Gasoline smell

[Thorby]

Hi guys, I pretty much take it for granted but it has occurred to me to check it out with you.  The backpack I always carry in my back rack is pretty well impregnated with the smell of gasoline and I am picking it up on my clothes as well, from riding my bike.  This has happened ever since I bought my bike 9 months ago.  I haven't noticed an obvious fuel leak.  I'm pretty sure its just the gasses venting out the fuel cap at times.  Is this normal?  How many of you are experiencing this?

By the way, I kinda dig my gasoline cologne.

[Lucky 1]

Better start checking for a fuel leak.

If it is in a garage where a gas hot water heater is
located it could cost you your house or your life.

A good visual inspection is where i would start.
And of course your sense of smell.

[cdaiscool]

Check your petcock hose. I know on mine, it wasn't crimping too well. It holds the hose on, but vapors can escape from it.

[Thorby]

Lucky 1 wrote

Better start checking for a fuel leak.

If it is in a garage where a gas hot water heater is
located it could cost you your house or your life.

A good visual inspection is where i would start.
And of course your sense of smell.

Like I said, no obvious fuel leak.  If there was one, I'd have poor mileage.  I'll give it another check today to make extra sure.  As for the fumes igniting, that's a good point,  I'll be careful.  It's not in a garage but I'll be aware not to let people smoke around my bike.

[Thorby]

cdaiscool - Actually, I can hear the gases escaping through the gas cap, at times.  Not sure how normal it is or if the gas cap should make a tight seal against vapors.  Maybe it's safer to vent vapors off than have that pressure in my tank on hot days?

[seestheday]

Pretty sure that should be a tight seal.  Sounds like you might need a new gas cap or washers to fix it.

Does the gas smell go away when it sits in your garage not running, or does it get stronger?  If it goes away it could be a problem only when the bike is running (e.g. running super rich)

[shinyribs]

Mine was doing the same thing. Never really saw a leak so I chalked it up to exhaust smell from an old bike. Then I noticed one carburetor bowl that was a little moist. Never noticed it until of started collecting dust on it. New bowl gaskets and the smell left. I think Sees ' is on target about the gas cap, too.

[Thorby]

It could well be all of the above since my old bike is behind in maintenance.  It could be running rich since I haven't done any maintenance ever to the carburator.  I don't trust anybody (yet), even myself, to take the carburetor apart and give it its due maintenance (cleaning, replace wearable parts, tune).  Maybe when I finally take care of that, my bike's new performance will impress me.