Feels like she's starving at highway speeds

[pacowboy78]

Apologies if this has already been covered.  I searched it out but didn't find anything specific.  Today I had the tank off to replace the air filter.  I was very careful with the vac lines and the tank vent.  The bike ran fine before removing the tank.  After reassembling everything, she idles fine and runs fine up until I go to get on it.  As soon as I roll on the throttle for anything more than about 3500 RPM's, it feels as though the bike is starving and there just isn't enough fuel getting through.  I took the tank back off and did a quick inspection of the vac lines, but didn't notice anything out of the ordinary.  I also checked the tank vent line as well.  Dumb move of the day, I forgot to turn off the POS petcock, so with as much fuel as ran everywhere, I believe it to be working alright.  Any ideas?  BTW, you folks are a god send.  I've learned more reading the tech boards than I ever did following the shop manuals for my bikes.

[old2soon]

Did you install an inline fuel filter?? Did you create a low spot in the fuel line?? Sounds simple but is the fuel petcock on?? Is the inside of your tank clean and RUST free?? If it burbles again try leaving the fuel cap open. If she runs good with fuel cap open ya gots a prolemo in the vent line somewhere. Let us know what you find out please. RIDE SAFE.

[pacowboy78]

No inline filter has been installed and yeah, the petcock is on, i tried it in all three positions actually.  I'll check for low spots when i get into it again tomorrow evening, I'm out of time for today.  If that doesn't square the issue I'll get into running it with the tank open and see from there.  F'n Vac lines will be the death of me if that's the case.

[amazngrace]

You said that the petcock was on and fuel was running out. NO fuel should run unless there
is vacuum on the petcock. If it does, then you have a bad petcock!
This could also be a contributor to your original problem.

...ED

[MP]

NO fuel should flow out. You have a petcock problem.

MP

[Patrick]

It sounds as of you have a defective petcock.. Check in the off position too,, these are famous for not shutting off completely..
It also sounds as if the vent line is kinked/pinched.. Its common when the tank is removed.. As the fellas said though,, if opening the gas cap corrects the problem,, thats your problem..

[pacowboy78]

After a slow day at work of reading the board for a few hours, I've decided to install a pingle and inline filter as well as do a desmog (which, after last night, is about done).  I'm also considering adding a 12v fuel shutoff solenoid.  When pulling the secondary air lines off of the headers, instead of re using the gaskets that are on it, is a high temp constant use RTV sealant ok?

[JC]

I'm also considering adding a 12v fuel shutoff solenoid.  When pulling the secondary air lines off of the headers, instead of re using the gaskets that are on it, is a high temp constant use RTV sealant ok?

Fuel filter + shutoff solenoid = not much room remaining for fuel line, watch for kinks, don't ask how I know......

The RTV should be fine.

[pacowboy78]

Only reason I elected to go with the filter is because I'll be soldering a longer tube onto the pingel.  I'm not comfortable with a 20 mile reserve.  I occasionally get riding in places where there just needs to be more.  I nearly lost it in Wyoming (different bike), so I tend to really worry about that.  Opinion being to ditch the solenoid then?

[flatsixrider]

Why increase the reserve when all it will do is decrease the non reserve portion?  You will still have the same volume of fuel.  Enlighten me?

[pacowboy78]

Why increase the reserve when all it will do is decrease the non reserve portion?  You will still have the same volume of fuel.  Enlighten me?

Has nothing more than being comfortable in a routine.  I'm "that guy" that pretty much has a routine for everything and I like knowing that I have X miles to go before things are critical.  Absolutely no basis in logic.  Just a personal hangup I guess, along with redheads and good beer.

[Bone]

The fuel system on my 98 Tourer is stock well I did convert the petcock to manual. I like the 1 gallon reserve but it wasn't enough. Riding across a desert area in N. NM she acted like she wanted to go to reserve but that couldn't be I had traveled 8? miles since fill-up. I did the switch and she ran like she should. Wow I did the math and the mpg was real low and my bike thermometer was showing 101º. No gas stations I had run out of gas the first time in 4 decades !
There was a station 1 mile ahead I guess I was lucky
The wind sure made her thirsty running 85 mph.

[Daniel Meyer]

Why increase the reserve when all it will do is decrease the non reserve portion?  You will still have the same volume of fuel.  Enlighten me?

Mileage varies on my standard between 18mph and 40mpg depending on fuel, conditions, temp, wind, my throttle wrist, average speed, etc...reserve is the only way I know how much fuel there is left?

[R J]

If you install the filter, which in my book is a problem creator, make sure the fuel does not have to go uphill after it exits the filter.

She will starve on ya.......   In some cases, she will just flat out quit on ya.

One you have extended your little wire inside the tank, make damn sure you have it cleaned up of solder that you may have dropped.    If so, you will not need that filter in the line.

My bike, when the speedo hits 100 miles my butt says it is time to refuel.

Also, if I'm running the Western states, I do not pass up a chance to refuel.

Knock on wood, I have not run out of fuel with MGM for 242K, plus change miles.

Now my Gold Wing and MY Yamaha Royale, both of those bombs I ran out of fuel, and they both had fuel gauges.

[pacowboy78]

Re: the fuel filter.  I work at an equipment dealer, and I've seen too many avoidable problems caused by things that a clean and working fuel filter would have resolved.  Gas ain't what it used to be, and not all service stations are selling good fuel.  I treat every tank with Star Tron and it gets a hit of sea foam every few tanks, but I'm just not a trusting guy.  If I see it causing an issue, it'll go, but until then, I'm likely to keep it.

[ryord]

I had ongoing problems with the OEM petcock, I put in a Golan and a pingle inline filter, very good, I have always turned the gas off when I pull over so it is very natural to use the manual petcock.  I now trust my 2001 Standard to take me anywhere.

[flatsixrider]

Mileage varies on my standard between 18mph and 40mpg depending on fuel, conditions, temp, wind, my throttle wrist, average speed, etc...reserve is the only way I know how much fuel there is left?

That is fair.