There seems to be a number of people here that believe that there is a separate section in the fuel tank where the "Reserve" fuel is stored. I hope this clears it up for you guys.

There is no separate reserve, section, divider, compartment, etc. in the fuel tank.
The petcock pickup tube has 2 fuel holes, one for the normal ON position (upper hole) and one that's used when you switch to the reserve position (lower hole). Once the fuel level drops below the upper hole, you are out of fuel until you switch the valve to Reserve which opens the lower hole.

OK, it's a quick and dirty drawing but it shows how the reserve works.




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Good example, which is also exactly the reason why it's risky riding with the petcock in reserve mode all the time. When you do this, once you're out, you're out.

 

Good info I did not know that.

 

Thanks cHarley, for emphasizing the extreme 'crudeness' of this otherwise perplexing system....

 

here ya go
1-pic OFF
2-pic ON
3-pic RESERVE
4-white thing is filter for who never seen one

 

Good gouge. Appreciate the info.

 

Thanks for clearing that up!The only thing I don't like about my Pingel fuel valve is it doesn't have cam indentions for the lever.It's smooth as butter,but finding reserve on the fly is is tricky!

 

i have only had to switch to reserve once down the main street in my city. Did not know bike was sputtering though as I was gearing down to stop at a red light and once almost stopped she died. Hit it to reserve and was away just at the right time.

 

great info, thanks i was not aware how it worked

 

Only once did I run completely out of fuel. I wasn't close enough to make it to a gas station on the reserve. Hopefully never again.