Re: Petrol smell when cornering
 

Although the bike "leans over" when cornering the forces are still straight down through the wheels so it's no more likely to leak fuel then than when upright. The braking before the corner is more likely to be the cause of any fuel getting thrown up towards the cap. Do you know if it makes a difference if the tank is full or half empty?
The simplest way to check if this is where the "leak" is coming from is to tape a piece of cotton wool or similar (tampons work well) onto the end of the vent pipe under the bike, go for a short ride, and check it. If it's saturated with fuel that's your problem.

You can do the same with the float bowl overflow pipes.

Re: Petrol smell when cornering
 

I have a feeling that your explanation isn't what is happening? I think that cornering enthusiastically does not change the position of the petrol in the tank from when you are riding straight and steady. I think it is the accompanying acceleration/braking that is causing the leakage and so thought of in this way, it becomes easier to imagine the fuel sloshing around testing the seal of the cap etc.

EDIT: Drat, beaten to it by Red Herring!

Re: Petrol smell when cornering
 

I'll try the vent pipe tomorrow, I was thinking of cable tyeing a small food bag over the end! And I can see what you are saying about the braking moving the petrol more than cornering,

If the drain pipe through the fuel was corroded, with a full tank I would expect evidence of dropping fuel when stationary, ( which is not happening, )

So I am guessing ( hopeing ) it is the cap seal!

It doesn't seem to make any odds wether it is full or under half it seems to be the enthusiastic riding that makes it do it

Re: Petrol smell when cornering
 

Talking about tank breathers/overflows. Does the SV have a roll over valve?

Re: Petrol smell when cornering
 

here's another idea. i'm going out on a limb here but i would say that your shutting the throttle before entering a corner, tipping the bike in then cracking the throttle open on exit?

Re: Petrol smell when cornering
 

Throttle shut while braking before bend,
Throttle cracked just before starting to tip in ( I find this makes the bike feel more stable than a shut throttle )
Gradually building throttle through the apex
Punching out of the bend with quite a bit of throttle wound on,

I find the bike is happiest cornering like this, I try to make the changes in throttle smoothe and progressive.

I'm told the smell is as I have just tipped the bike in, so either on cracking the throttle or just before when shut

Re: Petrol smell when cornering
 

i'm guessing its unburnt fuel rather than a leak. someone behind you smelling fuel would have to be a serious leak and would leave stains or clean marks from where it was leaking. with you shutting the throttle its more than likely spitting some fuel into the exhaust and when your getting back on the throttle its either partially igniting it in the exhaust or the pressure is pushing it out the end.

if the bike was leaking you would smell it when you stopped before it had a chance to evaporate and even then the bike would have a constant fuel smell about it.

Re: Petrol smell when cornering
 

Or you're carrying your petrol in a carrier bag slung over your bars?

Seriously, Bibio is right (no change there then) if it was a fuel leak it is properly overpowering and you'd probably see other evidence, bike on fire beneath you (who was that? was it BSB?).

Re: Petrol smell when cornering
 

Taylor McKenzie in BSB at Snetterton!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9TXsf6nPRI

Sod that!

Re: Petrol smell when cornering
 

Does it pop on the overdrive/engine braking?