Gas Tank Capacity ..... Help.
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Central Illinois
RE: Gas Tank Capacity ..... Help.
I've got the same problem with my new rocker. I had to check the specs to make sure I had a 5
gallon tank. When both gauges said it was empty and it only took 3.1 gallons to fill it.
gallon tank. When both gauges said it was empty and it only took 3.1 gallons to fill it.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: SW Oklahoma
RE: Gas Tank Capacity ..... Help.
Got the same problem on my rocker. I feel pretty stupid stoping at a gas station cause I am "empty" and really only needed 2.5 Gallons to top-off.When I take her in for the 1000 mi. service will ask the dealer if anything can be done to increase the accuracy of thesending unit. Pretty sure that's the root cause of the problem because both the analog guage AND the digital "r" indicator both read empty at about 2.5 Gals remaining, or approx. 1/2 tank.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 7,217
Likes: 3
From: Southern Ohio
RE: Gas Tank Capacity ..... Help.
I can't recall the last time I looked at my gas gauge...just reference the trip meter that I reset when I fill up...it'ssecond natureto reset it, and I never forget...no problems...
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, Arizona
RE: Gas Tank Capacity ..... Help.
My gauge is never right... it's only an estimate.
The thing with gas, is that it expands when it gets hot... you can't get quite as much gas in your tank when it's hot out. In my opinion (because I don't know if it's fact or not) you get better gas mileage to a degree when it's cooler out. It seems like I burn more gas on the hotter 110+ degree days. I could be wrong, but it's still my opinion.
The thing with gas, is that it expands when it gets hot... you can't get quite as much gas in your tank when it's hot out. In my opinion (because I don't know if it's fact or not) you get better gas mileage to a degree when it's cooler out. It seems like I burn more gas on the hotter 110+ degree days. I could be wrong, but it's still my opinion.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
RE: Gas Tank Capacity ..... Help.
ORIGINAL: DrSmaggs
My gauge is never right... it's only an estimate.
The thing with gas, is that it expands when it gets hot... you can't get quite as much gas in your tank when it's hot out. In my opinion (because I don't know if it's fact or not) you get better gas mileage to a degree when it's cooler out. It seems like I burn more gas on the hotter 110+ degree days. I could be wrong, but it's still my opinion.
My gauge is never right... it's only an estimate.
The thing with gas, is that it expands when it gets hot... you can't get quite as much gas in your tank when it's hot out. In my opinion (because I don't know if it's fact or not) you get better gas mileage to a degree when it's cooler out. It seems like I burn more gas on the hotter 110+ degree days. I could be wrong, but it's still my opinion.
Old wives tale. Gasoline in the tanks stay relatively cool because they're underground. Filling up in the heat of the day is no worse than filling up early in the morning.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 494
Likes: 1
From: Paola, Kansas
RE: Gas Tank Capacity ..... Help.
I think the gauge is intended to work the way it does, otherwise there would be all sorts of rich yuppies complaining about running out of gas. As stated above a bike sending unit will change a lot. It got me the first time as well.....hell I thought I was gonna be pushing, ended up putting less than 4 in it. I remember a post awhile back, most guys said their light comes on at about 3.5.
Speaking of gauges being inaccurate, check your speedo against a radar. Mine shows about 3 mph fast at 70.
Speaking of gauges being inaccurate, check your speedo against a radar. Mine shows about 3 mph fast at 70.
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Advanced
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 89
Likes: 71
From: Kansas
I started riding when electric starters were an unreliable novelty & trip meters weren't invented yet. Had to watch the odometer & do the math.
Wasn't really a problem with those old early 70s shovelheads though. Vibrations put my butt to sleep + half a leg if I didn't stop every 50 miles & stretch.
Simpler times.... get gas every other stop. My Deuce has a fuel guage, but it never occurs to me to look at it. That's probably a good thing since I hate walking to the next town for gas. It really grinds me when I walk back with gas a few hours later & find my girlfriend gone (hitched a ride?).
Better than the bike being gone, though.
Wasn't really a problem with those old early 70s shovelheads though. Vibrations put my butt to sleep + half a leg if I didn't stop every 50 miles & stretch.
Simpler times.... get gas every other stop. My Deuce has a fuel guage, but it never occurs to me to look at it. That's probably a good thing since I hate walking to the next town for gas. It really grinds me when I walk back with gas a few hours later & find my girlfriend gone (hitched a ride?).
Better than the bike being gone, though.
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