remaining fuel

[maxtog]

I was riding this past weekend and refilled after 75 miles (top bar was gone on the "gauge") and it took 1.9 gallons.  Almost two gallons for the first first bar must be why the rest of the bars seem to disappear so much quicker

That seems to be standard practice on just about every gas level display I have ever encountered.  Stays up on F forever, then heads to E at an ever-increasing rate.  It is a conspiracy, I say.

[B.D.F.]

Not on C-14s where it is simply a by- product of KiPass. As the tank level drops and the float <should> fall, the field of Lessened Gravity (TM) won't allow the float and arm to correctly follow the fuel down. While not quite able to overcome gravity completely, KiPass does render it far less important than it normal is; of the five fundamental forces, I believe KiPass falls between the Strong force and the Electromagnetic force in relative strength although it (KiPass) does seem to have a very short relative effective range.

On most other vehicles it IS a conspiracy. On Yamahas it is a design flaw and of Edsels it just does not matter.

Brian

That seems to be standard practice on just about every gas level display I have ever encountered.  Stays up on F forever, then heads to E at an ever-increasing rate.  It is a conspiracy, I say.

[Ddfee]

The "thingy" that is required is an aux fuel tank. I carry about 17 liters extra which gives me about a range of approx 600 kms using both the main and aux. I don't plan on going 6 hrs every trip, but if required, needed or wanted it's there. I don't worry about running low and it's all about having options.

Dave

[Boomer]

My rule of thumb is
Once LOW FUEL rears it's irritating head I normally use the next gas station.
If I am within 30 miles from home (we have a cheaper gas station 1 mile from home) then I will risk it.
I have yet to run out of gas on the C14 but I do ride much more sensibly for that last 30 miles.
Gentle(-ish) starts and I stay below 80Mph.

So, I would guess that you could safely run 30 miles into reserve but how much farther you will get is pure guesswork.
In theory you should get at least 40 miles from reserve but I wouldn't risk it without having spare gas on board.

[ZG]

Or in an elevator

Or in bed     

 
 

[chap]

A few weeks ago I was caught with with no gas stations around. I went 44 km once the Low Fuel came on. When I stopped i put in 29.95 litres. That means 1 litre was still in the tank. But how much of that was usable, I don't know. Way too close for me. I usually fill 15 - 17 litres. I dont see any point in pushing it. it is easier to refuel often than push the bike.

[gPink]

So what's that in real measure? 

[B.D.F.]

The fuel pump is mounted in the bottom of the tank, in a slightly low well welded into the tank proper, and the fuel pickup is at the very bottom of the fuel pump. I cannot say with certainty but I think the amount of fuel left once the pump is starved and sucking air won't be more than a couple of ounces.

And BTW the fuel pump is lubricated and cooled with the fuel that is being pumped, not the actual volume of the fuel sloshing around inside the tank. As the fuel pump pumps too much fuel and the excess is sprayed back into the tank, the simple circulation of the fuel will keep the very small volume of fuel left in the tank cool so there is really no risk to the pump of merely running low on fuel or using all the available fuel. The risk to the pump is actually running the tank dry but even then the ECU will shut down the fuel pump three seconds after the engine stops running (for any reason, not just if it runs out of fuel).

Brian

A few weeks ago I was caught with with no gas stations around. I went 44 km once the Low Fuel came on. When I stopped i put in 29.95 litres. That means 1 litre was still in the tank. But how much of that was usable, I don't know. Way too close for me. I usually fill 15 - 17 litres. I dont see any point in pushing it. it is easier to refuel often than push the bike.

[kennqc]

hmm, with stock size tires, my speedometer reads arond 3 mph faster than my gps.  giving my gps a pass on accuracy it would seem that your miles per gallon calculated by the ecu "might" be off, ie reporting a generous mileage.  if this is all true i would be cautious depending on the odometer to accurately determine how much gas you have left.  i have never really done the easy check and calculated it out after filling the tank.  note*  after replacing the rear tire with a 55, the speedometer is very close to the gps. 

ken

[pistole]

A few weeks ago I was caught with with no gas stations around. I went 44 km once the Low Fuel came on. When I stopped i put in 29.95 litres. That means 1 litre was still in the tank. But how much of that was usable, I don't know. Way too close for me. I usually fill 15 - 17 litres. I dont see any point in pushing it. it is easier to refuel often than push the bike.

