Only getting 3.5 gallons out of my gas tank!?!?!

[forestb]

Shortly after buying my 97 Valk, I ran out of gas at a mere 114 miles.  I switched to reserve and it had no effect....  I ran out of gas twice more recently (at 98 and 111 miles) and again the reserve didn't work.  When I fill the tank at the gas station after these occasions, I only get around 3.5 gallons into the tank before it's filled to the brim.  I think the gas tank is 5.3 and I'm only getting 3.5 gallons out of it?!?!  So it seems the reserve ain't working.

What is the likely problem/solution?  Anything easy to try before I take it in the shop?

Thanks!
Ben

[DFragn]

One possibility is the tanks filter screen is all cruddy towards the bottom where your reserve capacity resides.

You would have to pull the petcock to get to the screen.

[valkyriemc]

Pull the tank, clean it out, pull the screen and eyeball it. Its a pain but you dont know what you got until you do.  I wouldnt let the stealer touch it. I've pull my interstate tank three times over the years.

[Daniel Meyer]

Also...check the tank vent for kinks/pinches/clogs.

[tlanz]

HA! I've pulled my standard's tank (and air box  ) 3 times in the last month! 

WHY? Well, I finally got around to installing my electric fuel shutoff, fuel filter & quick disconnect. Problem was, after the install, I was seeing similar behavior. Bottom line for me was the angle of the fuel line! With the original filter I was using the stackup was too long to go straight into the T feeding the 2 carb banks, so I ran a loop around and came at it from the front.  This configuration, however, caused enough dip & rise in the line which (I believe) resulted in the issue (not enough head pressure when the level got low to push the fuel uphill?)  So, I went to a shorty, steel filter which screws directly into the shutoff and eliminated the loop. She seems to be much happier now, but, I've not had a chance to run her enough to hit reserve again; hopefully I've got it fixed. I'll know for sure over the weekend.

Anyway, fuel line pointing downhill... just another simple thing you might want to check out.