Out of gas

And what happens if the breather in the filler cap becomes blocked ?
 
Seems to me much ado about nothing. As a pup, I had several vehicles that didn't have working gauges- and I never ran out of gas in any of them. Full tank, mpg on average easy enough to know- and plan accordingly. When I did run out of gas in a vehicle it was ones with gauges, where I tried to make it since the gauge showed a titch of gas...... and with a vehicle, one usually drives the same type of roads, same style just about all the time, so the mpg is fairly consistent.

I've never had a gauge on any of my bikes, and while one would be handy, if you could rely on it- gas usage by mileage really isn't a big deal. On my ironhead for example, I get from 30 to 45 mpg. 30 is I'm running with the boys, 45 if running on backroads for the day, and 40 as a good overall average. so I know my minimum range, and get gas accordingly.
 
If this sensor works on pressure, how does it handle the pressure differences caused by hot and cold weather, bike parked in the sun, etc ?
Shouldn't matter if the fuel tank is properly vented. The weight of the fuel remaining will be measured by the sender and displayed on the gauge.

Glen
 
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Shouldn't matter if the fuel tank is properly vented. The weight of the fuel remaining will be measured by the sender and displayed on the gauge.

Glen
Yes, you must be right, otherwise they just wouldn’t work !
 
I extend the fuel pickup tube to give 1 gallon on reserve.
For more remote areas I have a 1 liter fuel bottle.
 
At some point the fuel is divided by the spine bump in the tank. We can only see one side when looking in. And the head pressure is only measured by one side right? How does that issue factor in to knowing how much fuel is left?
The pressure sensor can be connected off a Tee from both petcocks. Then just have them both open all the time for overall tank volume measurement.
 
Regarding petcock stand pipes, how can these be removed without messing up the mesh screens?
I'd like to have both reserve and main taps without standpipes, at least on my teenie-weenie HiRider tank. Leaving the last 300-400 ml's over on main side of tank when switching to reserve could make the difference to reaching a fuel stop!
 
Regarding petcock stand pipes, how can these be removed without messing up the mesh screens?
I'd like to have both reserve and main taps without standpipes, at least on my teenie-weenie HiRider tank. Leaving the last 300-400 ml's over on main side of tank when switching to reserve could make the difference to reaching a fuel stop!
I run an in-line fuel filler after the petcock.
 
Both taps open is a good plan. A friend was riding his Rapide with one tap open, two up on a hot day climbing in the Sierra Nevadas. We were behind and saw a big puff of blue smoke then the seizure. It turned out that the screen on that tap was partially plugged. We think it caused lean running.
After cooling down the bike started and ran, but there was damage.

Glen
And that is why I always ride with both taps open. But, a bit more comforting with an Interstate or my bigger alloy Lyta than a Hirider tank...
 
I run an in-line fuel filler after the petcock.
So you mean you've done away with the petcock mesh entirely? I'm actually triple filtering....petcock mesh, sintered porous bronze in-line and carb banjo mesh.
 
So you mean you've done away with the petcock mesh entirely? I'm actually triple filtering....petcock mesh, sintered porous bronze in-line and carb banjo mesh.
I eliminated the petcock mesh since I have sintered filters and I don't want any unseen surprises.
 
So you mean you've done away with the petcock mesh entirely? I'm actually triple filtering....petcock mesh, sintered porous bronze in-line and carb banjo mesh.
Yes. I run a Russel sintered bronze filter,
Both petcocks have reserve. I usually have both in the on position. When the bike sputters a bit I switch to reserve on both and I know I have around 40 miles of mellow driving to find a gas station. I don’t get any further on a tank but there aren’t any surprises either.
The petcocks are Triumph style both with a stand pipe and lower intake.
 
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Yes. I run a Russel sintered bronze filter,
Both petcocks have reserve. I usually have both in the on position. When the bike sputters a bit I switch to reserve on both and I know I have around 40 miles of mellow driving to find a gas station. I don’t get any further on a tank but there aren’t any surprises either.
The petcocks are Triumph style both with a stand pipe and lower intake.
That's a good way to do it provided you have an Interstate or some other generously sized fuel tank on the bike.
With a Roadster tank 40 miles is nearly half the range, that would mean riding on reserve almost half of the time.
A larger Roadster style tank would be a popular item, provided it looked right on there.

Glen
 
That's a good way to do it provided you have an Interstate or some other generously sized fuel tank on the bike.
With a Roadster tank 40 miles is nearly half the range, that would mean riding on reserve almost half of the time.
A larger Roadster style tank would be a popular item, provided it looked right on there.

Glen
I wish emgo would pick up the mantle here and produce a slightly bigger roadster tank
Say 3 gallons or just over (UK gallons) that is
 
I once had a job delivering gasoline by tanker truck. After pulling into the station, first task was to stick the storage tank with a long, long pole graduated in 1/4" tick marks. Then write down the exact time. Then go read the electronic readout inside. Often they did not match. The tank-stick reading prevailed in disputes -- "We're short 50 gallons. You didn't deliver all the gas."

I use a wooden yardstick on my bike tanks. Gasoline is so transparent that my ageing eyes can't see it in the dark tank. A flashlight helps but the stick is definitive. On the road I use a steel tape measure I keep in my pocket. I roughed it up slightly on the back with sandpaper so the fuel will stick better.
 
I once had a job delivering gasoline by tanker truck. After pulling into the station, first task was to stick the storage tank with a long, long pole graduated in 1/4" tick marks. Then write down the exact time. Then go read the electronic readout inside. Often they did not match. The tank-stick reading prevailed in disputes -- "We're short 50 gallons. You didn't deliver all the gas."

I use a wooden yardstick on my bike tanks. Gasoline is so transparent that my ageing eyes can't see it in the dark tank. A flashlight helps but the stick is definitive. On the road I use a steel tape measure I keep in my pocket. I roughed it up slightly on the back with sandpaper so the fuel will stick better.
Use the same on my 7, marked off in sections! Magic!
 
Wow, Y’all are making me feel lazy looking at my gauge… Tape measure? Stick?….
And I thought popping the cap often was a pain.
I misjudged how much I had left …more than once…should have carried a stick
Rod
 
How many riders pop the cap to see how much fuel is left riding down the road…or do you pull over and pop the cap?
As far as the classic experience… I have pushed mine enough… I’ll stick to dodads and gadgets if they keeping me from pushing
Rod
BTW that is a good looking Dashboard!

Glen
 
having dropped a paper wipe into a nearly empty Rotary tank, I thought I’d just use the vacuum cleaner to retrieve it..... it worked, followed by bang and puff of smoke as vapour went through vac, which just kept on running. If only that bike had worked as well......
 
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