Can a fuel gauge be repaired?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 8, 2015 | 08:43 PM

cggorman

Thread Starter

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2014

Posts: 11,448

Likes: 2,299

From: NW Ohio

Can a fuel gauge be repaired?

I recently replaced a digital Kuryakyn fuel/volt gauge with a correct (ebay, used) analog unit for my 99. It doesn't seem to be coming down from the full mark. The tank is actually about 2/3 full. The gauge drops to empty when the ignition is turned off, so it's not stuck. The Kury gauge was on the bike when I got it and is all Ive ever used. It read fine.

Can an old analog gauge be repaired?

Oct 9, 2015 | 01:44 PM

bigbadpoppa

Road Master

Joined: Sep 2015

Posts: 1,020

Likes: 130

From: Vancouver

Yes it can...but your better off just buying a new one unless your doing the repairs yourself and know what to look for. Gauges are not expensive, fumbling with a repair for a low price item is a waste of time and will cost you more of a repair bill.

Oct 9, 2015 | 02:17 PM

8541hog

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 6,642

Likes: 48

From: Ogden, UT

You would be much better off using your odometer to determine when you need fuel, fuel gauges on a small tank are rarely very accurate, mileage always is.

Oct 9, 2015 | 02:33 PM

bigbadpoppa

Road Master

Joined: Sep 2015

Posts: 1,020

Likes: 130

From: Vancouver

Very true...my oem gauge is pure garbage. Its not accurate at all.

Oct 9, 2015 | 04:12 PM

havoc6403

Novice

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 18

Likes: 0

From: whidbey island

replaced mine a few months ago. no sweat. cheap part.

Oct 9, 2015 | 04:24 PM

cggorman

Thread Starter

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2014

Posts: 11,448

Likes: 2,299

From: NW Ohio

I agree they aren't too expensive, but I still hate the idea of spending $50 for another one. Only had this one a couple weeks!

I understood them to be inaccurate when I changed from the Kury. I can accept that. Between mileage and the reserve, I'm not too concerned about running empty on the road. I just like things to work like new. I have a lot pf vintage "stuff". Often times "works like new" is far less than acceptable by today's standards, but that's part of the charm of something like, say, and old mechanical clock in your car dash.

Oct 9, 2015 | 05:54 PM

Racqueteer9

Road Captain

Joined: Dec 2013

Posts: 539

Likes: 5

From: Harleyland, USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by cggorman

Often times "works like new" is far less than acceptable by today's standards, but that's part of the charm of something like, say, and old mechanical clock in your car dash.

Yeah, I can't get my dash sundial to work properly no matter how hard I try. Everytime I change direction it changes time.

Trending Topics

1979 XLH 1000 - a good year?

100

2.2k
Stage 1 - What tuner are you using?

28

1k
Oil temp monitoring on a 23 Ultra Limited

27

664
Interview - A Straight-Talking Harley-Davidson Dealer

43

2.2k
New to me FLHTK

19

500

Oct 9, 2015 | 06:56 PM

jaxdwg

Road Warrior

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 1,301

Likes: 24

From: Minden LA

Quote:

Originally Posted by cggorman

Pull the gauge, pull the sending unit. Hook it back up while out of bike. Turn on ign. and run the float up and down to see if the wiper is actually making contact with the resistor. If not, VERY carefully (with pointy tweezers) tweek the wiper so it has good contact with the resistor. Now, with 3 gal in tank, put it back in the bike (bike standing straight up) and turn on the ign. And see what it reads. tweak the float till it reads half tank. That is about as close as you'll get it I believe. I fixed mine twice over the years (02) but the third time, the wiper had broken off so I said screw it and put fuel in at 150 miles on the trip meter. I priced a sending unit for $157.00 but that was a while back. I should've bought a spare when they were $50. Call me cheap, but I hate paying triple just cause it's older.