Howdy folks. I was removing my fuel tank completely in order to take it to a paint shop for some scratch repair and when I unclipped the main fuel line about an ounce of fuel spilled out. With it, I am pretty sure, was a good bit of sediment ranging up to a few mm in diameter. Is this a normal thing? Is there a screen downstream of that fitting which would have been holding that stuff, to be barfed back up when the line is undone?

Thanks in advance.

p.s. The scratches went to metal so the estimate is five hundred bucks, the decals and tank pad have to be replaced so I am paying for those as well. Should be good as new when done though.

Is there a screen downstream of that fitting which would have been holding that stuff, to be barfed back up when the line is undone?

I don't think so. There is no disposable fuel filter on the Gen1 14. The filter is in the fuel pump which is inside of the fuel tank. I recall threads about interest in placing high pressure fitting into the fuel line so a disposeable fuel filter could be placed there. I never noticed any sediment in my line when I unhooked it. I always store with treated regular gasoline though I don't know how much difference it makes. I think I remember Hub saying something about premium leaving a white residue after is sits a long time.

Maybe while you have the tank off, you should take the pump out and look at the filter. Some members have replaced that. Romans did at least once.

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It is possible that the fuel simple leaked onto a pile of sediment that was under the tank but it didn't look like it at the time. Can't be sure at this point. Maybe it was nothing.
Thanks!

I'm not sure if this is at all helpful, but I have several bikes and I often get sediment down stream from my filters and it is almost always caused by fuel lines breaking down from the ethanol gasoline. If your particles are indeed a few millimeters in diameter, it's some sort of a solid. In my old bikes, just a speck can and will hold open a float needle.

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I am pretty sure, was a good bit of sediment ranging up to a few mm in diameter. Is this a normal thing?

It is possible that the fuel simple leaked onto a pile of sediment that was under the tank but it didn't look like it at the time. Can't be sure at this point. Maybe it was nothing.

This is like one of those HELP my bike won't start threads and someone asks, "did you check the engine kill switch?" LOL happens all the time!

Yeah, I have found stuff on the undertank tupperware every time I removed the fuel tank and there is always chunks of gravel. There is a little divet in the bottom of that round well where the fuel pump sticks down into and that thing is always full of chunks. That's probably what it is a for.

I often get sediment down stream from my filters and it is almost always caused by fuel lines breaking down from the ethanol gasoline.

I have to use ethanol gas but I have not noticed this problem with my bikes yet. it's only been 6 years though. I would think the sediment would be black like the sediment from MC brake hoses in fluid reservoirs . But who knows what color a fuel line is inside?

The SM does recommend replacing all rubber parts periodically and that includes the fuel line. Maybe I should consider changing mine since I have the tank off. You would have to remove the throttle bodies assy to get the other end of the hose unclipped.

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