What's the most gas you ever needed to fill up your STANDARD gas tank.......

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

I was coming home from working in LaFollette with the bike pulling my trailer on 75 south bound and just before the Emory Rd exit she cut out on me. Switched to reserve and no go, she was dry (on a side note that needs investigating ) so I had to coast on the shoulder for about a mile and merge into traffic at the light that was red and right into the Wiegels for gas. Had to paddle her pulling the trailer the last 30 feet just to get to the pump. Whew, that was close. She took     5.308 gals. Thought these were a 5.2 tank  

At least I got a good pic next to the fireworks store Dragon. The store recently burned down allowing a closer photo op.

[Momz]

5.312 Gallons.
I tend to live dangerously.

[hotglue #43]

I put 6 gallons in a standard one time... and I had just gone to reserve!!!!!

Went in to talk to the manager about it, Told him his pump was out of calibration.... and he said 'so what'..That pump was over 20% off.... a real money make for the station... So I called the Dept of Agriculture.... they are the ones that verify acurrate pumps here in Texas.  Did it while standing there, after talking to the manager.  I'm sure they  got a visit from the weights and measurement guys.  

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

I put 6 gallons in a standard one time... and I had just gone to reserve!!!!!

Went in to talk to the manager about it, Told him his pump was out of calibration.... and he said 'so what'..That pump was over 20% off.... a real money make for the station... So I called the Dept of Agriculture.... they are the ones that verify acurrate pumps here in Texas.  Did it while standing there, after talking to the manager.  I'm sure they  got a visit from the weights and measurement guys.  

  At least you had reserve. I switched to reserve but she was already bone dry. Will have to see what caused that. Had the switch indicator off recently but thought it went back on correct and had worked before this and after I had the switch off  and back on again. Oh well...........

[hubcapsc]

Switched to reserve and no go, she was dry (on a side note that needs investigating )

Petcock 

-Mike "on a Valkyrie, it's always the petcock..."

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Switched to reserve and no go, she was dry (on a side note that needs investigating )

Petcock 

-Mike "on a Valkyrie, it's always the petcock..."

Yeah, thats the obvious, but just a rebuild? Bad Diaphram?

Dave- Everyone always blames the petcock. 

[Valker]

Took 5.489 once. I realize the tank is rated 5.3, but I stand it up straight and trickle the last bit in. I was on a lonely stretch of eastern Colorado highway.
Main reason I put an Interstate tank on it.

[Big IV]

I put 6 gallons in a standard one time... and I had just gone to reserve!!!!!

Went in to talk to the manager about it, Told him his pump was out of calibration.... and he said 'so what'..That pump was over 20% off.... a real money make for the station... So I called the Dept of Agriculture.... they are the ones that verify acurrate pumps here in Texas.  Did it while standing there, after talking to the manager.  I'm sure they  got a visit from the weights and measurement guys.  

I put over six gallons of gas into a standard tank once when I wasn't even empty in Arkansas. I went in to tell the clerk. He told me that the pump was right and the price was fair. He then told me that most people didn't really know how big their tank was. He insinuated that I was one of those people. Honestly, I don't know the tank size in the truck or the wife's volvo, but I know the exact size on every bike I've ever ridden.

[sandy]

I rode into a station in Dodge City, KS with the ngine still running on reserve. It took 5.5 gallons. I'd say they were off a bit too.

[Willow]

5.7

[Chrisj CMA]

I wouldnt frequent any station (if theres a choice) where the pump  can show anything close to 6 gallons in a stnd....thats just a rip off!

[MP]

You CAN get more in a tank than rated size, as the size allows for 10-20% air space for expansion of the fuel.  If you start with an empty tank, stand the bike up straight, and fill it to the rim, it WILL take more than stated size.

I believe the rated size is when you fill it, on the sidestand, to the where the fuel just touches the bottom of the tube that sticks into the tank. I also believe that most, if not all, of us fill it more than that full!  LOL

MP

[Chrisj CMA]

You CAN get more in a tank than rated size, as the size allows for 10-20% air space for expansion of the fuel.  If you start with an empty tank, stand the bike up straight, and fill it to the rim, it WILL take more than stated size.

