Filling Up While Sitting?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 8,196
Likes: 2,432
From: San Francisco
In 50 years of riding, I have never once filled up the tank while still sitting on the bike. To my way of thinking, there are too many more things that can go wrong while filling up while sitting on the bike rather then by standing and filling.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,559
Likes: 3,955
From: Vermont
I stay seated, put the cap on my drink holder or on the footboard, and manually work the pump with the nozzle held up slightly above so I can see inside the tank as the fuel reaches the top. No splash, no mess. One can get off the bike and stretch after filling up, isn't that big of a deal to wait another couple minutes.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 4,063
Likes: 855
From: SoCal...
I stay seated, put the cap on my drink holder or on the footboard, and manually work the pump with the nozzle held up slightly above so I can see inside the tank as the fuel reaches the top. No splash, no mess. One can get off the bike and stretch after filling up, isn't that big of a deal to wait another couple minutes.
Yup, how I do it too. Dawg be all casual and chit.
Sponsor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 8,538
Likes: 1,646
From: SF Bay area
With the fuel door opening the WRONG way on my Limited Low I have to get off & fill from the side. When I had my Softail with the screw in caps I could sit.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,302
Likes: 275
From: Milton, Delaware
I never use the auto shutoff on the pump handle. But, one day while filling up (standing next to bike) I released the handle when the fuel reached the bottom of the fill hole. The gas kept flowing and overflowed the tank, ran all over the tank, engine, and seat before I could turn around and flip
the shutoff on the pump. Turns out that the little spring that flips the locking tab on the nozzle was missing. This allowed the tab to fall into the locked open position when I squeezed the lever to fill the tank. When I released the lever it stayed in the open position.
Ever since then I always check that the little tab actually does flip up.
the shutoff on the pump. Turns out that the little spring that flips the locking tab on the nozzle was missing. This allowed the tab to fall into the locked open position when I squeezed the lever to fill the tank. When I released the lever it stayed in the open position.
Ever since then I always check that the little tab actually does flip up.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 127
From: Chandler, Arizona
Gents, that was my post.
I pull in, shut the bike off, no kickstand, put the cap on top of the pump (I am not vertically challenged), pump my gas, reinstall cap, THEN I pull over in the shade, dismount, lavatory, drink etc. When I am done with my break, I am ready to leave and do more miles. If in a rush same routine without the shade and dismount.
If you are relying on the pump to click off when filling your tank, you are destined for problems. Hold the nozzle high enough so you can see the fuel level rising and stop the pump manually. If it has that rubber crap on it, two hands one holding the evap thingie up high enough to let the pump operate.
Jersey is a communist state, they do not trust that you are smart enough to pump your own gas.
I pull in, shut the bike off, no kickstand, put the cap on top of the pump (I am not vertically challenged), pump my gas, reinstall cap, THEN I pull over in the shade, dismount, lavatory, drink etc. When I am done with my break, I am ready to leave and do more miles. If in a rush same routine without the shade and dismount.
If you are relying on the pump to click off when filling your tank, you are destined for problems. Hold the nozzle high enough so you can see the fuel level rising and stop the pump manually. If it has that rubber crap on it, two hands one holding the evap thingie up high enough to let the pump operate.
Jersey is a communist state, they do not trust that you are smart enough to pump your own gas.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 299
Likes: 40
From: Eastern foothills of Shenandoah Mountains, Virginia
Pumping gas used to be a great job for a teenager.
Kept high school boys busy therefore out of trouble in my town near Pittsburgh PA.
It was a really cool job, too.
I don't remember if it took any longer to get filled up but the kid would also check your oil (not on motorcycles) and wash your windshield and if you were a little old lady he checked tire pressure, and if it was a hot young lady driver he spent a long time washing the windshield on her side.
Kinda nice for drivers, just drive in, stay comfortable in your seat, get pumped and go.
I never saw it as anything to do with driver competence in pumping a flammable liquid.
Motorcyclists filled their own, of course.
All in all, a nicety gone from society and loss of cool jobs for high school kids.
Oh, to stay on topic: gas jockeys did not sit with their legs around the fill hole while pumping. Also he took care of putting the gas cap somewhere.
Kept high school boys busy therefore out of trouble in my town near Pittsburgh PA.
It was a really cool job, too.
I don't remember if it took any longer to get filled up but the kid would also check your oil (not on motorcycles) and wash your windshield and if you were a little old lady he checked tire pressure, and if it was a hot young lady driver he spent a long time washing the windshield on her side.
Kinda nice for drivers, just drive in, stay comfortable in your seat, get pumped and go.
I never saw it as anything to do with driver competence in pumping a flammable liquid.
Motorcyclists filled their own, of course.
All in all, a nicety gone from society and loss of cool jobs for high school kids.
Oh, to stay on topic: gas jockeys did not sit with their legs around the fill hole while pumping. Also he took care of putting the gas cap somewhere.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 586
Likes: 25
From: Ellan Vannin
Can't lock the pump in the British Isles - you have to hold the handle all the time - so no choice about leaving the bike while it fills up. I sit on mine, because if it's on the side-stand you don't get a full tank. Some places in the UK want you to get off, but most are more concerned about you removing your helmet in case you're a thief. Here in the Isle of Man nobody cares much - too used to bikes, and anyway where are you going to go if you ride off without paying! We pay after pumping...