Out of gas

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Britbike850

Britbike850

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Thought I would share my new electronic fuel gauge. I have been testing it for accuracy and durability and so far so good. It uses hydrostatic pressure that you program for your tank. Any shape/size tank can be programmed. Must have the main/reserve petcock both on otherwise it changes the hydrostatic pressure . Programming is using a magnet on the display and took many hours to get it right because of the layers in the menu. I installed a T between carbs that feeds the sensor…
It holds the memory of the programming.
Top of the photo…3 green bars…is the gauge…last digit (to the left) turns flashing red and I set it to be the same about of fuel as when I normally going to reserve. Can’t seem to find the provider but looking.
Rod
Out of gas
 
Britbike850 said:
Thought I would share my new electronic fuel gauge. I have been testing it for accuracy and durability and so far so good. It uses hydrostatic pressure that you program for your tank. Any shape/size tank can be programmed. Must have the main/reserve petcock both on otherwise it changes the hydrostatic pressure . Programming is using a magnet on the display and took many hours to get it right because of the layers in the menu. I installed a T between carbs that feeds the sensor…
It holds the memory of the programming.
Top of the photo…3 green bars…is the gauge…last digit (to the left) turns flashing red and I set it to be the same about of fuel as when I normally going to reserve. Can’t seem to find the provider but looking.
Rod
View attachment 98655
Click to expand...
Would you really trust this with both fuel taps open?
I rely on my trip guage and reserve tap quite a lot
 
I beleive my modern Bonneville uses a temperature based sensor in tank for warning light actuation (no level readout). I find the light comes on erratically (like when heading down long hills) at about 4.5L remaining, then stays on steady with just less than 4L. Gives me about another 100 kms before I need to worry. Never ran it dry so far.

My Hirider 9L tank on Commando takes me about 80 miles reliably, but it will starve engine going down hills or long sweeper left turns if on main tap only at about 4 or 5L remaining.
 
I measured the fuel level with each segment and it‘s pretty accurate…carried a small fuel cell just in case…left it home on the last trip… famous last words…
Thanks for the link Zotz…That’s it… I have been looking for the info to pass on in case someone is interested..
Rod
 
If this works it would be a real blessing.
When riding long distance in different terrain/elevation/headwind/tailwind our two up mileage has varied from low 30s to low 50s mpg Imperial.
This makes the trip meter fuel gauge very inaccurate. On the Vincent we normally look for fuel at 125-135 miles. On flat ground no headwind it will do about 175 miles to dry.
One day in the mountains while bucking a strong headwind we ran it dry at 110 miles.

Glen
 
75 miles I was on reserve today. Another ten miles and I put in 2.9 USG.
 
Last edited:
WEM said:
Float free gas gauge: $150 CAD. Open fuel cap, look in tank: $0 CAD.
Click to expand...
I have never been able to accurately predict mileage to empty by looking in there. Some folks might be great gasoline Diviners but I'm not blessed with that ability.
About the best I can do is say knowingly " There's quite a bit in there" or " There's not much in there".
Neither of those observations have proven terribly useful, as I have learned during hours sitting in hot sun waiting for the rescue truck!
The trip meter is better than the look in the tank, but even the trip meter can fib about fuel and put you in a jam.
One modern bike has a low fuel light, that is a wonderful thing. The other modern bike has a gas gauge, a distance to empty readout and a low fuel warning icon. Better yet.

Glen
 
baz said:
Would you really trust this with both fuel taps open?
I rely on my trip guage and reserve tap quite a lot
Click to expand...

When you install such an option you should know in advance what the capacity of the empty tank is and do the math to determine what your average MPG/LPK that you can trust.

If a rider runs out of fuel on a somewhat regular basis a fuel gage will just add to the distance they have to wait.

The last W-2 I received was from a large Fortune 500 technology company. I staffed the advance groups where each worked on different, but related micro-code, but each of the groups had the same sign that said the same thing:
WHEN WE PRODUCE A FOOL PROOF PRODUCT THE WORLD WILL PRODUCE A BETTER FOOL

A pre-ride check should start at the tank for, at least, leaks and fuel level. I would think that importance of fuel level would be a high priority for those individuals who ride in somewhere between the mountains and the Mississippi River.

I very much like a fuel gage and I applaud the OP, but like the average mileage per tank you need to calibrate the gage, there is no free lunch. This does not mean run it empty, just means your survival could easily be based on how far you've come so you can pretty dammed accurate decision whether to keep going or go back the way you came.

Better yet use the mathematical model and the gage, if you regularly run out of fuel

Good job Britbike850

Best.
 
Of course having no guage other than glancing into tank and doing mental math on my odo numbers means I'm getting the true classic bike experience. Every step we take to add gadgets and dodads to our bikes takes away some of that experience.
 
My method has been to install a larger tank but still ride like you are using the small one! Also installed speedos with trip meters
on all the bikes. Figure on 40mpg and since I ride conservatively it will be closer to an actual 50mph I am fairly safe.
Better to stop and top off than run out.
 
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
 
Imagine driving your car with the fuel gauge disconnected . Then remove the fuel tank and replace it one that gives a hundred mile or so range.
You now have an auto version of a Commando Roadster.
I think most would get that fuel gauge hooked up again pronto!

Glen
 
Pretty funny, I watch the read out for miles left in the tank even though I know it is mostly eyewash. Like the bike I don't temp fate because I know of the consequences.
 
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