I believe the rated size is when you fill it, on the sidestand, to the where the fuel just touches the bottom of the tube that sticks into the tank. I also believe that most, if not all, of us fill it more than that full!  LOL

MP

I can buy a couple cups more if the bike is held straight up and you fill it to the brim.....not over a half a gallon extra.  Even when I ran out of gas on the way to Daytona last year and coasted to a gas station, it still took very near the 5 gal mark nowhere near 6

[f-Stop]

5.4gal somewhere in Southern Illinois or Southeastern Missouri coming home from InZane earlier this year.  I had hit reserve about 20mi up the road and judging from my mileage I should have only taken around 4.5gal.  Of course, I start thinking that maybe I've developed some sort of fuel issue which is all I can think about until my next fuel stop -- fairly new cover set and vacuum lines...no fuel leaks or fuel smell...running good...good top end acceleration...and how the hell can a 5.3gal tank take 5.4gal? 

Of course, all was well at the next fuel stop and I realized that the previous pump was a little off.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

I guess I should take the question to the tech forum, but without getting into long "pingel rants". Any idea as to what caused the symptom of running thru my reserve while the selector was on Regular. The selector operates properly I believe since removing it briefly and reinstalling, but it does seem toturn the whole assembly slightly when turn it. Maybe I need to recheck if it is lined up properly. Thanks, Dave

[Chrisj CMA]

I guess I should take the question to the tech forum, but without getting into long "pingel rants". Any idea as to what caused the symptom of running thru my reserve while the selector was on Regular. The selector operates properly I believe since removing it briefly and reinstalling, but it does seem toturn the whole assembly slightly when turn it. Maybe I need to recheck if it is lined up properly. Thanks, Dave

all it takes is a slight miss-hit on the selector positioning and the little ball hangs up and although it "looks" like its on "ON" it sucking through all the holes which equals the same as being on reserve

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

I guess I should take the question to the tech forum, but without getting into long "pingel rants". Any idea as to what caused the symptom of running thru my reserve while the selector was on Regular. The selector operates properly I believe since removing it briefly and reinstalling, but it does seem toturn the whole assembly slightly when turn it. Maybe I need to recheck if it is lined up properly. Thanks, Dave

all it takes is a slight miss-hit on the selector positioning and the little ball hangs up and although it "looks" like its on "ON" it sucking through all the holes which equals the same as being on reserve

Thanks, I'll check it out later today. Heading out for a few small jobs with the bike and trailer now. 

[gordorad]

Speaking of reserve.....As a new Valk owner, I was quite surprised the first time I hit reserve.  With my previous ride, (Vulcan 1500 Carb)....It would sputter and actually quit until I switched to reserve.  The first time with the Valk I thought I had a problem as I started to lose power about 3000 RPM's.  I guess this is normal??  How long will the engine continue until the reserve is switched on?

[hubcapsc]

Speaking of reserve.....As a new Valk owner, I was quite surprised the first time I hit reserve.  With my previous ride, (Vulcan 1500 Carb)....It would sputter and actually quit until I switched to reserve.  The first time with the Valk I thought I had a problem as I started to lose power about 3000 RPM's.  I guess this is normal??  How long will the engine continue until the reserve is switched on?

I think it is normal, and a good sign, for a Valkyrie to have a very gentle transition to reserve...

-Mike

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

The smooth transition may be due to there being 6 carbs and not all going dry at the exact same time. Just guessing here.

[Fudd]

The smooth transition may be due to there being 6 carbs and not all going dry at the exact same time. Just guessing here.

The best I can tell, the front cylinders on each side run out first because they are furtherest from the fuel rail input "t's."

I once read 5.7 on the pump, but after going deep into the reserve in the Nebraska badlands, I was just happy to have reached a gas pump.
 

[BigAl]

100 miles on a standard I would get some gas if traveling high speeds.

About 27mpg.

If cruising in the mountains.

33mpg

I usually go by my odometer for gas stops.

Tripmeter actually.

You will never run out that way.

You are probabaly pulling from both reservoirs as stated above.

Adjust it and try it again.

Interstate has a gauge and a reserve, can't beat that. And a little flashy thing.

My knid of bike.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

100 miles on a standard I would get some gas if traveling high speeds.

About 27mpg.

If cruising in the mountains.

33mpg

I usually go by my odometer for gas stops.

Tripmeter actually.

You will never run out that way.

You are probabaly pulling from both reservoirs as stated above.

Adjust it and try it again.

Interstate has a gauge and a reserve, can't beat that. And a little flashy thing.

My knid of bike.

I'm guessing the mpg was affected by the 90 -100 mph pulling the trailer 

[fudgie]

How long will the engine continue until the reserve is switched on?

Longer then your use to. When I switched to the Pingel (  ) the pick up is instantly.

[Fudd]

High speed, into a head wind, pulling a trailer.  Don't count on your odometer as being a good re-fueling guide.  You'll walk.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

High speed, into a head wind, pulling a trailer.  Don't count on your odometer as being a good re-fueling guide.  You'll walk.

Almost did. Paddled the last 30 feet to the pump. 

[¿spoom]

Put 5.43 (easy to remember 5-4-3) gal. in on the way to Sturgis in '97, needed a splash from a buddies jerry can to get that far. I remember the Valk specs originally listing the tank as 5.4 gal btw, and as mentioned that is leaving some airspace.

[Fatboyman05]

So just to clarify,     the fuel valve may be suspect if the tank runs out of fuel on the main setting AND there is none left on the reserve setting also?

Looks like I have some searching in the Tech side.....

[Moonshot_1]

5.2 Gallons
On the way back from the Black Hills.
Filled up in Sundance, Wy. and headed down I90. Hit reserve at 123 miles and made it to Wall.
Really terrible head wind all the way home that day.

Anyway...
Forget to set it back to "ON" and left it in reserve.
We hit the road. We get to 121 miles and I figure we better get off the road to hit the gas station and get fueled up cause we weren't going to get to Chamberlain  on what I had and I'd be hitting the reserve soon.

Rolled up to 4.8 gallons and I was getting mad cause this pump was really off and I hadn't hit reserve yet. Then it occurred to me to check. And yup, been on reserve since Wall. 5.2 gallons.

Dodged a bullet on that one.

[Chrisj CMA]

5.2 Gallons
On the way back from the Black Hills.
Filled up in Sundance, Wy. and headed down I90. Hit reserve at 123 miles and made it to Wall.
Really terrible head wind all the way home that day.

Anyway...
Forget to set it back to "ON" and left it in reserve.
We hit the road. We get to 121 miles and I figure we better get off the road to hit the gas station and get fueled up cause we weren't going to get to Chamberlain  on what I had and I'd be hitting the reserve soon.

Rolled up to 4.8 gallons and I was getting mad cause this pump was really off and I hadn't hit reserve yet. Then it occurred to me to check. And yup, been on reserve since Wall. 5.2 gallons.

Dodged a bullet on that one.

Yep, you dodged a bullet fer sure.  LOL  Those are the pump readings I get as well when shes bone dry.  Now, I only fill on the side stand but as high as I can get it without an overflow.  4.8 - 5.2  are numbers I recognize.  NO WAY another half a gallon is going in there by standing it up straight.  I wonder how common pumps reading "off" like that are? I guess I really thought that was a tight system with inspections and all

[Willow]

4.8 - 5.2  are numbers I recognize.  NO WAY another half a gallon is going in there by standing it up straight.  

It does depend a good deal on the lean of the bike, but an additional .3 gallons is pretty normal.

[Chrisj CMA]

4.8 - 5.2  are numbers I recognize.  NO WAY another half a gallon is going in there by standing it up straight.  

It does depend a good deal on the lean of the bike, but an additional .3 gallons is pretty normal.

thats reasonable.......6 gallons on the toll is a mis calibrated pump though

[¿spoom]

FWIW, Just checked my "1997/98 Service Manual" and it lists the capacity as 5.3 gal and I KNOW when I got the bike in June '96 there was 5.4 gal written somewhere. Maybe it's in the little owner's booklet but I'm too lazy to go out and pull the seat. Could've been magazine articles or something, too.

[Michael K (Az.)]

Maybe it was one of those" U.S. gallons/ Imp gallons" zany mix-ups??

[Chrisj CMA]

5.3 is the number I recall as the standards capacity.  Its rare to actually hit 5.3 you have to be VERY empty.......on the side stand 4.8 - 5.0 is about it.......Like Willow said .3 over that when sitting straight up so 5.3 or MAYBE 4 is about the max a properly reading pump is ever going to get into a standard tank.