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Cluster F gas tank.....2023 Anniversary model.

  • <i class="fa--xf fal fa-check "><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" role="img" aria-hidden="true" ><use href="/data/local/icons/light.svg?v=1789222567#check"></use></svg></i> Discussion starter Discussion starter Randy Kahn
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Randy Kahn

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Joined
Aug 28, 2023
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285
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Los Angeles
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2023 R18 100 year anniversary edition
Do ALL the R18s have this ridiculous gas tank ( retro I assume) where the gas nozzle does not got directly into the tank, there is a metal bar there so you have to hold the vapor sleeve back around the nozzle to put gas in the tank. And of course get gas all over the G Damn bike unless you are super careful and go slow as hell!!!!!????
 
Well, an alternative is to not have the bar. The nozzle would then go 3/4 the way into the tank in order compress the evil vapor sleeve. This leaves you raising the filler up to get enough fuel. This will require you to again pull back the vapor sleeve to fill the tank... I like that I can rest the filler on the bar and not have to suspend it.

The problem you describe lies with the vapor sleeve. The spilling problem lies with the operator 😎
 
Gr8adv said:
Well, an alternative is to not have the bar. The nozzle would then go 3/4 the way into the tank in order compress the evil vapor sleeve. This leaves you raising the filler up to get enough fuel. This will require you to again pull back the vapor sleeve to fill the tank... I like that I can rest the filler on the bar and not have to suspend it.

The problem lies with the vapor sleeve.
Click to expand...
Exactly! What function does that flat piece of metal serve??? This is 2023 not 1953. ALL gas stations in America anyway have those sleeves on their gas nozzles. The benefit to NOT having the bar is of course the nozzle goes in far enough for the sleeve to recess and allow the gas to flow. It also cuts off the gas automatically .....
Wondering why BMW put that bar there????
What a useless pain in the ass it is!

In my younger days, I would take the bike to a custom speed shop, remove the tank, and remove that bar. But I'm too old to F with it....
 
Randy Kahn said:
Exactly! What function does that flat piece of metal serve??? This is 2023 not 1953. ALL gas stations in America anyway have those sleeves on their gas nozzles. The benefit to NOT having the bar is of course the nozzle goes in far enough for the sleeve to recess and allow the gas to flow. It also cuts off the gas automatically .....
Wondering why BMW put that bar there????
What a useless pain in the ass it is!

In my younger days, I would take the bike to a custom speed shop, remove the tank, and remove that bar. But I'm too old to F with it....
Click to expand...
Read more, post less
 
Randy Kahn said:
... ALL gas stations in America anyway have those sleeves on their gas nozzles.

In my younger days, I would take the bike to a custom speed shop, remove the tank, and remove that bar. But I'm too old to F with it....
Click to expand...
Not all of them .. we still have some 'round here that don't ... good find ENZO! I just may have to get me one too in case I wonder from home ;)
 
Have seen this issue raised on other bike forums, i think it’s a problem with you in America where your pumps are so aggressive and fast. In the UK we can moderate the pump delivery speed by squeezing the handle ‘less’. I could spray fuel everywhere if I was deliberately careless but it’s never been a problem. We do have the same anti theft device in the neck of the tank btw.
 
Rufus said:
Have seen this issue raised on other bike forums, i think it’s a problem with you in America where your pumps are so aggressive and fast. In the UK we can moderate the pump delivery speed by squeezing the handle ‘less’. I could spray fuel everywhere if I was deliberately careless but it’s never been a problem. We do have the same anti theft device in the neck of the tank btw.
Click to expand...
No our gas pumps also have a way to regulate the flow of gas by pressure on the handle. But all our pumps have the sleeve that must be compressed for the gas to flow. It also automatically cuts off the gas before it overflows.
But it only works IF you can insert the nozzle into your filler cap.
 
