fuel gauge
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 10
From: derbyshire
fuel gauge
Hi all my first post bought a 1200 sportster 2005 being delivered this week ,.
I have a couple of questions does this bike have a fuel gauge ,
if not, can you buy one ,thought I saw something about a fuel gauge in tank cap
also is this bike a carburettor version or not ,
Really should asked these questions at shop,,but my youngest daughter just passed away
so my head was all over the place ,really should have waited a bit longer,
cheers
I have a couple of questions does this bike have a fuel gauge ,
if not, can you buy one ,thought I saw something about a fuel gauge in tank cap
also is this bike a carburettor version or not ,
Really should asked these questions at shop,,but my youngest daughter just passed away
so my head was all over the place ,really should have waited a bit longer,
cheers
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
Harley fuel gauges are notoriously inaccurate.
Best way to determine range:
Fill tank.
Make note of speedo mileage. Kilometers in your case.
Reset trip meter.
Ride.
Refill tank.
Divide kilometers X liters= MPL
Calculate how far you can travel by the MPL and number of liters tank holds.
Reset trip meter.
Ride til you reach a reasonably safe amount of reserve according to your calculations.
Refill tank.
Reset trip meter.
Repeat.
Best way to determine range:
Fill tank.
Make note of speedo mileage. Kilometers in your case.
Reset trip meter.
Ride.
Refill tank.
Divide kilometers X liters= MPL
Calculate how far you can travel by the MPL and number of liters tank holds.
Reset trip meter.
Ride til you reach a reasonably safe amount of reserve according to your calculations.
Refill tank.
Reset trip meter.
Repeat.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 1,281
From: Ky
I have to put my glasses on to read the fuel lever, look closely and see the arrow and tiny writing. As previous said, fill the tank, set trip to 0, ride a while, add fuel, do the math. Should get well over an hour before sputtering starts. If it sputters go to reserve. 100 miles or the equivalent kilometers shouldn't be an issue at all. My wife's 05 sportster will do 150 miles without touching reserve.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 10
From: derbyshire
Thanks for replies ,but in UK we use miles not kilometres,
but just to confuse you we by petrol in litres, because when we bought it in gallons and price went say 5p a gallon
some Bd in govt decided if we bought in litres he get more money by putting price rise on a litre so it became 20 p
more tax
but just to confuse you we by petrol in litres, because when we bought it in gallons and price went say 5p a gallon
some Bd in govt decided if we bought in litres he get more money by putting price rise on a litre so it became 20 p
more tax
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
Welcome from Spartan Country, Michigan!
I tell a lot of new comers to the forum to get: Factory Service manual and the Parts manual. Get a three ring binder and record all your maintenance, repairs, accessories, etc. This will be a great reminder of what was done when. And great material to pass along to the new owner should you sell and upgrade. Also know how large your fuel tank is, and record your fuel usage. I have an app called Simply Auto that I record all my fuel used. I use the odometer and use the fuel gage as reference only. I reset the odometer to zero on fill ups, and I know I can safely get 200 miles on a tank on around town riding.
Good Luck!
To answer your question further.... I think your bike is a fuel injected bike, so you may not have a fuel petcock. If you do have a petcock with reserve, fill the bike and reset the odometer to zero. Ride it til it runs out of fuel, note the mileage. Fill it up and calculate the mileage. Do this a couple times as you will see you get a different mpg with local around town riding versus trips. Know how large your tank is, and you should know how many miles you can go on a tank. I had a Sportster with a 3.5 gal tank and knew I could get 100 miles on a tank without worry. As I stated above, get a fuel app for your phone and record all your fuel usage. After a few fillups you will begin to see what mpg you get and how far you can go.
I tell a lot of new comers to the forum to get: Factory Service manual and the Parts manual. Get a three ring binder and record all your maintenance, repairs, accessories, etc. This will be a great reminder of what was done when. And great material to pass along to the new owner should you sell and upgrade. Also know how large your fuel tank is, and record your fuel usage. I have an app called Simply Auto that I record all my fuel used. I use the odometer and use the fuel gage as reference only. I reset the odometer to zero on fill ups, and I know I can safely get 200 miles on a tank on around town riding.
Good Luck!
To answer your question further.... I think your bike is a fuel injected bike, so you may not have a fuel petcock. If you do have a petcock with reserve, fill the bike and reset the odometer to zero. Ride it til it runs out of fuel, note the mileage. Fill it up and calculate the mileage. Do this a couple times as you will see you get a different mpg with local around town riding versus trips. Know how large your tank is, and you should know how many miles you can go on a tank. I had a Sportster with a 3.5 gal tank and knew I could get 100 miles on a tank without worry. As I stated above, get a fuel app for your phone and record all your fuel usage. After a few fillups you will begin to see what mpg you get and how far you can go.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 590
Likes: 201
From: Southern Ontario
Sorry for your loss.
What size tank? I have an Iron, 3.3G tank, with the HD tach and fuel tank sensor (both were extra). Honestly, you don't need it. Even with the fuel gauge, I still do what I do before I had it. Fill up the tank and reset Trip A. The gas light comes on when you have 1/3 tank left. Look at Trip A again, divide that mileage by two, and that is how much range you have left. At the same time, I reset Trip B as a reminder.
What size tank? I have an Iron, 3.3G tank, with the HD tach and fuel tank sensor (both were extra). Honestly, you don't need it. Even with the fuel gauge, I still do what I do before I had it. Fill up the tank and reset Trip A. The gas light comes on when you have 1/3 tank left. Look at Trip A again, divide that mileage by two, and that is how much range you have left. At the same time, I reset Trip B as a reminder.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,104
Likes: 13,043
From: Texas, USA
I can't answer your questions about the Sporty. I do offer my sincerest condolences on the loss of your daughter. I will keep your daughter, you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Enjoy your new ride.
Enjoy your new ride.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,078
Likes: 19,235
From: The Wasteland
I had a Sporty with the 3.3 gallon tank and it would go roughly 120-130 miles before sputtering, depending on how I was riding. I used the odometer like everyone here says. I figured at 100 to 115 miles it was time to start looking for a gas station.
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