I/S fuel problem...asking for Al Fowler who is on a trip and in Chattanooga

[Probie (Scooter57)]

What would cause an I/S to have to go on reserve early? Al says that he has to go on reserve at 4 gallons, wondering if the fuel screens being clogged would cause it. Any ideas as to what it could be?

He is on a trip and is currently in Chattanooga and is going to Gatlinburg tomorrow. He doesn't have a computer but can use the one in the lobby and I wanted to get this thread started so he has some possible answers.

[John U.]

A badly clogged screen might do it. Some have had problems with restriction caused by added fuel filters. A bad petcock or a vacume leak in the line that runs to the petcock could very likely be the problem. A leaking vacume line would be the easiest but the stock petcock will need a rebuild eventually. You can order a "cover set" from HDL for about 25.00. You'll need to order the screen as well, it doesn't come with the cover set.

[MikeT]

Is the Red Eye fuel line quick disconnect installed on the bike?  I had one that was kinked and did the same thing.

[Thunderbolt]

Mine did something similar, put the cover set on and it was o.k. afterwards.

[Al in Arkansas]

Thanks for getting this started Scooter!  Mike I do have the quick disconnect installed.  I'll take a look at that.  I haven't looked at anything at this point.  I've just been filling up a bit sooner than usual and praying  .  Last three tanks have done this.  right around 4 gallons and I'm on reserve.  Kinda strange.  Runs ok after I go to reserve, but I haven't pressed my luck and gone much farther after that. 
Thanks for the help guys!  Like Scooter said we'll be in Gatlinburg today and plan to stay all week.  It will be easier to work on it there if needed than a roadside repair.
Al

[Farther]

Check your tank vent for kinks too while you are under there.

[Larry]

With the Red Eye loop setup, as the tank goes down there is less pressure pushing fuel through compared to a stock setup and so you have to switch sooner.  Apparently an air bubble forms which takes abit of time to work it's way back up into the tank and when you are on reserve there is again enough pressure to keep fuel flow happening. Ran into the same problem when I switched to the Red Eye system. I emailed him about another matter and mentioned this problem. He thought maybe turning the loop onto it's side may help.

[MikeT]

As mentioned in an earlier post, I too had the Red Eye set up.  The problem I had was the hose kinked at each fitting in the loop.  This caused the fuel restriction.  The looped hose should have been a formed hose to prevent kinking.  I informed Red Eye of what I felt was a design flaw.  I took the thing out of there and no problems since.

[Ricky-D]

I don't understand what's happened!

I did post on this thread but now it's gone. I also saw a reply to my thread on this same, but it's gone also.

Can anyone enlighten me to exactly what's happened?

***

[Willow]

I don't understand what's happened!

I did post on this thread but now it's gone. I also saw a reply to my thread on this same, but it's gone also.

Can anyone enlighten me to exactly what's happened?

***

The post did nothing to clarify the situation for the original poster.  I removed it to avoid unnecessary complexity and to reduce confusion I removed the reply also.

[Larry]

As mentioned in an earlier post, I too had the Red Eye set up.  The problem I had was the hose kinked at each fitting in the loop.  This caused the fuel restriction.  The looped hose should have been a formed hose to prevent kinking.  I informed Red Eye of what I felt was a design flaw.  I took the thing out of there and no problems since.

He also mentioned he instals a couple hose clamps where the hose kinks to help keep the hose rounded. He says fuel flow is 32oz/minute whereas the required flow is 12. On his site now the picture has the clamps installed, mine didn't have them. My fuel flow is fine until I'm almost out and need to switch. It does take some for the bike to smooth out, longer than stock for sure.

[Probie (Scooter57)]

Saw Al at the Fall Color Ride in Robbinsville NC. He said the problem quit on its own, only happened on 3 tanks but he said he did lift the tank to see if it was kinked and it wasn't.