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

Fuel Gauge Issue

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 5, 2006 | 10:59 PM
  #1  
DFTL20's Avatar
DFTL20
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Default Fuel Gauge Issue

I have read some of the past posts on fuel gauges being stuck on full or empty and think I will use the odometer to track fuel consumption. My 05 standard is stuck on full. So my question is how many miles of highway driving should I get out of a tank of gas on a softail standard? Of course to add insult to injury I ran out of gas with my wife on the bike on only her second ride. She is not a fan of riding and wasn't to thrilled being left on the side of the road while I hitched a ride to get gas. I felt like an idiot. Thanks for the help.
 
Reply
Old May 5, 2006 | 11:13 PM
  #2  
Shovelhead Bob's Avatar
Shovelhead Bob
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,537
Likes: 21
Default RE: Fuel Gauge Issue

As far as how to fix it... You won't believe it....

Open up the tank (as per manual)... remove the sending unit....

clip off the small extension of metal off of the float rod... make it flush with the float...

reinstall with new fuel line clamp at regulator and tank panel screws....

 
Reply
Old May 5, 2006 | 11:15 PM
  #3  
Coaster's Avatar
Coaster
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,820
Likes: 15
From: PA
Default RE: Fuel Gauge Issue

I get gas at about 150 - 160 miles for my Sloptail Springer Classic. I've taken it all the way to 180 before but I don't like that. Running out of gas without a reserve sucks big time. I never had a gauge before and never used mine because I'm just used to 0'ing out the tripometer. Works for me.
 
Reply
Old May 5, 2006 | 11:26 PM
  #4  
Alien Spyder's Avatar
Alien Spyder
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,511
Likes: 12
From: Western, MA.
Default RE: Fuel Gauge Issue

Our Softail gets about 52 MPG when riding two up. We've taken 245 mile trips on one tank of gas many times.

I don't really look at my gauge much. I set the trip-ometer and monitor my miles.
 
Reply
Old May 5, 2006 | 11:27 PM
  #5  
sly_buck's Avatar
sly_buck
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Smithfield, Va
Default RE: Fuel Gauge Issue

found that my 04 soft tail standrd with 9000 gets 40.2 when i can keep the pipes quiet
 
Reply
Old May 5, 2006 | 11:36 PM
  #6  
Mike05's Avatar
Mike05
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
From: Brookville, Ohio
Default RE: Fuel Gauge Issue

My 05 EFI Heritage Classic gets about 40-43 mpg under normal conditions. The book says to expect 48 hwy, 43 city. I haven't done many 'highway only' miles. Most all of my rides are combination miles.

My low fuel light usually comes on around 150 miles. I fill up with about 3.5 to 3.8 gallons at that time.

According to the book (2005 models) a Softail Standard carb model should get 50 hwy/42 city and the EFI model 50 hwy, 44 city.
 
Reply
Old May 6, 2006 | 01:16 AM
  #7  
mitcht's Avatar
mitcht
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Bucks County, PA
Default RE: Fuel Gauge Issue

Don't feel so bad..........I also ran out (of gas, that is), but without the wife!. One good thing about it, is that it won't happen again. I figure my 97 Heritage gets 40mpg and with a 4.2 gal tank, I try to fill up anytimne after I hit 150 on the odometer.
 
Reply
Old May 6, 2006 | 02:00 PM
  #8  
jcrose's Avatar
jcrose
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Fuel Gauge Issue

I had the same issue with my fuel gauge, was filling up @ about 150 miles. During my 5000 miles service had the tacks take care of it in only about 15 minutes, and yes it is because the float was hanging up up on the tunnel and they just bent it over. have not had any problems with it in over 12 months. All done under warranty. Still filling up @ 150 miles which is exactly when the low fuel light comes on.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mikef
Softail Models
28
Sep 6, 2022 10:33 PM
AE Fatboy
Softail Models
12
Jun 20, 2017 04:07 PM
GaryM12
Touring Models
16
Aug 23, 2014 07:56 PM
bglaze
General Harley Davidson Chat
30
Aug 9, 2013 08:31 PM
nextorion
Touring Models
4
Mar 18, 2009 04:29 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:48 AM.

story-0
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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