Hi there, This is my 1st post having just bought an 07 blade. Had the bike a couple of weeks and was convinced there was a strong smell of petrol in the garage where the bikes kept. Ended up lifting up the tank as the smell was strong underneath and I think I've found a leak coming from the breather outlet spigot that's brazed to the tank. I've taken the hoses off the overflow and breather and when the tank is hinged back in place I can see a small leak coming from the weld that holds the breather outlet in place. Has anyone ever had an issue with there petrol tank before as I can't believe there's a fault on a weld on a 6 year old bike. Bike's only had two owners and only done 11,000 miles so it's not even been abused and it's my 1st Honda and wasn't expecting this kind off issue. Any advice would be appreciated.
Welcome Ade. I've not heard of your problem before, but it could indeed be the weld. Just make sure it's not travelling down from further up the tank and then running off the breather outlet. Have you also tried blocking off all the pipes just to make sure that they are not leaking and that the tank isn't over full so that it leaks into the overflow?
Araldite epoxy resin will sort this, fixed a punctured fuel tank on the underneath of a Morris Marina car many years ago, it held for 2 years until I sold it. I see they now do a rapid steel version. Also used it on a leaking immersion tank in the past, so will work with heat too.
Yes just found out by chance online that there was a recall on the 07 blade as the vent outlet pipe from the tank was too long on some bikes and this could cause stress to the weld and make it crack. Apparently there was a recall letter sent out here in NZ but no idea why previous owner didn't get sorted, will contact Honda tomorrow to see if can get sorted under warranty. Couldn't believe having just bought the bike and having this happen, lucky I didn't end up doing a Colin Edwards on the Aprillia Cube!
Yes my RR6 was recalled when I had it. Info on UK recall here :- Recall Details for HONDA MOTORCYCLES - CBR1000RR-6 & CBR1000RR-7
If you don't have any luck with Honda fixing the tank under warranty, another cheap fix for you could be to use chemical metal or similar, it comes as a grey clay tube bar with a black core! It's safe for use with harsh chemicals such as fuel and I have used it to fix metal banjo fixings on fuel lines before with great success! I do hope you get it sorted soon and don't be discouraged off your new Honda due to this relatively small issue albeit involving fuel it's still a small problem!
Spoke to the Honda dealer today and there waiting for answer of head office as it's been a few years since the recall, hopefully I can at least get a replacement tank and i'll fit it myself if needed as not a major job.
