Help with fuel gauge
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
still use my odometer as fuel gage... even though mine still works. I will never trust the fuel gage on a bike. But then I log every gallon of fuel run through my bike and I know how many miles (210-230) I can safely get off 4-4.5 gallons. I use the fuel gage as reference only. But then, it is nice if all the gages worked! I know I wish my temp gage worked right!!!
Banned
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 11,232
Likes: 16
From: Socialist Republic of the USA
If I went by my gauge to determine where my fuel was I'd be filling up 2x more often than I do. Once I've got good documentation of my MPG, I use the trip mileage. When I used to go by my gauge I would fill at approx 140-150 mi point, now I just do the math and go till I'm at 180-190 mi and at times even 200 mi. I always have approx 1 gallon left in the tank.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 11,232
Likes: 16
From: Socialist Republic of the USA
If I went by my gauge to determine where my fuel was I'd be filling up 2x more often than I do. Once I've got good documentation of my MPG, I use the trip mileage. When I used to go by my gauge I would fill at approx 140-150 mi point, now I just do the math and go till I'm at 180-190 mi and at times even 200 mi. I always have approx 1 gallon left in the tank.
Oops, thought you had a Road King. Not sure if there are connectors under your console but I doubt it.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 745
Likes: 5
From: Colorado City, Tx.
I had a problem with mine when it would get down to about 3/4 it would
start jumping around, fluttering and such. I wondered if it was the sender
or the gauge. I gambled and changed the gauge first and WAALAAAA that
was it!!!!! Problem solved.
start jumping around, fluttering and such. I wondered if it was the sender
or the gauge. I gambled and changed the gauge first and WAALAAAA that
was it!!!!! Problem solved.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 646
From: Santa Clarita
KG, to me the fuel gauge IS the guessing game! Therefore, I've used the odo for the last forty plus years as my odo, NEVER have to guess at it because I know my motorcycle's habits...I have to agree with those who say that after thirty years, the fuel gauge on a Harley IS in it's infancy. Don't know why...they seem to work well on most other bikes, but not on these.
One suggestion to reduce the possibility guessing with odos is keep a running tab on your mileage...not guessing by how many miles you get out of a tank, so much, although with an odometer fuel gauge, that's ultimately how it works...at each fuel fillup, or every few, divide the gallons into the trip mileage, and then after a few fillups, you'll have a pretty good idea of your mileage on average.
For instance, my Street Glide runs between 38 & 42 MPG... I know if I'm gonna do some mountain riding, I'll be in the 38 MPG range. If mostly flat straight, then 42. 40 on average.
Today's odometers have three settings: Overall...Trip 'A' which I used for my mileage between fill ups so I have my fuel gauge...Trip 'B' which I use for oil change mileage.
One suggestion to reduce the possibility guessing with odos is keep a running tab on your mileage...not guessing by how many miles you get out of a tank, so much, although with an odometer fuel gauge, that's ultimately how it works...at each fuel fillup, or every few, divide the gallons into the trip mileage, and then after a few fillups, you'll have a pretty good idea of your mileage on average.
For instance, my Street Glide runs between 38 & 42 MPG... I know if I'm gonna do some mountain riding, I'll be in the 38 MPG range. If mostly flat straight, then 42. 40 on average.
Today's odometers have three settings: Overall...Trip 'A' which I used for my mileage between fill ups so I have my fuel gauge...Trip 'B' which I use for oil change mileage.
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