My 1980 FXS-80 has no fuel gauge. And in reading up on the topic it sounds like it would be difficult to add one, because I have a 2 piece gas tank and getting a combined reading would be quite complicated. But what if I wanted to add 2 fuel gauges, one for each tank? I could add 2 gauges to the handle bars; or, perhaps just 2 gas cap fuel gauges. The gas cap method would be a cleaner approach.

Before you laugh this down, remember that boats with twin screws have 2 tachs, 2 temp gauges, 2 oil pressure gauges and - yep - 2 fuel gauges. They don't combine them. So this isn't that odd of an idea, I don't think.

I know each tank would need its' own sender and gauge, but where would I start looking for ones that fit a shovel? It's not like there are OEM sender units out there. Could I use a Sporty sender? Would it fit? Would I have to somehow calibrate the gauges to the senders? I've never done gauge work like this so I'm completely ignorant on the topic. Is this possible? How involved? And is it something I could do myself, or is welding required?

For the sake of discussion, let's not discuss whether this is a good idea or not. Or whether it's a cost effective one. I'd like to keep this a technical discussion, if possible.

Any thoughts?

 

I have no idea about what is involved in what you are trying to accomplish. Maybe I'm just old school but I know what kind of mileage my bikes get and I set my trip meter every time I fill up. I can estimate the fuel consumption by the mileage. Usually within a few tenths of a gallon.

 

You don't need two gauges...the tanks equalize from the crossover tube

 

yeah, that

 

Thanks. I had a brain fart and totally forgot bout the crossover tube. Doh! So, if I wanted to do this, I'd just need to fit a sender in the tank, right? That looks like a rather involved job?