Gas Tank Capacity ..... Help.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,156
Likes: 41
From: So Cal
RE: Gas Tank Capacity ..... Help.
Mike
HDs are known for having inaccurate gauges. You are correct thatthey both receive info from the same float in the tank, it the guage is off so will the low fuel indicator. You can take it to the Dealer its a warrenty issue, will they get it working correctly, from what I have seen and heard sometims yes and some tims no. There was a article in AI about the floats sticking on a fuel hose in the tank and some times causing a problem.
You have a 5 gal tank and should be able to run it down to at least 4.5 gal. , you answered your question when you said that your bike only took 3.75 to fill. I go to about 190 - 200 miles before filling up and have never needed more than 4.25 gal at that time. You could run it down to when the light comes on and then strap a small 1/2 gal gas container on the back (in case you run out)and go another 40 - 50 miles and then fill up and you will probably see that you still have fuel left.
When you take it in on Tues for the SERT ask that dealer that I told you about to check the gauge, they are good people and should try to help you out. It only takes a few minutes to remove the dash and adjust the floats for the guage.
HDs are known for having inaccurate gauges. You are correct thatthey both receive info from the same float in the tank, it the guage is off so will the low fuel indicator. You can take it to the Dealer its a warrenty issue, will they get it working correctly, from what I have seen and heard sometims yes and some tims no. There was a article in AI about the floats sticking on a fuel hose in the tank and some times causing a problem.
You have a 5 gal tank and should be able to run it down to at least 4.5 gal. , you answered your question when you said that your bike only took 3.75 to fill. I go to about 190 - 200 miles before filling up and have never needed more than 4.25 gal at that time. You could run it down to when the light comes on and then strap a small 1/2 gal gas container on the back (in case you run out)and go another 40 - 50 miles and then fill up and you will probably see that you still have fuel left.
When you take it in on Tues for the SERT ask that dealer that I told you about to check the gauge, they are good people and should try to help you out. It only takes a few minutes to remove the dash and adjust the floats for the guage.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 36
From: ST. Louis
RE: Gas Tank Capacity ..... Help.
I would say your brother and dad are lucky.
Of course if theyonly fill up acording to their gauges and low fuel light, I'll bet they will run out of gas someday.
They (gauges) just aren't that reliable.
Use one of your trip meters as a fuel fill up gauge.
You seem to be panicin' about this like your whole bike is junk now, because the gas gauge isn't perfect.
Chill out man, you have a great bike.
You will probably have a heart attack, if you ever do have something wrong.
Of course if theyonly fill up acording to their gauges and low fuel light, I'll bet they will run out of gas someday.
They (gauges) just aren't that reliable.
Use one of your trip meters as a fuel fill up gauge.
You seem to be panicin' about this like your whole bike is junk now, because the gas gauge isn't perfect.
Chill out man, you have a great bike.
You will probably have a heart attack, if you ever do have something wrong.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
RE: Gas Tank Capacity ..... Help.
How does the fuel sensors work? Is there just one, and if so, where is it positioned? The reason I ask this is my old Low Rider. With the tank having a high spot in it to accomodate the frame tube, it would make sense that if the sensor is on the left side of the tank (where the gauge is), it could feasibly read low when there is still plenty of gas in the right side of the tank.
Am I correct in thinking this way? Did it even make sense?
Am I correct in thinking this way? Did it even make sense?
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
RE: Gas Tank Capacity ..... Help.
My float is on the right side of the tank. When I am on my kickstand and start it, it shows much lower than if the bike were sitting up. It's just the nature of the beast. They have to putthe floatsomewhere and a bike has alot more lean than a car so the guage will be less accurate.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Gas Tank Capacity ..... Help.
ORIGINAL: Texas Fat Boy
I would say your brother and dad are lucky.
Of course if theyonly fill up acording to their gauges and low fuel light, I'll bet they will run out of gas someday.
They (gauges) just aren't that reliable.
Use one of your trip meters as a fuel fill up gauge.
You seem to be panicin' about this like your whole bike is junk now, because the gas gauge isn't perfect.
Chill out man, you have a great bike.
You will probably have a heart attack, if you ever do have something wrong.
I would say your brother and dad are lucky.
Of course if theyonly fill up acording to their gauges and low fuel light, I'll bet they will run out of gas someday.
They (gauges) just aren't that reliable.
Use one of your trip meters as a fuel fill up gauge.
You seem to be panicin' about this like your whole bike is junk now, because the gas gauge isn't perfect.
Chill out man, you have a great bike.
You will probably have a heart attack, if you ever do have something wrong.
I love my bike and I want it to be perfect (well what I consider perfect)......
Lots of good info and suggestions here. Thanks guys.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
RE: Gas Tank Capacity ..... Help.
Gas tanks in cars are generally flat and level. And, they have baffles in them to prevent a lot of sloshing around. Still yet, if you park on an incline, your gas gauge will probably show more or less gas than is actually there. So a motorcycle's gauge just can't be very accurate because it's hardly ever level.
Personally, I wish they'd just remove that stinkin' gauge and put a regular gas cap on it.
Personally, I wish they'd just remove that stinkin' gauge and put a regular gas cap on it.
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 983
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
RE: Gas Tank Capacity ..... Help.
i use the odometer like everyone else ..... never run out of gas yet. notwithstanding that I do sorta miss the reserve switch that i used to have on my metric .... that was a great failsafe.
ps I only wish for the sort of mileage that some of you guys are getting [
]
ps I only wish for the sort of mileage that some of you guys are getting [
]
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Advanced
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: 45 north of Boston, MA
RE: Gas Tank Capacity ..... Help.
Just turned 1500 miles on the Rocker. Gas mileage is going up. Started at 32-34 per tank up to about600 mile. 600 to 1200 was about 34-36 MPG. Last tank154.8 miles/4.029 gallons = 38.42 MPG. I have always been the fool when it comes to filling up. When the YELLOW LIGHT goes onI usually fill up first chance I get. Most gas in was 4.7 gallons. Specs say5.0 gallon tank. I always fill just over bottom of opening. The one gallon RESERVE LIGHT works great even with SPEEDO/TACH add on. Lets me knowI need to THINK about filling it up.
I reset the A trip and use that readingcheck how many miles I have on the tank until it became a waste of time. The yellow warning light has been real reliable.
I get about the same miles per gallon with the 06 Electra Glide, so I am hoping that the mileage will continue to go up. UntilI change the exhaust V&H BR 2-1, SERT and SE-HB A/C, DYNO then go through the whole process again.
I reset the A trip and use that readingcheck how many miles I have on the tank until it became a waste of time. The yellow warning light has been real reliable.
I get about the same miles per gallon with the 06 Electra Glide, so I am hoping that the mileage will continue to go up. UntilI change the exhaust V&H BR 2-1, SERT and SE-HB A/C, DYNO then go through the whole process again.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,129
Likes: 1,981
From: Ottawa, CANADA
RE: Gas Tank Capacity ..... Help.
As others do, I use one of my trip odometers as a fuel gauge. Reaper's actual fuel gauge is not too far off, but the odometer method is dead on. One time, I rolled into a station on fumes, I'd had to switch to the reserve, after the engine started conking out, while riding at speed on the highway, and when I filled up, I put OVER 5 gallons in, and it the tank wasn't bone dry! The capacity is estimated, but it's very close to 5 gallons.
I usually start looking for a gas station when I get to around 120/130 miles on the trip odometer.
Cheers!
[sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif]
I usually start looking for a gas station when I get to around 120/130 miles on the trip odometer.
Cheers!
[sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif]