In all seriousness, is it normal to have an odor of fuel about the bike that are 'natural' and not an indicator something is wrong? It is not strong, but noticeable enough to...well...notice. This is my first bike so I am not experienced enough to know whether this is normal with anything full of fuel and has a pressure relief cap.

I have checked the bike over and there are no leaks. It is a 2008 with ~900 miles and has been rejetted and tuned (runs pretty well now) and it was this way before any work or service as far as I recall.

I think it is just fumes from the gas cap that are finding their way out when I ride and the fuel is sloshing about in there, but wanted to see if there are any "things" I may want to check or be keeping an eye out for that could be causes other than the pressure relief from the cap?

I have read other posts where people ask about the smell of fuel from the airbox, but I have not checked mine yet to see if it is coming from there (there only or there also), so should I check that and if I do smell it there, what does that mean?  Light a match to get a closer look and then report those results  ?

Thanks.

Serowbot wrote on 09/02/12 at 17:57:24:


The carb was ultrasonically cleaned and rejetted ~200 miles ago so I want to think it is all in good shape (I know, anything mechanical can go out at any time).  Have checked the petcock vac line and it's good.  I will have to get into the airbox and report back.

Not with the stock jetting...

Serowbot wrote on 09/02/12 at 18:13:51:


It was rejetted up a size. I don't know the size (lost the paper and I need to call them to ask), but I had the dealership do it while they were in there doing the initial service and cleaning the carb. The bike would only run on choke so we discussed and decided a rejet was the solution, to which it did resove the choke issue and it runs fine now.

Serowbot wrote on 09/02/12 at 18:44:19:


Thanks Serowbot.  I will give it a little puff, but I won't inhale  

Seriously though, It all seems fine after checking the lines and I rode the bike this afternoon and checked the filter just now, so if it were to be soaked with fuel I thin I would have noticed it.  Your comment that it is all connected to the carb after all was my other thought, so I guess on these hot days it just makes for tank pressure.

I will keep an eye on it and get back in there if it seems to get worse...but it is a motorcycle, not a space ship, so a little fuel vapor shouldn't kill me...

Hey Stew I got my LS650 not long ago myself and went through the same thing, bugged out alittle when I smelled gas near the bike. Went through everything like you and just came to the conclusion that it's part of the personality of the bike  

That "smell of gas" is the reason California bikes, and all cars and trucks for the last thirty years or so, have the charcoal cannisters. The smell of gas is, in reality, evaporating gasoline being vented into the air. The  charcoal cannister adsorbs this evaporating gasoline and keeps it from getting into the environment. Then when the engine is started, fresh air is drawn through the cannister and into the air intake, which purges the gasoline from the cannister and burns it in the engine.

ToesNose wrote on 09/03/12 at 04:59:59:


Thanks for the 'support' in my madness. I am an over-analyzer, so I need to enjoy it and stop worrying.

thumperclone,
Thanks for the note on the vent/drain tube going out the bottom of the airbox. I will check and make sure that is free and clear.

ralfyguy,
I know exactly what you are referring to and wondered if that may be a source for some odor as well, and maybe it is.

Overall, I think everything is good-to-go from the sounds (annd smells) of it.