tank size

[dubsider]

I have a 2001 Standard Deluxe model..

I have put as much as 4.5 gallons in the tank and not been in reserve.. so I started to wonder.. How big is the tank..  The standard spec is 5.23 gallons; I do a search and come up with this:

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2001models/2001models-Honda-GL1500CDValkyrieDeluxe.htm

In the description, the tank size is noted at 21.2 liters or 5.6 gallons..
but in the specs at the bottom.. is noted  27.6 liters or 7.29 US gallons.. this is wishful thinking.

??? does anyone have a Standard Deluxe model that can verify the size of the tank.. I hate to run her out of gas to determine the capacity ???

[sandy]

There are no Valks with the "Deluxe" designation. Three models are; Standard; Tourer and interstate. The first 2 have a 5.3 gallon tank. The interstate has a 6.9 gallon tank. Some people have put an IS tank on a Standard or Tourer for a longer range. My bike goes on reserve at 4.1 gallons consistently. Slight differences are possible from bike to bike, usually due to problems with the petcock.

[paps350]

I've never ran my 97 Standard dry but once in a while I run till I go on reserve which is between 140 and 150 miles and it will take roughly 4.2 -4.4 gallons to fill it. As stated numerous times on this site filling a gas tank is a variable opinion as it depends on the way it gets filled.
I would run yours till going on reserve just so you will know that the petcock and reserve pickup is working properly. I think the 5.3 gallon capacity is correct.

[dubsider]

There are no Valks with the "Deluxe" designation. Three models are; Standard; Tourer and interstate. The first 2 have a 5.3 gallon tank. The interstate has a 6.9 gallon tank. Some people have put an IS tank on a Standard or Tourer for a longer range. My bike goes on reserve at 4.1 gallons consistently. Slight differences are possible from bike to bike, usually due to problems with the petcock.

The VIN# designates GL1500CD.. the manual designates GL 1500 C/CD (suggesting there are two variations of the Standard.. the link I shared suggested Deluxe.  I think it has something to do with the Wheels, paint and chrome accents.. 

[RP#62]

All 2001 and on Standards were designated CD's. 
-RP

[dubsider]

I've never ran my 97 Standard dry but once in a while I run till I go on reserve which is between 140 and 150 miles and it will take roughly 4.2 -4.4 gallons to fill it. As stated numerous times on this site filling a gas tank is a variable opinion as it depends on the way it gets filled.
I would run yours till going on reserve just so you will know that the petcock and reserve pickup is working properly. I think the 5.3 gallon capacity is correct.

I am sure you are correct..  I just filled up and and squeezed 4.1 in it.. so I probably stopped just short of reserve.

[Ricky-D]

I'm sure tank capacities are determined by the manufacturers when designing the tank and are derived by mathematical calculations.

I doubt that as a user you can ever fill the tank to the capacity advertised unless the advertised figures are incorrectly stated by the manufacturer.

I also doubt there are any significant differences in capacity between like tanks.

It is also next to impossible to fill the tank to stated capacity since to do so would involve spilling gasoline all over the tank and you never can fill to in front of the tank since some is higher than the fill hole. I guess you could park the bike on a downhill slope and hold the bike vertical but still not ever reach the stated volume capacity.

If someone feels I'm incorrect in what I say, then I would reply, that any variation would probably arise from a problematic fuel pump at your local filling station and you're getting screwed actually.

***

[dalai-lama]

I actually think the specs are pessimistic and not optimistic in that you can fill past where the pump normally would click off by taking time to let the gas settle down.  I have put 6.9 gallons in my I/S and has a little to spare.  I have had this bike for 116K miles so I pretty much know how to fill it by now

Also, some drill out the overflow vent hole to allow gas to be added easier.  But overfilling can cause it to spew fuel especially if overfilled and then it gets warm and the gas expands. 

Just my opinion.

the dalai

[39 Chev]

With my limited skills in filling this tank, it really depends on the gas pump.  On some pumps, you can slow it down to a trickle and really fill it up.  Other pumps "squirt" gas when you really want to go slow and then I end up with gas on the tank.  I've gotten to where I just stop with the tank not very full when I run into a squirting pump.

I was riding yesterday with a guy on a Yamaha of some kind and his filler is on the right hand side of his tank.  When he leans it on the kick-stand, he can fill it to the very top because the tank filler is on the top-most spot on the tank.  Good Idea.

Filling the tank on my previous bikes was not as much as a concern, but with the mileage I get with my Valk (usually 30 to 33 MPG), I want to make sure it's FULL!

[old grouch]

Just for reference, I can put 7.0 gallons in my I/S tank when it is bone dry.  When I switched to the Pingle, I did a test to see how much reserve it left me.  Put 1 gallon in a can in the trunk, rode to reserve, noted mileage, rode to empty, noted the mileage, put the gallon in, went across the street to a gas station ( what can I say, sometimes things just work out) & put 6.1 gallons in the tank.  Based on computed MPG from previous tankfuls with similar usage, the reserve is about 1/2 gallon.  I/S is triked, filler neck is punched, so can fill to the same level every time, except when I get one of those "squirty" pumps.  Stan