Randy Kahn said:
Do ALL the R18s have this ridiculous gas tank ( retro I assume) where the gas nozzle does not got directly into the tank, there is a metal bar there so you have to hold the vapor sleeve back around the nozzle to put gas in the tank. And of course get gas all over the G Damn bike unless you are super careful and go slow as hell!!!!!????
Click to expand...
Me to it's a pain in the butt
 
Randy Kahn said:
No our gas pumps also have a way to regulate the flow of gas by pressure on the handle. But all our pumps have the sleeve that must be compressed for the gas to flow. It also automatically cuts off the gas before it overflows.
But it only works IF you can insert the nozzle into your filler cap.
Click to expand...
Ahh, we don’t have that sleeve, just the plain nozzle…..
 
This is what I was going to say. I think the issue is the pump nozzle rather than the tank. In the UK our nozzles are box standard and you have to keep hold of them until you finish refuelling. Once you have reached the top level of the filler neck then the pumps cuts off automatically. We cannot leave the pump unattended whilst we are refuelling. I suspect this neck device fitted in the US pumps allows you to plug and forget whilst creating probably a vacuum between the nozzle and the fuel tank? Probably the principle was to reduce overspills etc but then one size may not fit all in terms of secondary issues that may be created with the innovation. I have the same plate by the way, and I don’t have issues whilst refuelling. The tank mouth is wide enough to allow air to escape and I just keep an eye on the gas level inside the tank and the pump will cut off as soon as the bubbles rise high enough.
 
Vapor recovery system on the pump nozzle... pita.

Been dealing with these for about 20 years or more here in parts of the U.S.; fortunately not required where we now live.

However, it is easy to work with by either:

- holding the bellows back by pushing it against the filler opening, or

- using one of those aftermarket devices to hold the bellows back, or

, worst case,

- pulling back on it with one hand while metering the flow with the other hand.

Does require one to pay attention when filling up the tank... which in itself is really not a bad thing!
 
Anibal said:
This is what I was going to say. I think the issue is the pump nozzle rather than the tank. In the UK our nozzles are box standard and you have to keep hold of them until you finish refuelling. Once you have reached the top level of the filler neck then the pumps cuts off automatically. We cannot leave the pump unattended whilst we are refuelling. I suspect this neck device fitted in the US pumps allows you to plug and forget whilst creating probably a vacuum between the nozzle and the fuel tank? Probably the principle was to reduce overspills etc but then one size may not fit all in terms of secondary issues that may be created with the innovation. I have the same plate by the way, and I don’t have issues whilst refuelling. The tank mouth is wide enough to allow air to escape and I just keep an eye on the gas level inside the tank and the pump will cut off as soon as the bubbles rise high enough.
Click to expand...
The sleeve here in the states does just that, the theory is it prevent fumes from escaping while fueling, and as you said you can leave it unattended and it cuts off automatically. The issue is you have to hold the sleeve back for the gas to flow requiring two hands and hold the nozzle on a angle. It's not easy to see the flow of gas...I guess if I can't handle this i shouldn't be riding.....
 
Randy Kahn said:
Yo Enzo,

Thanks buddy. I just ordered it!! Now I have to find something else to complain about!!
Click to expand...
You still have to be careful with the nozzle. Push down hard to make a good vapor seal and don't go full throttle on the fuel flow. It'll click off nicely.
 
Randy Kahn said:
The sleeve here in the states does just that, the theory is it prevent fumes from escaping while fueling, and as you said you can leave it unattended and it cuts off automatically. The issue is you have to hold the sleeve back for the gas to flow requiring two hands and hold the nozzle on a angle. It's not easy to see the flow of gas...I guess if I can't handle this i shouldn't be riding.....
Click to expand...

I guess if I can't handle this i shouldn't be riding.....
Click to expand...
😂😂

Yup, I see the dilemma. It would be easier for me since the pumps in the UK do not have the sleeve, therefore , one hand can do the job whilst having full visibility over the filler neck in the tank.
 
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