Smell of petrol around the bike: where to look for the cause

Petrol should never be noticeable in the garage or where the bike is parked. It is a fire hazard, so don't ignore the smell even if there is no puddle under the bike.

• Switch off the ignition, remove any ignition sources and ventilate the garage. Don't start the bike until you find the cause.
• Inspect the area under and around the tank: the fuel tap, hoses, clamps and cap. A cracked or hardened hose shows dry cracks and traces of seepage.
• Check the fuel cap and the drain and breather lines. A blocked line or a worn seal causes smell and leaks when the bike leans.
• On a carbureted bike, look at the overflow lines and intake boots, since excess fuel escapes there. On a fuel-injected bike, inspect the fuel rail, connections and fittings.
• Wipe suspect spots with a dry rag and check again after a few minutes to see where moisture reappears.
• The fuel line is under pressure, and cracked hoses or a damaged rail can't be patched. That needs a workshop, so don't ride until it is fixed.