Cold and QD's don't mix well

[towerworker]

This is just an observation and something to consider. Rode my bike to work yesterday morning (working P/T now!) and noticed a gas smell when I parked. It was 22 degrees. Gas leaking from one of the QD's. Had to go out again mid day and all was well. But I think it all warrants a closer inspection this weekend. After it warmed up apparently the leak healed itself. The quick disconnects are the original plastic ones and the bike is now 10 yrs old with about 49,000 miles.

[sjbmw]

You are riding again! This is monumental, considering where you have been, and where you are now.
Congrats.

Many years ago, when my dealer was "open", I had the QD's replaced with metal ones at a spring service.
I was advised then that the plastic ones are average at best.

Definitely a job worth doing.

[angellr]

This is just an observation and something to consider. Rode my bike to work yesterday morning (working P/T now!) and noticed a gas smell when I parked. It was 22 degrees. Gas leaking from one of the QD's. Had to go out again mid day and all was well. But I think it all warrants a closer inspection this weekend. After it warmed up apparently the leak healed itself. The quick disconnects are the original plastic ones and the bike is now 10 yrs old with about 49,000 miles.

Whooo Hooot! I am so glad to hear you are able to ride again (even in the frigid temps) on a regular basis!!! Wayne, hope all continues to be well for you and missus.

[Buckster]

Are you sure it wasn't an antifreeze leak?
I think the dealer will change those out, I'm not positive though. I know my dealer wanted to check mine when I came in one time, but I had already switched them to the metal myself.

[Biff's R]

Wayne, I replaced my QD with the metal ones from beemer boneyard. It is a much more substantial set up, and you can update the fuel line and it's clamps in the process. I can send pics if you want.

[captaincable]

Wayne and crew a few weeks ago i took the 97 r850 out to warm it up and air the tires i put it on the center stand still running and was going to grab a cup of joe and as i was walking away i smelled gas , turned around and gas was pouring down on the hot exhaust pipe sizzling, switched the key off in a hurry before the bike blew up, the gas stopped leaking , took the tank off and the hoses which were full of cracks that were deep and following the length of hose,s Rob had warned me about those last year should have listened . it cost less that $10 to replace with new hose's and clamp's
BTW the bike always had a faint smell of gas , not anymore.
I could have easily burned the bike to the ground and my shop/barn if i did not catch that leak in time.
Just saying
Mike

[towerworker]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. Once the weather warms up a bit more I think I will go ahead and replace the QD's as well as all the old rubber fuel hoses. They are 10 years old and no doubt showing their age (as well as me).

[Dr. Strangelove]

Wayne, you need to change those. They are on borrowed time. Chances are they''ll fall apart in your hands. They were a weak link in the fuel system from the get go and now they are suffering through heat expansion and cold contraction.

Glad you're riding. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts after such a hiatus, being on two wheels again. Probably a new appreciation of the freedom? The danger? Share the wisdom accrued. It seems that those life experiences gives you a new perspective that is often clearer.

John

[Ol' Jeffers]

Nice to hear you're back out on the road, Wayne (and working too!).
I changed my QDs a couple of years back with some sturdy chromed brass ones.

[riceburner]

Hope you get it fixed.

FWIW I'm still on the original QDs and fuel lines here in the UK, I seriously hope I can still get low-ethanol fuel for the next few years.

[Sunbeemer]

Glad to hear you're back in the saddle again!

This happened to mine a few years ago when it got cold (well at least "cold" for down here) and it turned out that the inside layer of fuel hose between the plastic tube and the QD had split along its length and weeped fuel where it attached to the plastic tube. Tightening that oeticker clamp stopped it for a few weeks until it got even colder, then I replaced the hoses (and the QD's since I was mucking about there anyway), and no problems since.

BTW, if you replace any of those external fuel hoses, remember to use only the FI pressure-rated stuff (like Goodyear SAE J36R9). If it doesn't cost at least a buck a foot, it ain't the right stuff!

Maybe there wasn't enough antifreeze in there to prevent it from freezing...

[towerworker]

I replaced the QD's last week with a set from Beemer Boneyard. Those are of top notch quality. Installation was easy, I removed the tank to give me more room to work. My hands still suffer from slight numbness but it went well. I did use 250psi rated fuel injection hose on all the replacements. A bit of overkill but not that much more expensive than the lesser rated stuff.

John--to respond to your question..........it is wonderful riding again! My first ride after being off for 3 years was last May. Just a short 10 mile ride home from church. I didn't ride again till probably a month later. I had a few minor mishaps as I was very weak and let the bike fall over a few times. But no damage to me or my R. Mostly a bit of embarrassment! Your bike only falls over when you have an audience. I guess I've ridden about 8,000 miles since then. I have a new appreciation for my machine and more important, I have a new appreciation for life. I was given a new life and a new chance. In the last 16 months there has been 6 men in my area that have been hit with GBS (my illness). Each time a new case shows up at my local hospital the folks there in rehab contact me and I gain a new friend and hopefully I give that person some hope. I feel God has given me a ministry of encouragement and I love it. God is good. Life is good. Riding again is a prayer answered!