Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

o5 Fatboy fuel gauge problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 6, 2005 | 06:44 AM
  #1  
kyFatboy's Avatar
kyFatboy
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From:
Default o5 Fatboy fuel gauge problem

My fuel gauge seemed to work fine for the first 1500 miles or so, since then i have had it in the shop twice to be adjusted or fixed and it seems like now it isn't working again. I always reset and keep a close eye on my miles but this is starting to **** me off that it hasn't been fixed. Has anyone else had a problem with the gauge? Pay good money for a bike so I expect all parts to work [:@]
 
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2005 | 07:29 AM
  #2  
TEL8109's Avatar
TEL8109
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: o5 Fatboy fuel gauge problem

I have a 05 Heritage and I have the same problem. I had it repaired several times and again its not working. I'm getting pissed.
 
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2005 | 09:29 AM
  #3  
06FLSTCi's Avatar
06FLSTCi
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: o5 Fatboy fuel gauge problem

I have issues with my fuel gauge on a 06 heritage classic. Seems to have 1/2 a tank of gas and the gauge reads 1/4 to 1/8. Also, a full tank only gets 170-180 miles which is well below 40+ miles per gallon. I'm taking it in for 1k mile checkup soon and have the dealer check it out.
 
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2005 | 03:26 PM
  #4  
grumpy irish again's Avatar
grumpy irish again
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 2
From: LAKESIDE CA.
Default RE: o5 Fatboy fuel gauge problem

04 softail haad the gage go dead they fixed the tank unit that lasted for awhile
same thing happened went back in had them order a new tank unit and so far it
is working fine all done under warrante
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2005 | 02:31 PM
  #5  
2goldens's Avatar
2goldens
HDF Community Team
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,865
Likes: 524
From: The 1980's
Community Team
Default RE: o5 Fatboy fuel gauge problem

The gauge on my '02 Fat Boy suddenly stopped working last summer. Riding season is dead here, so I'll wait until spring before I go to Myrtle Beach and have it looked at. Starting with the simple stuff first, it doesn't seem to be a fuse issue.
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2005 | 03:03 PM
  #6  
PWHOG's Avatar
PWHOG
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 1
From: (UK)
Default RE: o5 Fatboy fuel gauge problem


The fuel guage is total crap ! mine has been in to the dealer twice but they have not managed to fix it yet. I recently bought the workshop manual for my bike and after looking at the way the guage works I decided to have a go and fix it myself.

If you remove the top chrome speedo cover you will find a plate which houses the fuel pump and guage sender etc. Remove all of the screws after you have unplugged the electrics and gently lift the cover slightly so that you can see into the tank. You will see the bracket holding the sender unit if you look from the right hand side of the tank. You need to gently bend it very slightly to the left hand side of the tank (Only a fraction) as the float jams against the tank when you fill it to the top with fuel.

I have filled the bike up 4 times now and the guage works perfectly, however they are not that accurate so bear in mind that the trip meter needs to be reset every time you fill up until you gain an idea as to how accurate the guage is. I never let the warning light come on as I fill it when it gets into the red.

[IMG]local://upfiles/3771/52BC7583EFC749CF883B81488809DCBA.jpg[/IMG]
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2005 | 07:21 PM
  #7  
MegaHDman's Avatar
MegaHDman
Banned
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 802
Likes: 3
From:
Default RE: o5 Fatboy fuel gauge problem

Its just the nature of the beast folks. HD uses a really cheap guages on their bikes. The float bowl assembly in the tank is pretty simple and relatively durable for what its supposed to do,and I have never encounted a "jammed" unit, but the circuit board on the guage is really really cheap and is prone to failure from stress cracks in the solder joints. I recommend going with an aftermarket guage and then putting some type of gasket material between the guage and the tank to help reduce the vibration that the circuitboard on the guage endures. Thats pretty much it in a nutshell.
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2005 | 08:25 PM
  #8  
HDF Tech's Avatar
HDF Tech
Banned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 14,496
Likes: 156
From:
Default RE: o5 Fatboy fuel gauge problem

I've heard of a few of these units hanging up the float and causing these problems. Here's a test proceedure to check out the fuel gauge https://www.hdforums.com/m_66687/tm.htm
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JackGib46
Softail Models
1
May 11, 2015 09:48 PM
Neil
Touring Models
4
Jun 9, 2013 09:29 PM
gedo76
Softail Models
4
Mar 3, 2009 04:16 PM
dhutchison
Touring Models
11
Jul 15, 2006 01:57 AM
roadglidin
Touring Models
9
Feb 26, 2006 11:59 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:38 AM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE