Interstate tank on a standard

[mbramley]

 I'm putting a interstate tank on a standard. Is there anything I should be aware of in the proccess? Suggestions on a fuel guage?

[hubcapsc]

I often fantasize about putting an Interstate tank on my tourer. I even saw
what appeared to be a nicely red-and-white painted one on ebay once.

I have an 1800 Valkyrie also. I like my Tourer's gas gauge (reset the
trip meter every time I fill up) better than the warning light on my 1800.

I think the nose of the seat would fit differently, how much of a problem
that might be probably depends on what kind of seat you have...

-Mike

[Jess from VA]

The led bar on the interstate gas gauge (shows on the dash) bounces all over the place once you're down below 3/4=1/2 full.  It has always made me nervous when riding distance from gas stations.

Barring high speed freeway or real sporty behavior, filling the tanks to the tippy top, both my interstates are very reliably 220 miles to reserve (which is 1.1 gallons).  I find the trip meters more reliable than the gas gauge.

You don't have a tripmeter (I think), but if you note mileage at fillups, 220 miles to reserve is a good benchmark (in lieu of a gas gauge).   

[HayHauler]

Standards have a trip meter.  That is what I use, but on mine, I only let it get to about 160 miles then start looking for fuel. 
Valkyries are tough to push.  haha

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Willow]

A reason the Valkyrie (or almost any motorcycle) fuel gauge isn't always precise is the shape of the tank.  On a tank the is regularly rounded one can closely estimate the amount of fuel in the tank based upon its level.  The shape of the motorcycle tank wrapped around the frame complicates the amount in the tank based upon the level of the fuel.
If one is putting an Interstate tank on his Standard or Tourer don't bother with the gauge.  It's not a meaningful addition. 
One's best method of determining distance left in the tank is the reserve setting.  Go out with the fuel level not yet on reserve and carrying a can of excess fuel.  Run it to reserve.  Note the mile on the odometer (or trip meter) and run constantly at 70 mph until it is completely empty.  That point, noting again the miles, is the range of your reserve.  Honestly, depending on wind and riding habits the miles on reserve may vary but normally not by more than 10%.  I set my desperation point at 10% short of my tested range.

[mbramley]

 Thanks for the information. Apperently I need to figure out what I'm doing wrong. I rarely get more than about 120 miles on my standard before I have to switch to reserve. Coming back from Billings Inzane montana and South Dakota with a headwind, small trailer behind me and in the neighborhood of 90 mph (to keep from getting run over) I would get around 70 miles before reserve. I had calculated a little over 15 mpg in those conditions. Usually around 26-28 mpg normal riding.

[Willow]

There are many factors that contribute to miles on a tank.  Speed, weight, wind, and how full one fills the tank play roles.  I run a Dyna ignition box with a slight advance.  I normally get 143 miles to reserve and 43 more to completely empty.  Over 3000 rpm held starts to reduce the fuel mileage.  Dragging a trailer at 90 mph certainly will drag it down.
A tune up and carb balancing may help.

[Jess from VA]

The simplest thing to do is 1) just start keeping track of your mileage doing the riding you usually do (good or bad), and 2) reset the tripmeter at every fillup, and make it a habit to gas up at about half or third tank left. 

I know my bikes go right around 220 to reserve, but I have not hit reserve in a very long time (on purpose).      

[98valk]

There are many factors that contribute to miles on a tank.  Speed, weight, wind, and how full one fills the tank play roles.  I run a Dyna ignition box with a slight advance.  I normally get 143 miles to reserve and 43 more to completely empty.  Over 3000 rpm held starts to reduce the fuel mileage.  Dragging a trailer at 90 mph certainly will drag it down.
A tune up and carb balancing may help.

How I use the Dyna for max MPG, mod the OEM TW for 6 degrees, use a switch for the Dyna's extra 10 degrees of advance, pretty sure I use curve 7 which maxes at 22 degrees to redline, not like the oem ICMs which increase the advance near redline causing about a lost of 5 HP. so switch off until cruising hwy speeds usually 2500 to 3k rpms switch to on for an extra 10 degrees of advance for better MPG.  with switch off and curve 7 the ignition curve is what the OEM I/S ICM provides.

[strawbobrob]

I’m surprised so may people go by mileage to fill up. I thought the point of the reserve tank was to give you 30 miles within which to find a gas station. My standard goes 128-132 miles before it starts sputtering, unless conditions dictate otherwise. My petcock gets regular excercise.  Question:  when I switched to a Pingel petcock on my Interstate, my reserve range dropped to 15 miles.  Found out the hard way.  Man, what a beast she was to push!  Others with Pingel—is that true for you? 

[Valker]

Same with my Pingel. I go by mileage.

[0leman]

I’m surprised so may people go by mileage to fill up. I thought the point of the reserve tank was to give you 30 miles within which to find a gas station. My standard goes 128-132 miles before it starts sputtering, unless conditions dictate otherwise. My petcock gets regular excercise.  Question:  when I switched to a Pingel petcock on my Interstate, my reserve range dropped to 15 miles.  Found out the hard way.  Man, what a beast she was to push!  Others with Pingel—is that true for you? 

When you live where places to get gas are quite often more that 30 miles you tend to watch the mileage to determine where and when to get gas.   I have only hit the reserve a couple of times and was sweating bullets till got to the pump.  ON an IS when you put in 6.7 gallons that's getting close to pushing.

[John Schmidt]

A long time ago, when I got my manual Pingle I noticed the pickup tube was shorter than OEM. That's why the reserve is less. I went to a local hobby shop and got some model airplane fuel line just big enough to slip over the Pingle pickup tube. Laid the petcocks side by side and cut the tubing to match the length of the OEM plus a bit more to siide over the pickup. Cleaned up the tubing attachment points and soldered in place like you were installing a new water heater. Been over 20 years and still runing that same petcock. The extra tubing is too large for the OEM filter to fit over so I mounted an inline filter in such a way it has a slight decline in the line coming off the petcock. Never have had a problem with it all these years, still running it on the trike.

PS: I still keep an eye on the miles covered. Over seventy year old habits are hard to break, plus I've never seen a fuel gauge that's super accurate. Close...yes, but I'm not into pushing anything these days except for a dinner plate.

[Lionheart763]

I'm in the process of the same change over. Standard 1500 changing the tank and adding the saddle bags with the trunk. Fuel sensor is unavailable. Current mileage, max 120 with pingle, track with mileage, usually fill up at 80 miles. Looked at a Goldwing, but this bike was my bosses. I rode it when it was just a few months old. He stopped riding due to age and aches. Basically he gave it to me. So I don't have room for two bikes and I love the Valk. So it gets upgraded and stays in the family. Painting friend will make it match. Good luck.