Rainwater getting into tank

[Eman24]

I presently live in Southern California and am moving to Portland in May.
I use my K75 to commute to work where there is no covered parking and with all the rains we've been having this Winter, I noticed some water around and under the gas tank lid when I opened it up yesterday. Is there something I should do about this? I use the bike every day and fill up the tank about every third day. Also, is there a particular type of cover I should get for Portland's wet weather? Oh - - and one more thing - can the K75 stator handle a heated vest & gloves, if so any recommendations?? Thank you all very much in advance.

[PGlaves]

I presently live in Southern California and am moving to Portland in May.
I use my K75 to commute to work where there is no covered parking and with all the rains we've been having this Winter, I noticed some water around and under the gas tank lid when I opened it up yesterday. Is there something I should do about this? I use the bike every day and fill up the tank about every third day. Also, is there a particular type of cover I should get for Portland's wet weather? Oh - - and one more thing - can the K75 stator handle a heated vest & gloves, if so any recommendations?? Thank you all very much in advance.

Make sure that the hole on the left side of the opening is clear and allows water to drain out. Be sure the holes in the cap, gasket, and tubing through the tank all line up. You may need to take a long slim wire and poke it all the way through the tank (inside the tubing) top to bottom to clear any obstruction. If this hole and tubing is clear any water should drain right out, straight away!

[dbrick]

Oh - - and one more thing - can the K75 stator handle a heated vest & gloves, if so any recommendations??

The Ks have at least a 460w alternator (models after ~1992, I think, have even higher capacity) so the bike should be just fine with heated gear. In Portland's current climate, you'll need it!

I don't know what model K75 you have. I rode a K75S for eight years, and the weather protection was useful but certainly not near that provided by an RT or even an RS fairing. Shoulders and arms got cold. I would suggest you consider a heated jacket liner (that is, including heated sleeves) rather than just a vest. Gerbings is the best-known name, and really warm. AeroStich's Kanetsu gear is pricey, and a vastly better as an off-the-bike jacket...but it is not nearly as warm as the Gerbings. I've had both.

I've never used heated gloves, as I'm turned off by the wires. Heated grips are nice; especially when combined with handguards on the bike, your hands can be toasty without the wires.

[Eman24]

Thanks very much for all your help!

[Kayseventyfive]

I use my K75 to commute to work where there is no covered parking and with all the rains we've been having this Winter, I noticed some water around and under the gas tank lid when I opened it up yesterday. Is there something I should do about this? I use the bike every day and fill up the tank about every third day.

Ditto on making sure the drain tube is clear.

Additionally, a strip of black tape protecting the key slots for tank and ignition can save some grief with the lock tumblers in the future. Use a long enough strip to just peel it back to use.

Also, is there a particular type of cover I should get for Portland's wet weather?


After having a Covercraft cover turn to rags, I now have a Dowco Guardian. Size medium fits well. Been pretty durable so far.

[rideoregon]

Welcome, in advance, to the Specific Northwest! I too ride a K75 in that area, and I can tell you that heated grips and heated clothing are awfully nice. Like the old wag said, "Electric clothing is like sex. You could do without it, but why would you?" Plenty of amperage on the K75 to accomodate whatever you get.

The type of cover you get depends on how much outside time the bike is going to get. The instrument cluster and switch gear are susceptible to moisture-related problems over time, so keeping the bike as dry as possible is better than not. But I ride in whatever, and the bike just keeps going and going.

[Gilly]

If the notch in the gas cap is on the right side (as seen from the seated position) someone put the cap on backwards, the cap hinge should be towards the rider, not towards the front of the bike. It's easy to put it on correctly, just 4 screws, but make sure the gasket is put on correctly, as Paul pointed out, the notch, plus the notch in the rubber gasket, plus the drain hole in the tank should all line up.
Gilly

[MTSweger]

I use my K75 to commute to work where there is no covered parking and with all the rains we've been having this Winter, I noticed some water around and under the gas tank lid when I opened it up yesterday. Is there something I should do about this?

Two words: tank bag.

Having owned more than a couple K bikes over the years, I always found that keeping a tank bag mounted all the time tends to do a good job of preventing water from entering through the filler cap. (Multivarios are great!)

Paul's advice is good too: Make sure that drain hole isn't plugged up! :gerg

Oh, and the ol' turkey baster trick works well to remove any water from your tank. Simply run the tank to near empty, remove the filler cap, and suck out the remaining fuel and water (there will be water, if only from condensation). Always a good thing to do this as part of your annual maintenance, like when changing the fuel filter.

-MTS

[jcridge]

Two words: tank bag (MTS) . Couldn't have said it better...

Four more words: Tank Bag Rain Cover :thumb