running out of gas

Hi all,
it seems I have been running out of gas with my Roadster a couple of times..
I found that the reserve gas is not very much and not having the partial odometer is not helping in keeping track of how many miles are left..

also I was suggested to use a reserve tap both on the left and the right side to help using all the gas on both sides as they are not communicating

what is your experience?

Your Norty should pass everything on the highway except a gas station. :shock:

Your normal tap should have about a 2" standpipe on it. This gives me about 1/2 gal reserve, say 20 miles. If your standpipe is shorter, you will have less proportionally. I recommend you check. But if you go to two "reserve" taps you are going to run out with no notice, I wouldn't do that.
Jaydee

Lorenzo said:

I found that the reserve gas is not very much and not having the partial odometer is not helping in keeping track of how many miles are left..

also I was suggested to use a reserve tap both on the left and the right side to help using all the gas on both sides as they are not communicating

Click to expand...

Yes, you can fit two reserve taps if you want, (or simply remove the standpipe from the 'main' tap) you will then get slightly further (but not much) on the main supply, but it obviously doesn't increase the amount left in reserve, and doing so would mean you lose the 'emergency' reserve where the bike can be tipped over far enough so the small amount of fuel trapped on the main side of the tunnel sloshes over to the reserve side.

I would suggest you consider fitting a pair of three-position (OFF-MAIN-RESERVE) taps, that way at least you get two reserves.

An alternative would be to fit a longer standpipe to the main tap, as that will increase the reserve amount.

jaydee75 said:

But if you go to two "reserve" taps you are going to run out with no notice,

Click to expand...

If one tap is used for the 'main' supply then fuel will remain trapped on the other side of the tank tunnel, so there would be some left in 'reserve'.

No one is making those stretched-roadster looking tanks that go under the fibreglass cover in the JPN replica ?
I have wondered that the extra gallon could come in handy, and the looks don't change much from the roadster.
Seat would need to be different though.

But we diverge, slightly.

A solution to the no tripmeter is one of those blackboard maker pens,
and you write on the speedo glass the last couple of numbers of the fill mileage.
Heath Robinson for sure, but it works.
Make sure you you put the cap back on to carry in your pocket...

I have (2) Knitter's Row Counters on my air control cable and when I fill up my Roadster I set the counters to the present odometer reading + 100 miles. That always gives me a little margin for error and when my Norton sits for a while, I don’t have to remember when I last filled up. It works great as long as the odometer works and it’s under $5.00. I bought mine from Hobby Lobby but you can also get them on line. I used thin wall tubing to get the counters tight on the air cable. Just wish they weren't pink.
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1Pair-Fr ... 77261.html



Dave

Maybe a main tap with a high tube. I couldn't calculate it but my guess is that a 1/4" or so may give you 10 or more miles on reserve.

I found that the reserve on my Commando is 12 miles i.e. I need gas NOW. When touring I carry a one gallon can in my saddle bag. It has saved me many long walks. Writing the mileage at fill up with a grease pencil on the speedo face works as a reminder.

Greg

If you run out of the main and switch to reserve, and run the reserve out, you still have a bit of gas left in the tank if you been running on straight roads. Get off the bike and lean way over on the reserve side - that will splash the last quart or so of gas from the main side to the reserve side. I did this once about 4 miles from the nearest gas station. got me right up to the pump before dying.

This only works on a Commando. Featherbeds and Hybrids don't have the pockets on each side of the tank running all the way to the back.

With a roadster tank, I use the two-hour rule. After fill up note the time and after two hours of driving you are looking for another gas station. I never have this problem with the interstate. It tough when you are just tooting around town and doing small runs as you lose time and must rely on the odometer to gauge the fuel. Another habit would be to open the gas cap and take a squint, every time you hop on. As mentioned above tilt the bike to the reserve side to get the last gulp out of the smaller tank. You can always adapt a bicycle electronic Speedo to the handlebars and fix the magnet onto the spoke and make a bracket for the sensor. But you must get the right one as most are designed for bicycle speeds like the Cateye. Sigma units are good to 150 MPH and have a nice trip meter reset.
Cheers,
Thomas
CNN

drp said:

I have (2) Knitter's Row Counters on my air control cable and when I fill up my Roadster I set the counters to the present odometer reading + 100 miles. That always gives me a little margin for error and when my Norton sits for a while, I don’t have to remember when I last filled up. It works great as long as the odometer works and it’s under $5.00. I bought mine from Hobby Lobby but you can also get them on line. I used thin wall tubing to get the counters tight on the air cable. Just wish they weren't pink.
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1Pair-Fr ... 77261.html

Dave

Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing that Dave. Order a pair of row counters and came in the mail today. I got the 6mm inside diameter ones. Was able to get air cable end through the counters. Fits fairly snug on the choke cable

Rohan said:

No one is making those stretched-roadster looking tanks that go under the fibreglass cover in the JPN replica ?
I have wondered that the extra gallon could come in handy, and the looks don't change much from the roadster.
Seat would need to be different though.

But we diverge, slightly.

A solution to the no tripmeter is one of those blackboard maker pens,
and you write on the speedo glass the last couple of numbers of the fill mileage.
Heath Robinson for sure, but it works.
Make sure you you put the cap back on to carry in your pocket...

Click to expand...

The JPN tanks could not really be used unless covered by the fiberglass. They are pretty ugly, with that big weld showing. Best to use the other tanks - fastback, long range fastback or interstate if needing more fuel capacity. Roadster steel tanks should be good for 120 miles before going on reserve. If running out of gas after switching the reserve there is still a bit of gas on the main side that's below the stand pipe. Just tip the bike to the reserve side and give a little shake....good for maybe another mile.