Dutchman
06-23-2004, 01:31 PM
Has anyone else experienced difficulty filling the fuel tank, given that the rubber insert at the bottom of the filler neck (not evident on previous BMW's I've owned) is a nice snug fit around the pump nozzle.
This means the filler nozzle forms a nice seal and doesn't allow the tank to expel air efficiently as it fills with fuel.
This in turn creates a fairly large air pocket at the very top of the assymetrically shaped plastic tank, which I would much rather held fuel.
To my way of thinking there's no point having a petrol tank that allegedly holds 20 litres when you can only ever get 18 litres in.........
So, I decided to mod the filler neck, just as I've done on the previous BMW's I've had......
After removing the shiny bits and stuffing rags down & around the metal filler neck assembly, I drilled three small (3mm) holes near the upper lip (shown in the pic. below) and then reassembled the whole thing.
A quick visit to the petrol station proved the exercise a success in that there was no coughing & spluttering petrol all over the bike and I could actually hear air expelling from the holes.
I also managed to get 21.5 litres of petrol in a tank previously drained to within about half a litre of being dry....
I'd like to think that this may have extended the range to about 230 miles, which is similar to my 1150RT, especially useful where petrol stations are few & far between..........?
This means the filler nozzle forms a nice seal and doesn't allow the tank to expel air efficiently as it fills with fuel.
This in turn creates a fairly large air pocket at the very top of the assymetrically shaped plastic tank, which I would much rather held fuel.
To my way of thinking there's no point having a petrol tank that allegedly holds 20 litres when you can only ever get 18 litres in.........
So, I decided to mod the filler neck, just as I've done on the previous BMW's I've had......
After removing the shiny bits and stuffing rags down & around the metal filler neck assembly, I drilled three small (3mm) holes near the upper lip (shown in the pic. below) and then reassembled the whole thing.
A quick visit to the petrol station proved the exercise a success in that there was no coughing & spluttering petrol all over the bike and I could actually hear air expelling from the holes.
I also managed to get 21.5 litres of petrol in a tank previously drained to within about half a litre of being dry....
I'd like to think that this may have extended the range to about 230 miles, which is similar to my 1150RT, especially useful where petrol stations are few & far between..........?