Gas Odor on New California Custom - Overfilled tank?

[lencap]

Greetings -

I recently bought a California Custom - still breaking it in.  I noticed a strong gas odor after filling the tank and letting the bike sit for a few hours.  When I filled it I did "top off", knowing that's not recommended.  After the fill I rode for 30 or so miles.

Is the gas odor likely related to overfilling the tank?  Will it clear up or do I have to do anything to clear it up?

Thanks for the help.  Almost 400 miles in 5 days, 225 to go for initial break-in!

[rodekyll]

Probably.  You may have filled various vent and drain hoses and it could be a day or more before it settles down.

[sib]

When you were filling the tank, if any gas splashed into the rain drain moat that surrounds the filler hole, it will flow straight down the drain hose and onto the ground.  The odor will dissipate quickly.  Simply filling the tank to capacity shouldn't cause any leakage, as long as the filler cap in on properly and the evaporative emissions control system is intact and working as intended.  If you've done a "cannisterectomy", then all bets are off.

[lencap]

Thanks for the help.  It's the first time I fully filled the tank since buying the bike last week.  I don't know what a cannisterectomy is, but if I did that, what do I need to do to fix it?

All I did was stop filling when the pump clicked off, and then I raised the pump in the tank to the top to get a bit more gas into the tank.  When I was done the gas was still below the top of the neck.  Is that enough to create a problem? 

[Zoom Zoom]

I generally fill mine to where you described. (The smallest diameter there below the fuel cap.) I cannot say I have ever noticed fuel odor and I usually fill the bike just before returning home. I have a station 3 miles from the house.

As for removing the charcoal canister, although I have taken it off all my other bikes in the past, I have had no reason to remove it from my Eldo. As long as everything is working properly, I won't mess with it.

In your case, maybe it was a fluke, or there is something going on. Considering it is brand new, my suggestion is to contact the dealer about it before trying a bunch of things yourself that might pose a warranty denial. After all, you do have a warranty.

John Henry

[Sasquatch Jim]

 Stop eating at Taco Hell.  Maybe gas odor will subside.

[bobbyfromnc]

Stop eating at Taco Hell.  Maybe gas odor will subside.

LOL

[lencap]

Thanks for the help.  Success!  After riding for 60 miles or so there is no longer a gas odor!

Just to be safe, I did stop eating Taco Bell too! 

It's been a week since I bought the Custom and I couldn't be happier with the bike.