Ken Robitaille
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05/22/99 |
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Your article on getting off to gas up is totally correct but much too mild. As a former Power Squadron instructor and sailor as well as a biker for over 25 years we are taught to treat gasoline as what it really is - not a flammable liquid but a high explosive. Mixed with air one (1) pound of gasoline has the explosive force of seven (7) pounds of dynamite. What do you think produces all the horsepower that drives these exciting things we like to place between our legs? I have seen 5 different boats explode over the years, including one close enough to feel the shock wave through the water and see the owners body and bits and pieces of the vessel emerging from the rising fireball fifty or more feet above the waters of Lake Erie. Amazingly he survived. If you are on your bike while fuelling and spill fuel your clothes will become soaked. The tiniest spark from static electricity can and will ignite the cloud of fumes that you are the center of. This is not an uncommon source of ignition on boats with a fume filled bilge. At this point you will attempt to get away from the bike dropping it with the gas cap open, dumping large quantities of gasoline onto the fire at which point you are now in the center of a most spectacular fireball. Need I go further?? If the bike is on the stand and you are off it, any fire will start much more slowly as there will not be gasoline pouring from the open tank giving you time to grab a fire extinguisher and put it out with no more than cosmetic damage to the paint job. Oh yes, you did note the location of the fire extinguishers before you even opened up the gas cap didn't you? By the way, I will not own a boat with an inboard gasoline engine. I have a 35 foot sailing vessel with a diesel engine. The fuel will burn as intensely as gasoline but cannot explode. Thank you for what I think is the website that has the potential to save the most lives of any on the web. I guess it has to be a little like having good lighting on your bike, you will never know the collision you were not involved in because somebody saw you! Good sailing and good riding.
Ken Robitaille,
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Leland Kornhaus
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07/01/97 |
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A few more thoughts and reasons to dismount. Thoughts first: As long as you are killing the ignition, removing your helmet, think about also: Unlike many larger bikes, weight is of concern enough to require a chain drive. This should be inspected at _every_ fueling and can not be done from the seat. It is likely that the chain should be lubed at every fill up, and possible that an adjustment is waranted. (Owner's manuals require 200 mile lube intervals - close to the range of many small bikes' fuel tanks.) Also, if you have one, be sure the master link clip is present. Tires also need inspected, not just for proper inflation, but for cracks and ageing (particularly around the rim), and for potential punctures, embedded glass, or nails. Since both tires and chains are easiest to check when the bike is on the centerstand, the "even bike for maximum filling" can be achieved (contrary to owners manual advice) if the rider is intent upon so doing. (Without risking gas on the clothing.) The gas station is also a good place to check engine oil level, brake fluid levels, and H2O resiviors on water cooled bikes. Finally, it is likely you must dismount to pay. Even with the advent of pay at the pump. Long rides in the summertime require plenty of fluid replentishment for the driver as well as the bike. Since you need to get off anyway, do it before filling. Keep the rubber side down! -Leland
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Mark Johnson
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05/06/96 |
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>How many people sit on their saddles while gassing up? I do. That way I know that I have the bike supported on both sides, that the tank is upright, and that I can top it off properly (when heading straight out to burn it up).
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Speed Gray
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05/06/96 |
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I normally remain in my saddle while filling the tank. I hold the bike up
off
the side stand to make the bike level.
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Woody Halevy
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05/06/96 |
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>How many people fill their tanks while sitting in their saddles? Is there anybody NOT doing that ? In the last 25 years and god knows how many gassing up, I cannot recall even once doing it when I'm off the saddle. I guess I'm too lazy, however, on a second thought, it could be a good habbit to check the tires for problems etc. when filling her up, so I'll have to undo the helmet, cb heat....
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