Aha moment...
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 235
From: Texas
Aha moment...
Been beautiful riding weather here this past weekend on the Texas gulf coast...but I've been down for a couple of weeks with a front tube issue.
Got back together late last night and did a quick run around the neighborhood this morning to hit some known bumps to check the front seals and ended up riding aimlessly down the road. I was sitting at a red light in light traffic looking at the front tubes for leaks, listening to the engine and my tunes when the engine starts running rough and pops back through the carb and quits. It cranks right back up as I scan and see no lights and just over one quarter of a tank but then it starts running rough again so I am looking for the quickest route out of the traffic when it coughs and quits again...and won't start... My mind is racing through possible problems as I start waving traffic back and pushing for the shoulder...when it hit me...one quarter of a tank is reserve...you dumbass...embarrassing...
.
Switched over to reserve, filled up down the road and had a great ride today...just freaking fantastic...like it all never happened...
Got back together late last night and did a quick run around the neighborhood this morning to hit some known bumps to check the front seals and ended up riding aimlessly down the road. I was sitting at a red light in light traffic looking at the front tubes for leaks, listening to the engine and my tunes when the engine starts running rough and pops back through the carb and quits. It cranks right back up as I scan and see no lights and just over one quarter of a tank but then it starts running rough again so I am looking for the quickest route out of the traffic when it coughs and quits again...and won't start... My mind is racing through possible problems as I start waving traffic back and pushing for the shoulder...when it hit me...one quarter of a tank is reserve...you dumbass...embarrassing...
. Switched over to reserve, filled up down the road and had a great ride today...just freaking fantastic...like it all never happened...
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,046
Likes: 398
From: sugar land, gulf coast, tx
At least you know when it's time for reserve. With FI bikes, and inaccurate gas gauges and low fuel lights, owners never really know how much fuel is left in the tank...
Guess it will be a few days before one as nice as the past few have been, return. Ride safely....tomp dd50
Guess it will be a few days before one as nice as the past few have been, return. Ride safely....tomp dd50
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,765
Likes: 958
From: Out West
Well I call that all good! Hell, could've been worse, something real.
I use a gauge for reference but when it comes down to it, for a fail-safe, nothing beats knowing your approximate gas mileage and reminding yourself to check your odometer/tripmeter from your last fill up while riding every so often.
I'm retired Army and have lived in Germany for about 12 years. Over there we used just one main brand Gas Station "Esso", BP only on the Autobahn. We bought coupons for the gas that we used to pay at the gas stations. We had maps of where the stations were throughout Germany. You learned to link your stops cause it would get expensive if you erred.
Maybe I just have paranoia issues though
I use a gauge for reference but when it comes down to it, for a fail-safe, nothing beats knowing your approximate gas mileage and reminding yourself to check your odometer/tripmeter from your last fill up while riding every so often.
I'm retired Army and have lived in Germany for about 12 years. Over there we used just one main brand Gas Station "Esso", BP only on the Autobahn. We bought coupons for the gas that we used to pay at the gas stations. We had maps of where the stations were throughout Germany. You learned to link your stops cause it would get expensive if you erred.
Maybe I just have paranoia issues though
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,302
Likes: 275
From: Milton, Delaware
Those little brain farts are, at worst, embarrassing even if no one but you knows about it.
On my way home from work one night on my previous bike, doing 80 mph in traffic in the fast lane of 5 lanes and the bike just gave a little hiccup and kept going. Hmmm, what the hell was that? That's about how much time it took for the bike to just die all together. Pucker factor! As I'm slowing down in the left hand breakdown lane it hits me that I was out of gas. While still doing about 50 mph I reached down and flipped the lever to reserve. The bike fired right up! DUH!! But, now I have to try to get back on the hiway from the left hand break down lane. Fortunately some guy in F-250 slowed down and flashed his lights to let me in.
I waved a thank you to him. I've always wondered if he was another biker?
On my way home from work one night on my previous bike, doing 80 mph in traffic in the fast lane of 5 lanes and the bike just gave a little hiccup and kept going. Hmmm, what the hell was that? That's about how much time it took for the bike to just die all together. Pucker factor! As I'm slowing down in the left hand breakdown lane it hits me that I was out of gas. While still doing about 50 mph I reached down and flipped the lever to reserve. The bike fired right up! DUH!! But, now I have to try to get back on the hiway from the left hand break down lane. Fortunately some guy in F-250 slowed down and flashed his lights to let me in.
I waved a thank you to him. I've always wondered if he was another biker?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,132
Likes: 228
From: Garland, TX
Sounds like something I would do. There has been a couple times where I hit the kill switch on accident without realizing it, it took me a few minutes before I realized what happened lol 
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 88
Likes: 1
It was better than last week when my throttle grip broke and my throttle stuck it the open position. That was a real pucker factor that I'm still thinking about. Whew!
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,132
Likes: 228
From: Garland, TX
I did that a few months back and I didn't realized I had touched it. Coasted all the way to a stop while thinking not so nice thoughts. Then saw the kill switch in the wrong position. It started right up and I was relieved and embarrassed all at the same time. Oh well.
It was better than last week when my throttle grip broke and my throttle stuck it the open position. That was a real pucker factor that I'm still thinking about. Whew!
It was better than last week when my throttle grip broke and my throttle stuck it the open position. That was a real pucker factor that I'm still thinking about. Whew!
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,302
Likes: 275
From: Milton, Delaware
I just thought of one that I've done a couple of times.
Hit the left turn switch and the horn blows.
Hit the horn button and left signal goes on.
I hope I'm not the only one that's done this. lol
Hit the left turn switch and the horn blows.
Hit the horn button and left signal goes on.
I hope I'm not the only one that's done this. lol
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,633
Likes: 46
From: East Hartford, CT
Funny stories, reminds me when I ran my 68 triumph with fuel shut offs and reserves.
Go peeling out the gas station looking cool only to sputter and die 3 blocks away. Duh!
Cruising in trafic 2 lanes over and sputter only to reach for the reserve and barely make it across the bridge before the 2 cup reserve runs out.
Pushing my SB out sliently to the street, no start, push it back uphill to the garage and realize it's the kill switch! I hate when that happens.
Go peeling out the gas station looking cool only to sputter and die 3 blocks away. Duh!
Cruising in trafic 2 lanes over and sputter only to reach for the reserve and barely make it across the bridge before the 2 cup reserve runs out.
Pushing my SB out sliently to the street, no start, push it back uphill to the garage and realize it's the kill switch! I hate when that happens.