R1200R Canisterectomy

[FredRydr]

I am removing the charcoal canister so that I can have access to my front shock absorber for set-up of my suspension. I am trying to do this without removing the fuel tank.

The canister is out, along with the hose to the left throttle body and the electric valve in that hose. I have plugged the left throttle body.

Which hoses must remain on the bike and be routed somewhere, and what must be plugged? I realize the top vent hose must hang down below and behind the engine, but which hose is it?

Is it okay to leave that electrical connector to the valve unplugged?

Fred
'07 R1200R

[deilenberger]

Fred..

Hmmmm.... thought we'd discussed this.

It's actually pretty easy.

Find a 1/4" male-male hose connector. Take the tank vent hose off the canister and use the 1/4" connector to hook it up to the vent hose from the canister.. then just plug up the electrical valve with a plastic cap. You can leave it connected. If you really want to - you could also remove the hose from the left throttle body and cap it off.. but it's not really necessary.

To figure out what hose is which (since I forgot - but there is a web pic of them somewhere with them labeled..)

- The vent hose for the tank - blow into the hoses. One will start to resist you blowing into it after a bit, and when you stop WHOOSH gasoline smelling air back out at you. If you open the fuel tank filler - it will no longer resist you. That's the tank vent - the important one.

- The vent hose going to the back of the bike - comes out behind the left foopeg on my bike. Blow through it - you should be able to hear or feel it coming out the other end.

- The fitting on the vent - pretty obvious - plug the one that went to the canister.

Not that I'd EVER do anything like this except to have it out of the way to adjust my front shock.. and once I'm done adjusting it - you can be certain I'll put it back on, even if that's years down the road..

[FredRydr]

Thanks, Don. We talked about removing it, but not the details.

I picked up a connector at Advance Auto to connect the vent and drain hoses; nothing is cut. I wonder if it matters if the hose doesn't have a steady slope downwards?

I also got a little box of plugs plugs to cover each end of that valve and left it connected electrically to avoid generating any faults. My BMW mechanic was looking forward to seeing what would happen if left disconnected. And as I'd written above, I already plugged the left throttle body so it's just like the right one.

Now I can get at the Ohlins shock in the front!

Fred
'07 R1200R

[deilenberger]

Thanks, Don. We talked about removing it, but not the details.

I picked up a connector at Advance Auto to connect the vent and drain hoses; nothing is cut. I wonder if it matters if the hose doesn't have a steady slope downwards?
Shouldn't matter - it's a vapor vent. Mine doesn't slope entirely downwards.
I also got a little box of plugs plugs to cover each end of that valve and left it connected electrically to avoid generating any faults. My BMW mechanic was looking forward to seeing what would happen if left disconnected. And as I'd written above, I already plugged the left throttle body so it's just like the right one.
If I got ambitious - I could try it on my bike since I have the GS-911 and could reset it if it stored a fault code.
Now I can get at the Ohlins shock in the front!
Yup. That's why we're doing this. Dunno if you noticed - the mount for the canister would be awfully easy to adapt to mount a Strebel air horn.. not that I'd do that.. probably.. :dance
Fred
'07 R1200R

[GregoryT]

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I don't want to scare anybody, but probably everyone using this website knows that tampering with emission-control systems on legally registered vehicles in the U.S. is unlawful. Before starting any modifications on your bikes involving emission-control you should probably check this out first: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/roadbike/420f03045.pdf

[deilenberger]

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I don't want to scare anybody, but probably everyone using this website knows that tampering with emission-control systems on legally registered vehicles in the U.S. is unlawful. Before starting any modifications on your bikes involving emission-control you should probably check this out first: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/roadbike/420f03045.pdfGreg - if I read this correctly - on page 8 - it specifically mentions the charcoal canister as being a California requirement ONLY - and states that the EPA is not requiring this.. So - if I go to ride in California - I will probably be done adjusting my front shock by then and will have the canister back in position.

How closely do the new rules follow the California
rules?
The new rules directly parallel the California model with several exceptions.
First, we proposed regulations to control permeation emissions - a
type of evaporative emission in which fuel is lost through permeation of
plastic fuel tanks and fuel hoses. California currently has more stringent
evaporative emission control regulations, which in some cases require
the use of a charcoal canister on the motorcycle to receive fuel vapors.
We expect California to maintain these provisions. Second, we proposed
standards for motorcycles with engines less than 50cc displacement. Like
the current federal regulations, California does not regulate these twowheelers,
though we expect they will ultimately choose to harmonize
with federal regulations for these vehicles. Third, we proposed to alter
the timing, making federal standards effective after manufacturers have
had two years of experience meeting new emission limits in California.Italics added for emphasis.

[jimabmw]

Wont matter unless they start emission testing bikes.

[FredRydr]

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I don't want to scare anybody, but probably everyone using this website knows that...(Insert scary thing here that noone knows).
Oh brother. :rolleyes

Fred

[darcym]

And yet here in California, any Used bike from the other 49 states, not having a charcoal fuel canister, is legal to be registered in California as long as it has more than 7500 miles on it.

There are no provisions in California for inspections of any motorcycle prior to licensing or registering, unless you're buying it from a dealer.

There are no requirements to replace any charcoal canister or the absorption materials inside it. Charcoal is an effective absorbent material but will also absorb other vapors and does not have an unlimited life span. You could conceivably have a charcoal canister that is ineffective after 6 months or a year, whether you were using the bike or not.

Or, you could simply have an empty canister, hanging there in all it's ugliness, and no one would know the difference. :gerg

Yes, I'm in California, and I'm all for making sure the environment is protected, but this requirement, specific to motorcycles, is just rediculous. It means that certain bikes aren't able to be sold here. It means that manufacturers have to make a whole different fuel tank for bikes sold here if they do. Even though motorcycles can't possibly contribute as much air pollution as do thousands if not millions of Mexican registered cars and trucks which are allowed to be driven in this state.

I'm not anti-regulations, but lets have them be fair and make some sense. Please.