- isn't the fuel tank capacity 22 liters , in total ?

.

[C1xRider]

The fuel pump is mounted in the bottom of the tank, in a slightly low well welded into the tank proper, and the fuel pickup is at the very bottom of the fuel pump. I cannot say with certainty but I think the amount of fuel left once the pump is starved and sucking air won't be more than a couple of ounces.

And BTW the fuel pump is lubricated and cooled with the fuel that is being pumped, not the actual volume of the fuel sloshing around inside the tank. As the fuel pump pumps too much fuel and the excess is sprayed back into the tank, the simple circulation of the fuel will keep the very small volume of fuel left in the tank cool so there is really no risk to the pump of merely running low on fuel or using all the available fuel. The risk to the pump is actually running the tank dry but even then the ECU will shut down the fuel pump three seconds after the engine stops running (for any reason, not just if it runs out of fuel).

Brian

I can tell everyone with certainty that once the bike hesitates or stutters from no fuel, you only get a couple more blocks before you'll be parked.  I've tested this scenario a couple of times...   

[ZG]

I can tell everyone with certainty that once the bike hesitates or stutters from no fuel, you only get a couple more blocks before you'll be parked.  I've tested this scenario a couple of times...   

And she's a heavy biatch to push eh Rob... 

[Ddfee]

The tank only holds 21.95 liters or 5.8 US gallons...so if Chap can squeeze in an extra 8 liters , I say way to go!

Dave

[C1xRider]

And she's a heavy biatch to push eh Rob... 

I'm sure she is, but I didn't even try.  I've got a cell phone for those types of problems, 

I was only a mile from where my riding buddy lives, and I know he's always got a gas can around with a little bit in it.  Plus, it only needed a few ounces, as I was less then a mile from the station I was headed to both times.

Now there have been a few times in the middle of BFE where I was getting very nervous, but still made it to a station under it's own power.  One time I put 6.19 gallons in the darn thing.    Jay knows the place - 76 station in Biggs Junction, after eating lunch in Tygh Valley  .  One can burn a lot of fuel on that ride.   

[Jeremy Mitchell]

The tank only holds 21.95 liters or 5.8 US gallons...so if Chap can squeeze in an extra 8 liters , I say way to go!

Dave

Correction.  The tank is rated to hold 5.8 US gallons.  In fact it will hold 6.2 (possibly a little more) US gallons.  I have never run out of fuel but have pushed it to the limit a couple times and found out for myself.  FYI: I add fuel about 3/4" past the interior gashole floorplate.

[texrider]

Correction.  The tank is rated to hold 5.8 US gallons.  In fact it will hold 6.2 (possibly a little more) US gallons.  I have never run out of fuel but have pushed it to the limit a couple times and found out for myself.  FYI: I add fuel about 3/4" past the interior gashole floorplate.

Consider using protection when going past the gashole. 

[martin_14]

any one knows from a device to accurately measure the remaining fuel on the tank?

[gPink]

After three pages I'd guess not.

[VirginiaJim]

any one knows from a device to accurately measure the remaining fuel on the tank?

Good try, Martin.  I don't think we've heard of anything aftermarket like that.  It probably could be 'programmed' into the computer to do that as I think it has the information but Kwak would have to do that.  I'd rather see that than miles left to go.

[martin_14]

I love the wandering and beating and discussing and drifting into totally unexpected directions, specially if it doesn't include KI-PASS, but this time I really needed the answer to my original question. The best explanation came (surprise!) from Brian regarding how the fuel pump actually works and the small danger of running dry. Good thread, all in all. I learnt quite a few new things.

I guess I needed a distraction while my dealer does the 60 000 km (about 37 000 miles) service, puts rear tire and the infamous TÜV to keep the German authorities reassured that everything is as they dictate  . I'll pick her up tomorrow... can't wait.