Reserve on a 1997 Standard

[MrArn]

Just got my 1997 Standard a few months ago. Because I live in New Mexico where it can be a long distance between gas stations, it's important for me, to really understand how far my bike will go on a tank of gas.

This weekend with the understanding that my bike has 5.3 gallons with 1.1-gallon reserve and with the 33-36 MPG I got cruising between 75-85 on the first 200 miles of the trip.  Both, made me believe that a 150 mile hop to the next gas station was well in the range of my bike. The bike hit the reserve tank at 117 miles,  made it into the town at 148 miles, but then the bike only took 4 gallons of gas.

Once I hit the reserve I was nervous, because it was more than 30 miles of desert to the next gas and if it didn't make it, the hassle factor was huge.  I'd really like an understanding of what happened.

The fact that it only took 4 gallons has really thrown me.
In real life is a full tank less than 5.3 gallons?
Can my reserve be kicking in early?
 

[Bobbo]

Looks like you got 37 MPG, which is common for highway riding.  The reserve is simply a stand tube in your tank, and the selector valve selects if it will draw from the top (normal) or bottom (reserve).  There is a metal screen "sock" over the tube, and if it gets clogged you will hit reserve early.  You can take out the petcock and check it.  I think instructions are in the tech section.

[gregc]

How far are you filling the tank?  There is a small vent hole, inside the fill hole on the right.  Take a small tapered punch, put it in the hole wiggle it around and enlarge the hole.  Then, when you fill the tank it will take more gas before it clicks off on auto, maybe an inch more.  Hope this helps..

[czuch]

At 100 start lookin. There aint no pushin and she wont be there when you come back. I dude I know wanted a Valk motor to put in a dune buggy. Not a bad idea really, just not mine.

[SCain]

MrArn, welcome to the board, there are a few of us that live in or around the Alb. area, send me an email with your phone # and I'll make sure to call you if we are going to ride.

How far are you filling the tank?  There is a small vent hole, inside the fill hole on the right.  Take a small tapered punch, put it in the hole wiggle it around and enlarge the hole.  Then, when you fill the tank it will take more gas before it clicks off on auto, maybe an inch more.  Hope this helps..

gregc,
I think the small hole inside the filler cap is for the tank vent that exits the rear of the tank and allows air inside the tank when the cap is closed. I don't think enlarging this hole will do anything for you except make it easier for fuel to escape through the vent. I could be wrong, just my .02
Thx

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I fill my up with the bike standing straight up and I can get alittle more fuel in the tank. I enlarged the vent hole in my tank with a drift punch.

[sandy]

If your petcock is beginning to fail, it'll have those symptoms. It wants to go to reserve early. Next time you need reserve, put it back in "ON" after a few seconds and see if it stays in "ON". You might need a cover set kit from Honda.

[gregc]

The vent hole I am talking about, is in the fill tube in the tank.  It is on the right side, high side when on the side stand, when you enlarge the hole, it allows the air at the top of the tank to escape faster. This allows you to get a higher level of fuel in the tank before the auto shut off stops the pump.  The vent just goes between the filler neck tube and empty air space on high side of the tank.
 I have enlarged mine, and it allows the fuel to go about an inch higher in the tank.

[Tropic traveler]

Even after checking out & fixing any possible petcock issues that others have correctly pointed out you may want to consider a couple more things. 1997's are notorious for having more power & getting fewer M'sPG than other years. My personal findings bear this out.
If you are going to be riding long no-gas station rides be mindful of your speed & headwinds. Both can make a HUGE difference in your miles per tankful. Do a search for extra gas carrying solutions, there are lots of good ideas in the threads concerning that topic. 

BTW... Welcome fellow '97 owner!!


The original is still the best!!!

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I have a 97 standard also. I never use the auto shut-off on the pump and I never fill her while she is on the side stand. I stay on the bike, keep it upright and while looking in the tank fill it all the way up. You'll get more in the tank that way. And because you're holding the gas nozzle mostly out of the tank the vent won't be an issue.

[Tropic traveler]

I have a 97 standard also. I never use the auto shut-off on the pump and I never fill her while she is on the side stand. I stay on the bike, keep it upright and while looking in the tank fill it all the way up. You'll get more in the tank that way. And because you're holding the gas nozzle mostly out of the tank the vent won't be an issue.

True! Same experience I've had.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

By the way. I've gotten as low as 24MPG and as high as 37-38 MPG from my 97 standard. As was mentioned above, speed and headwind makes a big difference as does quality of the gas you buy. I've gotten bad gas twice from BP stations, one is South Dakota and once in one of the Southern states. I don't buy BP gas now but both times my mileage was horrible on those fill-ups on top of the bike running weak.

[Quicksilver]

I go to reserve regularly at around 124 miles filling tank normally. I ride a 97 with a memphis shades batwing faring. Speed is usually 100 km /hr or about 60mph.

[Hoser]

At 5 gal fill after 150 miles, that is still 30mpg.  150 miles is pretty safe range most of the time.  Hoser

[Piper]

MrArn

Once you get your reserve issue figgured out I would like to bring your attention to
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,24343.0.html
Just a short ride to the east of you in Tucumcari.

[MrArn]

Thanks for the help.

I'm going to try filling the bike while I'm holding it up, at the very least it will give me a consistent level of gas each fill up.

Next I'm going to run it to reserve during the week for the next couple of tanks and check how much gas it takes to fill it up.

