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Gas Tank, question about "Reserve"

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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 08:20 AM
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Default Gas Tank, question about "Reserve"

I've got a 1992 FLHTC. Just ran through my first tank of gas, let it run down quite a bit to use up all the "old" gas. I know the bike wasn't run much last year and most of the gas was probably 2 years old. Filled it up and all is fresh now. What about the "reserve" part of the tank? Does it somehow get refreshed when the tank is filled, or should you occasionally run the bike on "reserve" to use up that old gas as well. Thanks!
 
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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 08:30 AM
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I do believe it all the same gas, just a different (higher) location for the gas to be pulled from. You will be OK.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 08:35 AM
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Originally Posted by SleeplessinVegas
I do believe it all the same gas, just a different (higher) location for the gas to be pulled from. You will be OK.
Yep, The stand tube length determines reserve capacity. All in the the same tank.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 08:36 AM
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Originally Posted by SleeplessinVegas
I do believe it all the same gas, just a different (higher) location for the gas to be pulled from. You will be OK.
Correct, the fuel petcock has a tube that picks up fuel from a higher level in the tank, once the fuel gets down to that level, you switch over to reserve and the fuel will be drawn in from the bottom.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 08:37 AM
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When i had by carbed bike in 2000, i noticed the tank does not have a separate compartment in the gas tank for reserve. The petcock through its valving in its on position, just prevents the fuel from flowing to a certain level. In the reserve position it lets the gas flow below the on position. In another words if you fill the tank with new gas the "reserve gas/ Old gas" which is about a gallon, is getting diluted with the new gas.
 
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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 11:05 AM
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The other chaps have dealt with that! All I will add is that if the bike has stood for a long while I suggest when the gas level is low you drain and clean the tank, to clear out any muck that may have collected in there. Pop over to the Evo Forum and take a look in there!
 
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Old Jun 3, 2011 | 05:33 PM
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It is a good idea to run in the reserve position occasionally (even if the tank is full). Keeps that side of the system flushed out.
Try to avoid running really low on reserve, crud tends to collect on the bottom of old tanks, the lower your fuel level, the more crud it sucks in.
 
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