Just bought a 2001 1200 custom, how often should you use the fuel in the reserve, or does the fuel thats in the reserve automatically get syphoned into the tank when you refill? If you dont use the fuel in reserve wouldn't it go bad?

 

 

The reserve in the tank is not a seperate compartment in the tank. The petcock has 2 places to take fuel from the tank, one is higher than the other. When the petcock is in the ON position it takes fuel from the upper opening and when the fuel level gets below that level it acts like it ran out of gas. Then when you switch the valve to the RESERVE position, it sucks gas from the lower opening. When the fuel level gets below that level, then you will be pushing the bike to the nearest gas station.

 

There isn't a separate fuel supply for the reserve vs main. Imagine a straw sticking up into the tank. It can only recieve fuel from the top. When no more fuel can come in (because the level has dropped below the straw), you switch to reserve, which simply lowers the straw. Same gas, always being mixed as you ride or refuel. If you have the inclination, shut off your gas supply at the petcock, remove your tank (and fuel supply line to carb) drain the tank thru the gap cap side and remove the petcock. All will be clear.

 

[quote=k&j eglide;8360620]There isn't a separate fuel supply for the reserve vs main. Imagine a straw sticking up into the tank. It can only recieve fuel from the top. When no more fuel can come in (because the level has dropped below the straw), you switch to reserve, which simply lowers the straw. Same gas, always being mixed as you ride or refuel. If you have the inclination, shut off your gas supply at the petcock, remove your tank (and fuel supply line to carb) drain the tank thru the gap cap side and remove the petcock. All will be clear.[/quo
Kind of drastic measures to take just to prove that there are two different levels to the petcock level!

 

That's kinda what I did to find out. I was switching tanks and needed the old petcock. I thought I didn't have a reserve on my bike. turned out I was running on reserve the whole time. at least I only have to push the bike only once.

 

good idea to switch to "reserve" every once in a while ..
"clears the trash that might get into it "
real bummer to have to go on reserve and find out that the petcock is clogged