, black and oily but smells like gasoline. There is a black rubber tube hanging there that has always been there (just aft of the engine), I assume it's an overflow of some kind. But just behind this tube is a shorter tube of about the same diameter hanging down that I have never noticed before and it looks like this is where the leak is coming from since it's oily on the bottom end, I assume it's not supposed to be hanging but should be attached to something underneath. Anyone know what this could be? Please? Never a minute's trouble with it and now I'm afraid of starting it for fear of %&*^&#ing something up.

 

[HD2Rocket3]

I looked again and I guess that second tube is an overflow of some sort too, I don't see what the loose end could attach to. The leak on the ground has pretty much dried up so I guess it was gas except it was black and oily looking. What little residue on the ground that is left is black, but generally dry.

 

[ewswartze]

those are both overflow tubes - from what - not sure, hopefully someone else comes along and explains it with more precision, but for now ---ride on friend ride on

 

[ewswartze]

ok thinking more - one is gasoline evap canister. the other ?????

 

[TheKid]

If the dealer rode it, they may have "got on her" a little. Causing drips out the vent tubes. Other than that I have no idea. Wouldn't stop me from riding. Anytime you are doubtfull, always check the vital signs(oil, water)
Good luck
Kid

 

[rocket3jjd]

My 08 has three tubes under there

oil gas and antifreeze ?

just guessing don't know for sure keep an eye on it

 

[HellFire]

Fuel tank vent tube, fuel fill ring over fill drain tube and battery vapor/acid escape tube. Those are the three on my '08. I don't see why they would be any different on another year other than the fuel tank vent tube might go through an evaporative charcoal canister prior to opening to the ground with the rest.

It was probably fuel and the "oily" was the tar on the pavement softened by the raw gasoline.

The only liquid from those tubes would be water, gasoline or battery acid. Water would be from the fuel fill over flow if rain or water got past the outer seal on the filler cap. Fuel can come from an over full or sloshed gas tank, or if gas was spilled in the filler neck while filling. And of course battery acid from the battery vent tube if the bike was tipped too far or the battery bubbled while charging. Nothing that comes from those tubes would be the cause of engine damage.

*****Pig9r pointed out to me that the coolant overflow is there too on stock bikes and the battery vent depends on what type battery you use.*****

 

[zimtuff]

Isnt one of them for crankcase oil?? The fuel vent pipe will emit vapour or fuel on a hot day if left in the sun with a near full tank.
Ive had oil drip from one of them.
I think there is also a drain hose for the starter motor under there.
Its all fairly normal,unless you have copious amounts gushing out.
There are lots of threads on this if you do a search

 

[Pig9r]

Two of them are from the gas tank, one is coolant over flow. The crankcase vents into the airbox.

They will puke gas any time the gas in the tank heats up and expands. Just parking in the sun will do it on mine.

 

[HellFire]

Two of them are from the gas tank, one is coolant over flow. The crankcase vents into the airbox.

They will puke gas any time the gas in the tank heats up and expands. Just parking in the sun will do it on mine.

Pigr is right, you may or may not have a battery vent depending on the type battery used and the expansion tank overflow is there on stock bikes that haven't changed the tank around. Mine has four tubes instead of three but some of my stuff isn't where it used to be.