Fuel level sending unit, GL1500CF Interstate (fixed)

[falconbrother]

I had a leaky O-ring on the fuel level sending unit on my 1999 Interstate.  I flipped the tank and pulled the sending unit loose and replaced the O-ring.  Now, my fuel gauge reads full all the time.  Last night I pulled the tank again.  Pulled the sending unit, twice.  I got it to temporarily work, sort of.  I think the problem is with the sensor pad between the float and where it senses the position of the float.  I looked at it as best I could, since it seems impossible to fish the unit out through the hole access point.  Any ideas on what I can do to address this issue?  

[Ricky-D]

Most times that complaint is because the sending unit has been reinstalled into the tank in a backwards position.

So that, is what I would say, is your problem.

***

[falconbrother]

I tried turning it around and it seems to only goes one way.  The float goes to the back of the tank easily.  If I try to make it go towards the front it won't fit. 

All of the aftermarket chrome on this bike makes pulling the tank an ordeal.  I'm pretty sick of pulling the chrome crap and then the tank.  There's every reason to believe that the aftermarket chrome crap will live in the garage from now on.  My bikes are for riding, not looking.   

[3W-lonerider]

if you have the float towards the back of the tank, its in backwards. float goes towards the front.

[John Schmidt]

Getting the sender out/in will test your religion for sure and it does sound like it is in backward. As stated, the float goes toward the front and when installed the wiring should be toward the rear. It will go in that way, just don't be in a hurry.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I tried turning it around and it seems to only goes one way.  The float goes to the back of the tank easily.  If I try to make it go towards the front it won't fit. 

All of the aftermarket chrome on this bike makes pulling the tank an ordeal.  I'm pretty sick of pulling the chrome crap and then the tank.  There's every reason to believe that the aftermarket chrome crap will live in the garage from now on.  My bikes are for riding, not looking.   

Which chrome items are you removing to get the tank off ?

[baldo]

I tried turning it around and it seems to only goes one way.  The float goes to the back of the tank easily.  If I try to make it go towards the front it won't fit. 

All of the aftermarket chrome on this bike makes pulling the tank an ordeal.  I'm pretty sick of pulling the chrome crap and then the tank.  There's every reason to believe that the aftermarket chrome crap will live in the garage from now on.  My bikes are for riding, not looking.   

Which chrome items are you removing to get the tank off ?

My thoughts exactly...

[gordonv]

As stated, the float goes toward the front and when installed the wiring should be toward the rear.

As stated, wires go out towards the rear of the tank. Mine was placed to the side, and wouldn't ever work right. Always used mileage to reserve.

[falconbrother]

I tried turning it around and it seems to only goes one way.  The float goes to the back of the tank easily.  If I try to make it go towards the front it won't fit. 

All of the aftermarket chrome on this bike makes pulling the tank an ordeal.  I'm pretty sick of pulling the chrome crap and then the tank.  There's every reason to believe that the aftermarket chrome crap will live in the garage from now on.  My bikes are for riding, not looking.   

Which chrome items are you removing to get the tank off ?

This bike has a bunch of aftermarket chrome stuff on it that's a royal pain to get off.  There's a chrome plate that hides the dead space behind the petcock position selector.  It has three bolts and spacers behind it that are seriously aggravating to mess with.  I dropped two of them and they fell under two more covers that are in the area of the alternator.  That cost me extra time to take all that off to get the spacers.  I got it all back together last night and now, it looks like I'll be taking it off again to get the sensor turned around.  But, not tonight, or till next week.  I'm flat out of time to be wrenching.  I'll ride it like it is till next week. 

I'm the third owner.  The first owner added all kinds of stuff, CB, floorboards, loud exhaust, touring seat with studs, CD changer, chrome out the butt.  The second owner was my buddy.  He added LEDs.  My buddy died of pancreatic cancer on March 2nd.  He and I rode together a lot and we did a lot of PGR missions together.  He wanted me to have his bike so, when he died his wife asked me if I would buy it so, I said I would.  My old Harley is for sale and I will keep dropping the price till it's gone.  It's being consigned. 

So, let me be sure I understand this.  The wires go to the rear so, the metal wire arm that comes off of the plate, into the tank, goes off to one side?  If the wires face to the rear then the arm must go to one side...?  Which would make sense as the float would measure the level on one side of the tank.  I wish I had paid closer attention to how it comes apart but, it was leaking gas all over the place.  The O-ring that was in there was cut really bad.  With the heat of summer coming on it would get hot and leak gas all over the hot engine.  Nevertheless, I broke the number one rule.  Pay attention..

[The emperor has no clothes]

That chrome engine hanger cover doesn't need to be removed. If you want to remove it there is a much easier fix. Remove the chrome bolts and replace them with studs and chrome acorn nuts. It makes it much easier. But if you do not want them on your bike I'm sure you can get a good price for them in our classifieds.

[falconbrother]

So, I couldn't resist and pulled it all apart again and turned the fuel level sending unit 90 degrees so the wires were facing to the rear which puts the actual float off to one side.  Suddenly everything works as it should and my tank is on fumes..LOL..  I plan to keep this bike for a very long time, relatively speaking.