How do you fill up without spraying petrol (gas) everywhere?

Hi there,

since purchasing my Silverwing of dubious heritage I've filled up about three times. Each time I have had trouble getting fuel in at any significant rate. I've tried different angles, different depths, tilting it. No matter what, I end up filling it at a crawl to prevent fuel splashing back.

I take longer to fill up than any cars at the moment. Get there in the end but it's hardly the point.

Anyone else have this problem?

Anyone else solved this problem?

Thanks

Giles

Do the pumps in South Wales not have automatic shut-off? I did not ever have this problem on the SilverWings and have not had the problem on my GoldWing.

I will add I never tried to "top off" the tanks on the SilverWings. I stuck the nozzle in to the bottom of the basket and let 'er rip. When the pump shut off, I let the nozzle drain and removed it.

I would have thought that would be the case but the neck of the fuel tank seems to back up almost instantly, triggering the auto shutoff.

I haven't looked up close but there seems to be a basket in the fuel neck - I'll give it a poke and see if it comes out.

Encouraging to know that it should work normally though, thanks.

There is a bar across the bottom of the fill neck tube -at least on US spec scoots. That bar prevents the fill nozzle from going going deep into the tank. It also kind of contributes to splash back if the fill stream hits the bar square on. Try angling the nozzle down or up to avoid that bar. And yes, if you want a full tank it's going to take a bit longer. While I've never timed my fill ups I do fill my tank all the way to the gas cap, wait a moment until the tank vents and the fuel level drops, then add more fuel. Often I end up doing that 'top off' procedure several times before I'm satisfied that the tank is full.

That 'top off' procedure is caused by the tiny vent line leading from the high point of the tank down to the evap cannister. It takes 'forever' for the air pocket caused by that long tank fill tube to vent out so that more fuel can be added. If the tank vent were, say 1/4" I.D. and vented up and to the atmosphere filling the tank would be much faster. HTH


Tim

Look inside the filler hole bud, about 1 1/2" down there is a plate with a hole in, that hole is the correct size for the delivery nozzle on an EU unleaded pump, if you get the nozzle located inside that it should stop your splashback problem

It's been months but just wanted to say thanks to everyone - and slap my forehead.

Once I was aware of the plate/collar for the nozzle I gave it a good wiggle and am now refuelling like a F1 team. Kind of.

Funny the things you can't work out

It does take a bit longer but I always squeeze the last drop I can fit into the tank. I usually put the scooter on the centerstand when filling it which makes it a bit easier to get the most fuel in the tank. I will admit of the SW, Burgman 650 and my current 650GT the Burgman had the best fuel filler. Putting the tank filler on the left rear of the bike's rump like a car was a good idea. The BMW has the worst filler in that the lid over the cap can break if it's not latched when you open the seat. It's also awkward being on the opposite side of the step through compared to the SW.

I like the fuel filler in between my legs, I can stop and fuel up without ever getting off the scoot.

Lazy, yes!

Center stand helps you eliminate some splashing and gets you more fuel in the tanks. It seems like pump pressures are higher than I remember, so getting a slower fill rate is tough.