03 Sportster fuel capacity
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1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2017
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From: tempe
03 Sportster fuel capacity
Hi all. New to the forum here; looking forward to lively discussion! Just bought an 03 Sportster 1200, it has the stock 4.5 tank on it. It seems like Im running out of gas sooner than I should be, around 80 miles. Does that sound right? It starts lurching and will eventually die. It seems like once the petcock is flipped its ok. i was expecting to get at least 100 miles before switching to reserve. My only thought would be that perhaps i had the petcock on reserve the whole time. But it seems unlikely that reserve would take me 80 miles. Thanks for any insight!
Stage I
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1
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From: S E Michigan
80 miles from 4.5 gallons? Something is seriously wrong. 2.4 gallon tank on an 02 1200 and I fill at 90 miles without hitting reserve. Where is the rest of the gas going? Do you put in 4 gallons at the end of the 80 miles?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Eastern NE
'03 Sportster should only be 3.3 gal vs. 4.5, unless someone swapped...
Either way, 80-miles on a tank is a bit low...should run fm 45-50 mpg's which would be @ 130-140 before reserve hits. Is the bike running fine, or seem rich (soot on exhaust?
Either way, 80-miles on a tank is a bit low...should run fm 45-50 mpg's which would be @ 130-140 before reserve hits. Is the bike running fine, or seem rich (soot on exhaust?
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 370
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From: Laredo, TX
my first thoughts are to make sure it is tuned properly. Maybe it has the incorrect jet size on the carb.
If that is not the problem then you may be leaking fuel slowly somewhere but I think you would have noticed that.
If that is not the problem then you may be leaking fuel slowly somewhere but I think you would have noticed that.
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1st Gear
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From: tempe
Yeah, i thought it was strange. When I fill up I’m only putting in 2.5 gallons. Yet this has happened a couple times around 80 miles. Why would it just die and then appear ok in reserve? Could it be a carb problem? I’m not sure the last time the previous owner had them tuned. Thanks for y’all help....
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Yeah, i thought it was strange. When I fill up I’m only putting in 2.5 gallons. Yet this has happened a couple times around 80 miles. Why would it just die and then appear ok in reserve? Could it be a carb problem? I’m not sure the last time the previous owner had them tuned. Thanks for y’all help....
The petcock pickup tube height is adjustable and depending on how it's set can increase/decrease the amount of available fuel.
Quickie sketch but you'll get the idea.
Last edited by cHarley; Nov 12, 2017 at 02:58 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
Doesn't sound to me that there is anything wrong, except you need to adjust to suit your bike. When you fill up you know how much fuel you added, hence can easily work out how much was left when you turned over to reserve. So you now know how far you can ride while on reserve, before you NEED to refuel! 'Twas ever thus, since the first 'bikes were invented!
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From: tempe
*update*
Update:
I rode the bike to work today on reserve and after work filled up - 3.1 gallons. So I guess it was as simple as running out of gas. Now my question: why am I getting poor gas milage? I have a few thoughts and would love input:
1. All city driving - I don't have to get on the HW at all
2. Haven't ridden a moto in about 3 years so I'm still getting used to throttle and shifting; therefore I'm probably not efficient with gas
3. It feel reallllly low geared to me. Other bikes I've had (Honda Silverwing and a Bonnie) I was out of 1st at 20mph max; this bike I'm in 1st until 25-30mph; is this normal for harleys or could it have been adjusted to be low geared? And could that have anything to do with fuel economy?
Thanks y'all!
I rode the bike to work today on reserve and after work filled up - 3.1 gallons. So I guess it was as simple as running out of gas. Now my question: why am I getting poor gas milage? I have a few thoughts and would love input:
1. All city driving - I don't have to get on the HW at all
2. Haven't ridden a moto in about 3 years so I'm still getting used to throttle and shifting; therefore I'm probably not efficient with gas
3. It feel reallllly low geared to me. Other bikes I've had (Honda Silverwing and a Bonnie) I was out of 1st at 20mph max; this bike I'm in 1st until 25-30mph; is this normal for harleys or could it have been adjusted to be low geared? And could that have anything to do with fuel economy?
Thanks y'all!
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
Just keep riding it as you are - experience will enable you to adapt to your bike and miles are the best way to achieve that. Before long you will find you are probably using fewer rpms in some situations and more in others. Your bike is geared just fine - get used to it and enjoy the ride! 
With an '03 Sporty, you should have a 3.3 gal tank....not 4.5
I think that your mileage sounds about right. That's right about what I get....I usually hit around 75-78 before I'm looking for a gas station. Reserve gets me a few more miles beyond that if necessary. I'm getting around, I think 27-28-29-30 mpg?
When I fill, I'll fill to around 2.5-2.7 gal.
The reserve is supposed to be ~0.8 gal. If you are filling at 2.5 gal, that is right on with where you should be.
I think that your mileage sounds about right. That's right about what I get....I usually hit around 75-78 before I'm looking for a gas station. Reserve gets me a few more miles beyond that if necessary. I'm getting around, I think 27-28-29-30 mpg?
When I fill, I'll fill to around 2.5-2.7 gal.
The reserve is supposed to be ~0.8 gal. If you are filling at 2.5 gal, that is right on with where you should be.
Last edited by 13thwarrior; Nov 2, 2019 at 03:49 PM.