My Rocket in Flames on the Launchpad!!

[MrPix]

You may want to 'lawyer up' before talking with Triumph. Good luck and glad you're doing well.

I'm not a fan boy of Triumph, but common sense should previal here on who is at fault.

IMHO Triumph are not liable here despite the crappy design, this event is a really fair waring to all of us owners that we need to watch what is happening when we are putting this highly flammable fluid (flashpoint of only approx 250°C) in to our machines, just inches away from very hot (possibly up to 850°C) headers. There are plenty of warnings in the user manual against over filling, and advice to fill slowly and to the bottom of the neck only to avoid incidents such as this.

From what the OP posted (suggest taking the description or his posts here and on FB down if I was the OP considering 'lawyering up' ) because the level of fuel clearly was above the bottom of the neck at the time of the accident. There are really only two possible causes that I can see from the information provided by the OP or even a combination of the two:

1. due to user error

I gave a quick wave to my buddies who were hanging out at some of the outdoor tables and continued to pump. After another 10 seconds I wondered how much I was putting in and looked up at the pump then back down to the bike to notice that fuel was just flooding out all over the tank.

or
2. the fuel station is at fault regarding a pump shut off failure.

From all the descriptions from the OP, the pump mechanism is more likley at fault, it did not auto shut off when it was supposed to and fuel tank was over filled, so Triumph at the very least are off the hook legally speaking (I would presume).

I always watch the filling and slowly does it after getting a bit too much of a splash back on my first fill up, it was a eye opening suprise!... and I still have the occaisional splash over when I or the minimum pump flow rate is slightly over zealous or if the pump shut-off is not sensitive enough, but on most UK pumps they are very sensitive and shut off correctly (thankfully) but I'm very tentative now.

I'm glad the OP is alive and well and that his skin will eventually recover and hopefully will get back on a bike of his choice when recovered and ready.

EDIT: Thanks to the OP for posting, it gets you thinking about taking small things for granted for sure.

 

[maurice]

I agree, it sounds like the station is liable for faulty shut off.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

They only need to be partially negligent and it trickles down to the big money. In this case, the gas station or possibly Triumph. You can walk into a grocery store and see a sign that says wet floor but slip anyway and the store has you cashed out before you hit the floor. Sad but true.

 

[mexican]

Holy chit!!!!!!

 

[Phenix3939]

My question. is why didn't the pump shut off when the fuel came back to the nozzle? It's usually automatic when the fuel reaches the nozzle it shuts off.

My guess is the gas flow was too strong causing the fuel to not settle and trip the sensor. That in addition to a shallow insertion for the nozzle.

 

[freshprince]

This is absolutely worthy of a recall.

If you haven't yet, NTSB should be notified, with your complete chronology including injuries, and the photos.

Agree 100%

 

[TURBO200R4]

the gas station may tell a story (video)

 

[Phenix3939]

the gas station may tell a story (video)

They have and seen the video, so has the police detective for fire and arson. I've been contacted by Wawa corporate which says the pump manufacturer is at fault. The pump manufacturer wants to take a look at the bike.

The circle of blame has begun. I don't take offense because that's how you handle things like this as a business.

I'm just glad I had legal representation sorted out in the first few days. It's the last thing I need to focus my energy on.

 

[wjb]

I can account for my whereabouts during the time in question.

 

[Phenix3939]

Obviously this is a tragedy and could have been worse... but god dam that charred out black bike looks pretty cool. Customization goals right there. looks like the under taker was filling up his bike.

You know I thought the exact same thing when I got the picture! It still looks good. It would make a bass-ass bobber pro