Fuel Tanks and Fire

**2door** · #1 10-29-2009, 04:28 PM

Guys,
This is a strange one but one that needs to be shared here because all of us, except our electric compadres have fuel tanks and gasoline to contend with.
An old firefighter buddy of mine, recently retired, knowing that I have motor bikes, called me and relayed a story he had read about in a firefighter newsletter he subscribes to.
A man was working on his motorcycle and had removed the gas cap. Presumably to keep dirt out and to keep the fumes in, he covered the hole with a strip of cellophane tape and when he was ready to put the cap back on he ripped the tape off and, apparently, there was a static spark that set off the vapors. He was not badly burned but his bike and garage were destroyed by the ensuing fire. The man was not smoking and there were no other ignition sources in the vicinity of the bike so static spark was ruled the culprit. It is not known if the tape or the man's hand generated the spark but with that in mind I plan to be a little more careful whenever I have the fuel tank open for any reason. This is probably one of those 1 in a million cases but still something to be aware of.
Tom

george_n_texas · #2 10-29-2009, 05:18 PM

They make you attatch a ground cable before you pump fuel out of a tanker truck for the very same reason.

the willi · #3 10-29-2009, 07:45 PM

also guys dont have your cell phones in pockets or be using them while fueling this is good story tobe talking about because you will not here about these storiers unless you are in gas bus. or fireman etc. or envirmental work. TO everyone here at this site, your family is counting on you to safe! HAVE A SAFE TRICKER TREAT!!

Kevlarr · #4 10-29-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the willi

also guys dont have your cell phones in pockets or be using them while fueling this is good story tobe talking about because you will not here about these storiers unless you are in gas bus. or fireman etc. or envirmental work. TO everyone here at this site, your family is counting on you to safe! HAVE A SAFE TRICKER TREAT!!

Urban legend.

snopes.com: Cell Phone Use at Gas Pump

bairdco · #5 10-29-2009, 07:59 PM

i was thinking (luckily, just thinking) about fire the other day, when i installed a new clutch cable. my favorite method of making sure the end of the cable doesn't fray, is to put some heat shrink tubing on it.

with a lighter.

and it's right underneath the air filter.

the filter has a sponge filled with gas inside of it.

think about that the next time you're torch soldering or heat shrinking that cable end.

(i was also smoking at the time, since i had a lighter in my hand...)

Technocyclist · #6 10-30-2009, 01:52 AM

living dangerously? must have good insurance...

noco · #7 10-30-2009, 02:46 AM

dont use matches to see how much fuel is left in the tank!!!!

omegaunderground · #8 10-30-2009, 09:28 AM

Great post 2Door, good looking out

Its also a habit of mine to never fuel my bike in the garage, or mix my gas in the garage as well. I always open the garage door go outside with my bike and gas can and do it there.

george_n_texas · #9 10-30-2009, 01:28 PM

don't use a vacume to clean up a fuel spill! (Motor's brushes make sparks)

fasteddy · #10 10-30-2009, 03:44 PM

Rode with a bunch of bikers in the early 60s and one guy used to check his gas with a flash light. Worked great until his buddy stuck his head into the tank filler to take a look too.

Should have put the cigarette he had in his chops, out first. It was not pretty.

Steve.