How does it work?
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 684
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
How does it work?
I've owned 5 Harleys with fuel gauges. Most have not been very accurate... which is ok since I use the odometer anyway. But because they were consistent in their inaccuracy, they were of some use. My eGlide was pretty much dead nuts on the money, but the rest usually showed the tank more empty than it actually was.
So my question for those far smarter than I is...
how does the gas gauge work? How does it calculate how far I can go before I run out of gas?
I assume it has a float... and that's how the gauge itself works... BUT how does it calculate how many miles I ride before I'm out of gas?
So my question for those far smarter than I is...
how does the gas gauge work? How does it calculate how far I can go before I run out of gas?
I assume it has a float... and that's how the gauge itself works... BUT how does it calculate how many miles I ride before I'm out of gas?
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 234
Likes: 2
From: Southern NM
I would imagine it works like the cars do now, the computer that operates the FI knows how much fuel you are using and that with what the fuel gauge is telling the computer figures out the mileage......I know the one on my TDI Jetta VW is pretty accurate but as you have noted, the gauges on these bikes is far from accurate. When the light comes on on mine, I have about 2 gallons left....far more miles than the computer tells me, but I would rather be on the safe side than have to push the bike or have to leave it.
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 684
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
GaryK: I would rather be on the safe side than have to push the bike or have to leave it.
Since going to the gauge they have dropped the reserve in the tank.. so knowing what your fuel level becomes more critical. I wouldn't mind it underestimating how much farther I can go by .. say a half gallon...
My bike is currently in the shop getting the mods I added when I bought it.. so today I stopped in and asked them to have a look at the fuel gauge (since it's new & under warranty.. why not?).
This bike is much further off than my other HD bikes... to the tune of about -20%. So I'm hoping something's stuck or not set up right.
One other thing I reported when I brought it in was that there's really excessive venting when I take off the gas cap. It's like the tank is under far more pressure than I've noticed in any of my other bikes. I don't know if that's related to this issue or not.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 10
From: Suffolk, England
It doesn't seem to be terribly smart about the calculation, unlike in my car where it adjusts depending on your current/recent MPG.
With my Fat Bob it seems to say 150 miles remaining when full and just divides that up as the fuel level drops as reported by the sender in the tank.
With my Fat Bob it seems to say 150 miles remaining when full and just divides that up as the fuel level drops as reported by the sender in the tank.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 8
From: NW Arkansas
It doesn't seem to be terribly smart about the calculation, unlike in my car where it adjusts depending on your current/recent MPG.
With my Fat Bob it seems to say 150 miles remaining when full and just divides that up as the fuel level drops as reported by the sender in the tank.
With my Fat Bob it seems to say 150 miles remaining when full and just divides that up as the fuel level drops as reported by the sender in the tank.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Gotta take into account the height of the pickup on the fuel injected bikes, too. I don't think I can go lower than a 1/2 gallon before I pick up air in the fuel pump. It's not the best thing for the fuel pump either. Best to ride the odometer, methinks.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 449
From: Michigan
I haven' done this but I was told you can bend the float arm on the gauge to make it more accurate. You may have to play with it to get it closer. Like I said I have never done this.
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