Poor range before switching to reserve.

[wyattdbrown]

I have a 1999 tourer and it's only getting to 75 miles before it starts coughing to switch to reserve. I fill up 2.5 gallons so the gas mileage seems right. It does have an inline fuel filter and fuel pump (not my additions). Any suggestions?

[Michvalk]

You need to remove the tank, and clean everything. There is no reason for the bike to need reserve after 2.5 gallons of fuel. I would order the screen, and the O-ring seal, then pull the tank, and give it a good bath. Might also check out the extra stuff added to the fuel system. I'm not a big fan of "fixing" the fuel lines, as so many have had more problems afterward.

[signart]

Put it back like it was when it was made.

[Tx Bohemian]

Do you know what the capacity is in YOUR tank?

If not I'd drain it completely and see how much it takes.

Standard and Tourer are 5.2 gal total.

Reason I'm asking is waaaaay back when some old M/C tanks had a rust problem and one fix was an epoxy type filler that you could coat the inside of the tank.  This would diminish the capacity.
If you didn't buy this bike new maybe someone did this to it.

Or...

Another senario is: there may be something in the tank.
Remember on Easy Rider?  Wasn't it in the tank where they hid their drugs and money??
If there is a PO maybe he forgot...

Just throwing out ideas here...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A question:
Why is there a fuel pump?

[old2soon]

Standard or Tourer or Interstate has like a smidge less than a gallon for reserve STOCK when new. I've run my I/S down to reserve on purpose once or twice. If you need to go to reserve at 75 miles or 2.5 gallons I M H O you have a situation that needs correcting. As a comparison my brothers(da prez)standard is in the 140-150 mile range before needing to switch to reserve GENERALLY. Yes there are exceptions to everything-I've hit rerserve on my I/S at 105-110 miles BUT I was tryin to twist her tail off.   RIDE SAFE.

[PAVALKER]

I'm curious about this "fuel pump" you allegedly have installed.  I believe it just might be an electronic fuel valve.  I have read that those who installed fuel filters have had issues, where the gravitational pressure is insufficient to overcome a clogged filter, or possibly a misrouted fuel line (where it goes down then up and then down again).  If someone installed a filter and fuel valve I suspect a misrouted fuel line.... because there isn't much room for both inline while still maintaining a down hill flow.

I would recommend you pull the tank;
- check the amount of fuel the tank actually holds
- pull petcock and check filter screen that goes up in the tank for obstructions/clogs.
- check for possible kinks in fuel line, vacuum and vent lines, or a misrouted line.  Should have downward flow. May require pulling airbox.
- Pull airbox, check aftermarket fuel filter (remove/replace or just remove), check fuel valve (pump?) and fuel line flow.  This is a gravity fed system.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[John Schmidt]

I've had a Pingle petcock installed for quite a few years, along with an inline filter and a Dan Marc electric shutoff and have had absolutely no trouble. The key is as mentioned; it all has to run DOWNHILL from the petcock. If not, as the gravity pressure lowers from less fuel in the tank, it won't overcome a slight dip in the fuel line. When it's hot out, it also increases the chance of vapor lock in that area. The aftermarket quick release kits often cause similar problems, again due to the extra length of fuel line installed. Do as suggested...remove it all and check it out, item by item. 

[MP]

I'm curious about this "fuel pump" you allegedly have installed.  I believe it just might be an electronic fuel valve.  I have read that those who installed fuel filters have had issues, where the gravitational pressure is insufficient to overcome a clogged filter, or possibly a misrouted fuel line (where it goes down then up and then down again).  If someone installed a filter and fuel valve I suspect a misrouted fuel line.... because there isn't much room for both inline while still maintaining a down hill flow.

I would recommend you pull the tank;
- check the amount of fuel the tank actually holds
- pull petcock and check filter screen that goes up in the tank for obstructions/clogs.
- check for possible kinks in fuel line, vacuum and vent lines, or a misrouted line.  Should have downward flow. May require pulling airbox.
- Pull airbox, check aftermarket fuel filter (remove/replace or just remove), check fuel valve (pump?) and fuel line flow.  This is a gravity fed system.

Good luck and keep us posted.

+1

I would try removing the fuel filter.

Might want to just go back to stock.  Get a new petcock assembly, $100, and the fuel line from it to the carb bank.  Put it on, and see what happens.  Remove "pump", probably a elec. valve, filter, and anything else put on there.

Run OEM, and see what happens.  Bet your problems are solved.

[Gryphon Rider]

Yes, it could be your added fuel filter or the screen within the tank.  Also, if you have an OEM fuel valve, it could be that the vacuum-operated side of the valve is starting to fail.  I.e., there is either a leak in the vacuum hose, or the vacuum diaphragm has a tear in it.  See my post here:
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,37577.0.html

[Willow]

+1

Pay close attention to what PAValker and John Schmidt advised.

Standard or Tourer or Interstate has like a smidge less than a gallon for reserve STOCK when new.

Dennis, the OEM reserve is a bit more than a gallon, not a smidge less.

[BF]

Do you have one of the fuel line quick disconnect kits from RedEye on your tank?  If so, more than likely, that's your problem.  Take it off and return to stock. 

Been there, done that.  I could get to about 80 miles before going to reserve. 

[old2soon]

Thank you Carl as I knew some one would correct me if I was wrong.  IF I need to go to reserve on the highway somewhere between lost and found as SOON as I go to reserve I start looking.  On another note my friend-happy to see yer ride reports.  RIDE SAFE.

[wyattdbrown]

Thanks for the advice. Think ill start by rerouting the fuel line (there is a low side and it spirals down) and getting rid of the in-iine filter after replacing the OEM filter inside the tank. Tank capacity seems accurate. It may be worth while switching to a pingle petcock given the issues people have had with the OEM. Once again thanks for the advice. If I find any drugs Ill report back...

[BradValk48237]

If its a stock, original petcock, then it could be the diaphragm in the stock petcock.....

If thats the case...... If its a pingle then see other advice.....

But if its a stock with a Fuel cutoff added.. then I'd also check the petcock. And IF it is a stock petcock you could just make it a manual since there is an electric fuel cut off....

Just some thoughts.

Brad

[Chiefy]

My Standard would do that at about 83 miles, all the time.  I never ran it much farther on reserve because I didn't want to chance having to push it.

Anyway.  I swapped out the petcock with a new one.  Problem solved.  Old screen was clear as a whistle.  I also have an inline filter, but no fuel pump.