Run out of Gas tip from my Mechanic
#13
02-05-2017 | 06:22 PM
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From: Honah Lee
All these years I have never liked reaching down trying to rotate a lever with some idiot behind me in a 4 1/2 ton SUV. Besides my butt never makes it too many over 100 miles before it aches. So even with no lever, a fuel gage and a light, I just fill up at or around 100 miles. Haven't wore the gas cap threads out yet. I guess I have the luxury of never being in a hurry to get anywhere however.
#16
02-13-2017 | 09:19 AM
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Joined: Feb 2017
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From: Fountain Hills, Arizona
Bought a new 1989 FLHS and set out on a trip from Houston, Texas to Los Angeles, Ca after doing a 500 mile service.
Out on I-10 just east of San Antonio, I pushed my luck on reserve and ran outta gas. I felt like such as dumbass.
Fortunately a motorist took pity on me and got me to a gas station. It's a mistake you make only once.
Never thought about the tip offered here.
Out on I-10 just east of San Antonio, I pushed my luck on reserve and ran outta gas. I felt like such as dumbass.
Fortunately a motorist took pity on me and got me to a gas station. It's a mistake you make only once.
Never thought about the tip offered here.
#17
02-13-2017 | 12:12 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
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From: Newcastle, OK
My softail gets 35 miles per gallon or so. I put about 3.6 to 3.8 gallons in when I fill up right after hitting reserve. According to the owners manual, total fuel capacity is 4.2 gallons meaning my reserve is 0.6 to 0.8 gallons. The owners manual says reserve is 0.75 so that sounds about right.
So, I have maybe 15 to 25 miles after hitting reserve. Usually I fill up before I hit reserve, around 100 miles or so. Last time I hit reserve was at 123 miles. I suspect I would get a bit more continuous mellow riding.
Anyway, not a lot of room for finding a gas station in some places without going out of your way.
So, if I push it too much, I might find myself out of gas at some point. Anyway, my mechanic gave me a tip for running out of gas.
Lean the bike to the left. Give it a few minutes to let all fuel drain to the left side. Then pinch the tube between tanks with vise grips to keep the fuel on the left side that feeds the engine. Perhaps enough to get you a few miles down the road and make it to a gas station.
Thought it was a cool tip.
So, I have maybe 15 to 25 miles after hitting reserve. Usually I fill up before I hit reserve, around 100 miles or so. Last time I hit reserve was at 123 miles. I suspect I would get a bit more continuous mellow riding.
Anyway, not a lot of room for finding a gas station in some places without going out of your way.
So, if I push it too much, I might find myself out of gas at some point. Anyway, my mechanic gave me a tip for running out of gas.
Lean the bike to the left. Give it a few minutes to let all fuel drain to the left side. Then pinch the tube between tanks with vise grips to keep the fuel on the left side that feeds the engine. Perhaps enough to get you a few miles down the road and make it to a gas station.
Thought it was a cool tip.
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Sorg67 (02-20-2017)
#18
02-20-2017 | 09:46 AM
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From: Florida
Thanks.
I am getting some fuel oozing out of the left (lower) end of the tube. The tube is relatively new. I replaced the hose clamp. Perhaps I over tightened. I put the clamp very close to the nub on the end of the fitting that comes out of the bottom of the tank.
Any thoughts? The fuel oozes out of the end of the hose.
I am getting some fuel oozing out of the left (lower) end of the tube. The tube is relatively new. I replaced the hose clamp. Perhaps I over tightened. I put the clamp very close to the nub on the end of the fitting that comes out of the bottom of the tank.
Any thoughts? The fuel oozes out of the end of the hose.
#19
02-20-2017 | 10:33 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Honah Lee
Screw Hose clamps suck for modern thin wall hose. And especially on thin wall radiators and hose were you now see the full circle spring clamp. It keeps up with a ageing hose. See old school people take them off only to find out what a mess they end up with.
That small screw clamp has that extra plate in there and is neither round nor 360 with couple openings under there.
You truly need the original swage clamp like come on it. Get the proper non pressure gas hose from Harley may help with your clamp since I do not believe it has that cord in it and is thicker. Not sure if there is a 360 spring clamp that would be designed for this. It actually is a pretty dangerous area to try and design a jury rigged system. You do not want to be dripping gas on a hot motor. If your mechanic put that on there, I would get another mechanic. It's not your job to teach him on how to do proper work.
That small screw clamp has that extra plate in there and is neither round nor 360 with couple openings under there.
You truly need the original swage clamp like come on it. Get the proper non pressure gas hose from Harley may help with your clamp since I do not believe it has that cord in it and is thicker. Not sure if there is a 360 spring clamp that would be designed for this. It actually is a pretty dangerous area to try and design a jury rigged system. You do not want to be dripping gas on a hot motor. If your mechanic put that on there, I would get another mechanic. It's not your job to teach him on how to do proper work.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; 02-20-2017 at 10:40 AM.
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Sorg67 (02-20-2017)
#20
02-20-2017 | 11:07 AM
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From: Florida
Thanks Ripsaw. The tube was leaking and I replaced the clamp with a small screw hose clamp like you describe. The clamp that was on there had an opening on one side with holes that a set of teeth fit into. On the other side there was a nub that was used to tighten the clamp with plyers.
It appeared to me that a standard hose clamp would be more effective so I replaced it. It seems to ooze less now but still oozes some. Does the clamp I describe above sound like the right kind? There is a standard hose clamp on the other side that does not leak. But it makes sense that the left side would be more difficult to seal since it is the lower side and in the direction of the flow.
I googled "swage clamp". That does not look like what was on there and it does not look like what I need. I have used this kind of clamp before rigging sail boats and rigging heavy duty off shore fishing gear. But maybe there is something else I should be looking at.
Do you have a picture of what the correct clamp looks like? Or know where I could find one?
It appeared to me that a standard hose clamp would be more effective so I replaced it. It seems to ooze less now but still oozes some. Does the clamp I describe above sound like the right kind? There is a standard hose clamp on the other side that does not leak. But it makes sense that the left side would be more difficult to seal since it is the lower side and in the direction of the flow.
I googled "swage clamp". That does not look like what was on there and it does not look like what I need. I have used this kind of clamp before rigging sail boats and rigging heavy duty off shore fishing gear. But maybe there is something else I should be looking at.
Do you have a picture of what the correct clamp looks like? Or know where I could find one?