Jeez, Wally! Can't we just pump the gas? I have found that the performance of my scoot, as well as the gas mileage has improved tremendously, since I upgraded to premium, even if there are a few ounces of the lower grade in it.

 

Ok, here is AN answer...first of all, I work on fuel dispensers as part of my job....this is about a 1/3 of a gallon left in the hose, BUT there is also a good amount left in the dispenser after the mixing valve...depending on the model of dispenser it could be more than a gallon..most people think that in a fuel dispenser there is pump that pumps the fuel, that is not the case, the pump is in the ground/tank all the dispenser does is measure and mix the fuel dispensed..starting at the ground and coming up to the hose nozzle there are the following items in order, shear valve (if the dispenser is broken from its moorings it stops the flow of fuel from the pump in the tank) above that is a mixing valve (sometimes depending on model) then the fuel metering device (it is the part that makes the numbers go up when you buy fuel) from there it goes through some pipes to the hose and a break away valve( which as stated earlier has a automatic sealing device on both sides to keep fuel from leaking in case of a hose separation, then the nozzle...there are some other minor parts in there for safety etc. ..but interestingly enough the pump is not usually controlled by the dispenser, it has a pressure switch in the line and when the pressure drops in the line (by someone opening the nozzle) the pump comes on, once the pressure builds up again(nozzle off) the pump turns off (there are some exceptions to this)..this way you can run several dispensers off of one pump...Now you say, then why do you have to turn on the dispenser to get fuel, simple, when you turn on the dispenser it only opens a valve in the dispenser to allow the flow of fuel..when you pick your grade of fuel it moves a mixing valve to the desired octane and opens the flow valve..a computer in the dispenser "watches" the amount of fuel dispensed and shuts off the flow valve at the allotted amount.... pretty simple ain't it..the computer as you know also does other stuff, like move the mixing valve and accept card information...But in the old days it was all done with gears, when the fuel flowed past the metering device it turned some gears which were physically connected to another set of gears which moved the numbers around the dial, and if you were not careful you could dispense more than you wanted...so, you ask how does the dispenser know to turn off the flow of fuel when the tank is full???..its magic...no not really, but I have had enough typing for now...

 

Ha! Best reply I've read!

 

the gas station i go to, the pump comes on as soon as i pick up the nozzle and push the grade level.. its a old style pump for sure seeing how it doesn't do credit or debit cards. .. the kerosene pump there still has the old dial meter on it..

 

If you're just filling your tank when empty, not a real big issue. However , if you're riding rural roads, you top off with premium every chance you get. The more times you top off a non empty tank, the greater the loss of octane will be. I've ridden rural areas that have 87 octane gasoline and diesel fuel only. Dispensers with a single nozzle for all grades of gasoline will still have a separate nozzle for diesel if they sell it. Why? Because the small amound of gasoline in the line will contaminate and the fuel will be out of spec even with the larger tanks the diesel fuel will be filling. The premium should be despenced through a proritory nozzle, just like the diesel fuel is. I like the idea of selecting premium and purging the regular on the ground before fueling the bike. OK, here's my best shot at this crap. Buy a draft beer at your relaxing spot. Tell the barkeep what you want and watch as he selects your choice and it pours from a single tap.

 

I wouldn't try drying your shoes in the dryer. Just use cool air. Tie em to your antenna's and ride barefoot. Just make sure you are totally stopped at lights, before putting your feet down. Good luck. Hope the DNR doesn't catch you.

 

Why would there be fuel on anybodys boots? When I stand by the road and urinate, I come back with dry boots. Don't get the logic there.

 

Just pull up to the pump right after a guy in a corvette or bmw exits...

 

We used to do the same thing. I have noticed that with the latest price increases I find the hose empty most the time. It seems folks are taking the time to drain the hose after shutting off the pump.

Michael

 

Like I wrote in the thread of the same topic in the touring forum.

I sit and wait until I see someone pump their car or bike full of premium then I hurry up behind them so I can use the same pump and hose. Some days it takes a few hours, but the damn gas stations aren't going to screw me, no sir!