Has anyone tried using two reserve fuel petcocks instead of one main and one reserve? It strikes me that with the extended tube on the main one there will always be some fuel left in that side of the tank, however I don't know whether this is sufficient as a reserve or not.

dave M wrote:Has anyone tried using two reserve fuel petcocks instead of one main and one reserve? It strikes me that with the extended tube on the main one there will always be some fuel left in that side of the tank, however I don't know whether this is sufficient as a reserve or not.

Yes, you would have a bit of fuel left if you did that, but the actual amount would depend to a certain extent, on the tank type/size, length of the tap's "main" supply standpipes, and the height of the tank's frame tunnel?

Only if you like pushing your bike vast distances,if you lean it right over you can get 4~5 slow km,if you are riding hard in a twisty section about 1/2km it shouldn't be to hard to guess how I know.I just love 11 litre roadster tanks.

I run reserve taps on both sides. Haven't run out of gas yet! (I look in the tank before each ride and top off before each long ride however). I use the right tap as main and the left as reserve.

In the garage, there's 1/2 gallon (US) remaining in the left side after I drain the right side dry. Sounds like that could vary under actual riding conditions however!

Debby

dave M wrote:Has anyone tried using two reserve fuel petcocks instead of one main and one reserve? It strikes me that with the extended tube on the main one there will always be some fuel left in that side of the tank, however I don't know whether this is sufficient as a reserve or not.

I read and posted my first reply in a bit of a hurry before leaving for work, so I misread your question, as I understood it, I thought you meant using two taps that had both main and reserve positions.

So if you were to fit two reserve (only) taps, and run with only one of them open, that would leave maybe about one to two litres or so, as Debbie said (0.5 US Gal being just under 2 Ltrs.) as your only reserve in a Roadster tank, with next to no "emergency" reserve (tip the bike over to get the remainder of fuel in the tank on one side).

L.A.B. wrote:I read and posted my first reply in a bit of a hurry before leaving for work, so I misread your question, as I understood it, I thought you meant using two taps that had both main and reserve positions.

So if you were to fit two reserve (only) taps, and run with only one of them open, that would leave maybe about one to two litres or so, as Debbie said (0.5 US Gal being just under 2 Ltrs.) as your only reserve in a Roadster tank, with next to no "emergency" reserve (tip the bike over to get the remainder of fuel in the tank on one side).

I've done what LAB mentioned, and tipped the bike over for 'emergency' fuel. I wasn't paying too much attention to the miles covered, and ran into my reserve about 20 miles from a gas station. I ran out with about a mile to go, and lay the bike over on its side to splash the little bit of fuel over from the main side - got me to the station. I've thought about running two reserve taps, but feel that little bit of 'emergency' fuel on the main tap side is insurance against doing something dumb (like running with both taps open).

That's what I did once, Started running out turned on reserve fueled back up got on the road. Later once again started running out again and to my surprise someone forgot to turn the reserve off, Pushed the bike a mile or so and now I never forget. Kinda funny even the wife won't forget this bit of stupidity as she had to walk along side me down the road, But the bike itself has never let me down only me it. LOL

I believe the correct method is to stay seated while wife pushes

Hortons Norton wrote: she had to walk along side me down the road, But the bike itself has never let me down only me it. LOL

splatt wrote:I believe the correct method is to stay seated while wife pushes

Hortons Norton wrote: she had to walk along side me down the road, But the bike itself has never let me down only me it. LOL

Someone who is a) single or b) has a wife with no access to the internet.