[MP]

At 5 gal fill after 150 miles, that is still 30mpg.  150 miles is pretty safe range most of the time.  Hoser

I have hit reserve on my 97 at about 74 miles a number of times, and gone to reserve.  That is pushing hard, ie over 80 mph.  And, everything was working correct!

You WILL be stopping more than usual on our way down to the BBQ!  LOL

MP

[Hoser]

I never get as low as 30 mpg, and with the pingel reserve,  I carry a half gallon in the saddle bag.  I used to be a boy scout. I'll keep us going.  Check out the new tires, MP.   Hoser    

[BF]

I have a 97 standard also. I never use the auto shut-off on the pump and I never fill her while she is on the side stand. I stay on the bike, keep it upright and while looking in the tank fill it all the way up. You'll get more in the tank that way. And because you're holding the gas nozzle mostly out of the tank the vent won't be an issue.

Have a '97 too.  What he said.........fill up with bike up-right.   

I've hit reserve at 105 before and 135 before.....just depends. 

[sandy]

Try these to carry extra fuel.
http://redagascan.com/bikebags/

[Russell Rice]

buy an interstate tank and install that. 7 gallons and around 240 miles on a tank I had a 97 with a 5 gallon tank and when I would ride it like I stole it I was getting 80 miles per tank

[MP]

I never get as low as 30 mpg, and with the pingel reserve,  I carry a half gallon in the saddle bag.  I used to be a boy scout. I'll keep us going.  Check out the new tires, MP.   Hoser    

Nice tires, hoser.  Looks like I can leave the duct tape at home!  LOL   

MP

[R J]

MrArn, welcome to the board, there are a few of us that live in or around the Alb. area, send me an email with your phone # and I'll make sure to call you if we are going to ride.

How far are you filling the tank?  There is a small vent hole, inside the fill hole on the right.  Take a small tapered punch, put it in the hole wiggle it around and enlarge the hole.  Then, when you fill the tank it will take more gas before it clicks off on auto, maybe an inch more.  Hope this helps..

gregc,
I think the small hole inside the filler cap is for the tank vent that exits the rear of the tank and allows air inside the tank when the cap is closed. I don't think enlarging this hole will do anything for you except make it easier for fuel to escape through the vent. I could be wrong, just my .02
Thx

When you enlarge that hole it is easier to fill it too the top of the tank if you are setting on the bike and holding it upright.  Especially with those nozzles that have a squeeze tube on them.   It lets it fill up instead of bubbling and burping.

PS:     When ya hit 110 miles on the trip odometer, start looking for a gas station.   When I used to ride all over that area, I never passed up an opportunity to put in gas even if I only had 30 miles on the tank, especially when you do not know the area and gas availability.   Otherwise, get you a jerry can, 1/2 gal or gallon size and carry it in the saddlebag or the back seat on those trips out wandering around.

[Dragonryder2]

Here in New Mexico I'm known as "Outta Gas".  My 01 standard only got about 160 miles per tank.  I put a belly tank on it and haven't run outta gas since. 

The 97's and 98's all do much better.  I don't think my hubby has ever run outta gas.

In New Mexico if I'm passing a gas station at around 120-140 miles I would fuel up.  You did way better than I ever did. 

Congrats on the new Valk.  Keep the chrome side up.

[Ice]

I aint sure of what I am doing different but I do not go reserve until 150-160 Miles and you can ask the few that know me, I ride like I am running from the cops She's a 2000 Standard. As many have pointed out it depends on the way and weather yoru riding in.

[Willow]

She's a 2000 Standard. As many have pointed out it depends on the way and weather yoru riding in.

Mostly it depends on how full one fills the tank.  My 2001 Standard normally hits reserve at 142 and will go around 180 on a tank.  I've gotten more or less under unusual conditions.

If I fuel as soon as I hit reserve she'll take 4.2 gallons.

[Chiefy]

If your petcock is beginning to fail, it'll have those symptoms. It wants to go to reserve early. Next time you need reserve, put it back in "ON" after a few seconds and see if it stays in "ON". You might need a cover set kit from Honda.

That makes no sense.  And it's exactly what happened to my 98 Standard also.  I was expecting to find the screens clogged when I took it apart, but they were clean.  I replaced it with new, and went from 85~105 miles to reserve to 127.  Haven't run the tank out yet.

[MP]

If your petcock is beginning to fail, it'll have those symptoms. It wants to go to reserve early. Next time you need reserve, put it back in "ON" after a few seconds and see if it stays in "ON". You might need a cover set kit from Honda.

That makes no sense.  And it's exactly what happened to my 98 Standard also.  I was expecting to find the screens clogged when I took it apart, but they were clean.  I replaced it with new, and went from 85~105 miles to reserve to 127.  Haven't run the tank out yet.

I believe what he means is that when the diaphram starts to fail, it will shut off sooner.  The height of the gas helps keep it open.  I have seen this a number of times.  If all of a sudden, you do not go as long as before before you need to switch to reserve, the diaphram has a small leak, and need a new cover set.

MP

[MrArn]

I've done four tanks of riding to reserve and filling my bike while holding it upright.

It looks like I'm getting around 1/2 gallon more gas in my tank.  Upright fueling has put me at 135+ miles before hitting reserve on my last 4 tanks. Plus each fill up was right around 4 gallons, just what I expected it to be.

Thanks for the help.

[paps350]

My 97 Standard goes to reserve around 140 miles at 125 miles I look for gas. I fill up with the bike  standing straight up and fill to a couple inches below top of filler neck.