'01 Sprint gas tank vent line question

[Hokie]

I decided to check my plugs tonight and I had the tank off for maybe the 4th time since I've owned the bike. Never paid much attention to where the two black (appear to be vent) lines go, but tonight as I was putting it back together I noticed the end of these hoses aren't connected to anything. One has a valve in it and the other does not. I am 99% sure the one with the valve is a vent line and just needs to be routed to down through the frame/engine, but is the other black line also a vent line that connects to nothing? It is also ran down there, but just wanted to make sure before putting it all back together.

Also, does it matter which of the two lines goes on which nipple on the tank? The one with the little valve was originally on the rear connection on mine, but thought while I was asking I would ask about this also. These are the two small black hoses that connect to the nipples coming straight out of the bottom of the tank (above all the other lines) There is a 3rd black hose that comes out vertically and goes to the airbox.

I can take a picture if it will help, but hopefully you all will know what I'm talking about as you all have been a HUGE help in the past!!!!

Thanks in advance,
Shane

[PaloAlto]

Shane,

My manual (for the '02-04) shows the roll-over valve on the line in front, not rear. The purpose of this one-way valve is to let air into the tank but keep gas from running out if the bike goes over.

The other hose is the overflow from the gas cap opening. It allows any water that gets around the cap to drain directly out and not go in the tank. You can confirm which hose is which by blowing into the hoses to determine which is connected to the small hole around the gas cap collar.

In any case, many people remove the roll-over valve - it can become clogged and then causes a vacuum in the tank as the fuel pump pumps out the gas while riding.

The third nipple, on the pressure regulator, is left hoseless on the newer bikes, in spite of the manual's drawings.

Bern

[Hokie]

AWESOME!!! Thanks!

-Shane

[ExKellick]

Just a little note. When I took my tank off I noticed that the tank drain was horribly corroded around the nipple. This was a stupid design fault on Triumph's part - they put an aluminium nipple into a copper captive, nut effectively creating a battery the minute water came down through the hole. Mine was so corroded that the nipple was half gone and the hole completely blocked. Thankfully I don't normally have to park in the rain but if I did I would have most likely ended up with water in my petrol - bad all round.

Bern's advice is good in that as well as knowing what is what on you bike, blowing this line out periodically is probably not a bad thing to do. I do now just to be sure as any blockage will be a problem in the wet eventually.

Take it easy - oh and be careful with those horrible little 'o' rings when reconnecting the fuel lines.