Triumphrat

redcoatuk · 09-23-2009, 05:12 AM

Hi,

For the second time i have had a plastic fuel tank union go. This time i noticed a leak on the garage floor and when i checked it had already snapped. Could anyone suggest how i get the snapped union out of the tank? Do they thread in or do i need to dismantle the bottom of the tank?

Any help would be appreciated.

Gary

Fuel Union

bigred900 · 09-23-2009, 09:20 AM

Ooh thats not nice is it.

Both of mine snapped while taking the tank off a little while ago. Luckily I had metal replacements from quick couplings ready and waiting to be fitted.

Yes, they thread into the tank. No need to take the pump assembly out (unless you really want to

). How much plastic is left in the thread on the tank? If there's enough to wedge a large flat screwdriver into and twist out the remaining lump then try that first.

If not then it's down to a fine flat file and tweezers to cut and pick the bits out i'm afraid. Can take a couple of hours to do properly. Drain the tank or at least stand it on its nose to keep the petrol away from where you're working.

Then replace them with unbreakable metal couplings. They're not expensive and make the bike a whole lot easier to live with.

Good luck, hope it goes well.

Wayne

redcoatuk · 09-23-2009, 09:41 AM

Thanks bigred. I ordered some from my Triumph dealer today. Seems the Triumph ones are now metal.

There is not much of the plastic outside of the tank, i think the file is going to be used. The part chap at my local dealer says they are normally locktighted in there too. Deep joy.

Gary

winger · 09-23-2009, 03:22 PM

http://tigertriple.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6585

Medic09 · 09-23-2009, 07:51 PM

Check if there was a recall on those fittings. The Sprints had a recall on some plastic fuel fittings, and mine were replaced by the dealer. I paid a little extra for metal fittings, but they did all the work. Of course, I suppose just now you can't exactly ride it to the dealer, eh?

winger · 09-24-2009, 03:40 AM

There has never been a recall on the plastic females(there dam well should have been) only the male,and that was done years ago.

aisurffish · 09-25-2009, 03:25 PM

the dealer replaced mine under some sort or recal.. no cost one day in and out....

crowtherstephen · 09-26-2009, 02:49 PM

See here is the jack N ory...

Pulled up at a petrol station this morning - brimmed the tank with 20 litres of the UK's finest super unleaded fuel.

Rode 3 miles to a meeting point, ready for what will be our riding groups last session of the season. A nice run down the A28, and the A272 through to Petersfield.

As i pull up, BING, on goes the enegine management light..."BUGGER" i say, lets turn off, and restart - BING on the light comes again...... "i know, lets take the battery off and see what that does"... so we do this, and guess what BING on comes the light - "**** - **** - **** - **** - ****" i say..

Wait, "what the sodding hell is that", say my friend - "hmmmmm" i say " looks like water", i sniff my fingers "hmmm - oh ****, its fuel"

After a frantic 5 minutes looking for the busted pipe, we discover that one of my coupling has busted.. off come the seats, and side panels - YEP confirmed the plastic crap has busted.

3 hours later, and two recover trucks (thanks to the RAC statistics department sendinga transit van first, rather than teh flat bed) i pull onto my drive way, drain the tank, remobe the tank, and take a closer look - BANG!!! there goes the second coupling. I pop over to my local Triumph dealer and say "bugger me, your plastic is ****e - please can i have metal ones" he replies " nope - we dont do metal ones", so i walk away with two plastic ones... thinking i know my ole chums on Triumphrat.net will help out... and guess what, seems i am not teh only one to have this issue...

Both mine have snapped, so i think its a file and screwdriver and pinchers to get the mess out.. Have looked at the links and i think i will return the plastic ones to Triumph and buy the metal ones. Both male sections look fine (red and silver bits) so i hope they will be ok with the new metal sections - i will replace the O rings on them as a matter of course, and i suppose while the tank is off, i may as well give here a service too.....

Oh well - atleast i was parked and not doing 110mph when it started pissing out!

Medic09 · 09-26-2009, 11:57 PM

It IS a good thing you weren't going anywhere when it ran out. When that happened on my Sprint, I was exiting the interstate. The gasoline was leaking under my rear tire. Did a bit of a skid trying to maneuver into a nearby motorbike shop. Thought for sure I'd lose it.

crowtherstephen · 09-27-2009, 06:00 AM

I was very lucky - it was going to be a big riding day too - the chaps i was going to go out with didnt get back until 9pm last night - that was a full 12 hours of riding...Nutters

Clearly somebody was looking over me! just going to pop into the workshop and see if we cant get the thread of the unions out of the unit.. bike all stripped down now too...so a good clean, polish and service awaits here + have a nice new shiney chain and sprokets to go on..

Lets get these fingers dirty!