What's the deal with the fuel guages on the Fatboy ? I had a problem a few months ago with the guage showing FULL all the time so I took it to the Harley shop and they fixed it for me. They claimed that there's a seam inside of the tank that the float gets hung up on. I asked them how they fixed it but didn't really pay much attention because I figured they solved the problem for good. They told me that I should never have a problem again if I filled my tank with the bike standing up. I guess when it leans on the kick stand, it can swing to the side and get "caught" on this seam again. Ever since then, I've filled my bike up while I'm sitting on it and the fuel guage is screwed up again. I tried shaking the bike from side to side at half-full but that didn't help. I asked another dealer what they thought and they told me that I might as well forget about it working - just stick a piece of electrical tape over the guage and go by mileage. Sure.... great idea !! Why can't Harley come up with a better solution for this ? I think we've all payed Harley Davidson enough money for them to come up with a decent fuel guage...

Has anyone figured out how to fix these things ??

 

I am having a problem with mine also, when I fill up it wont drop past
3/4 even with the key off. I pulled the guage up out of the tank and
shook it and it drops to E like it should. Works fine if I stay below 3/4
of a tank. Talked to my dealer and he said it is a common problem
with the guage itself, said he has several instock, going in on the
17th to get it replaced.

 

explain in a very nice but firm tone of voice

"if i wanted to spend 16,000 grand to look at black tape, i would have bought used and saved a ton"

or something to that effect. thats BS! id call the moco and tell them that one of their dealers wants you to fix your gauge with black tape. thats lame

 

I'd bet that less than 50% of the gauges out there are working properly.

I'm sure its something to do with the shape of the tank and the limited amount of gas that it holds. a slight angle can move that float a lot after half the tank is empty.

It's just not worth arguing with the dealer over as they might make it work for a few tanks, then it will go back to its old ways.

Dont put tape on it, just know your MPG.

The sooner you forget about it, the sooner you will enjoy riding your bike again without getting frustrated.

 

02 fatboy works properly

 

I have an 03 flstci, original guage was working when i took it out and replaced it with the kuryakin led aircraft style. Has worked like a charm for over 3 years, has day /night lighting plus i get the benefit of having a voltmeter built in.
Woody

 

LOL! Of all the things the salesman told me when I bought my Softail in '02, only two of them were true. First was how much I owed them and second was that Softail fuel gauges were crap. I had it in the shop twice for that in the first year and it never worked right for more than two tanks.
I know it's stupid and it sucks, but you might as well get used to resetting your trip odometer at refills and know what mileage your getting. At 140 to 150 miles I start looking for a station, just to give myself a little leeway.. Doesn't take long to get used to it...

 

Turns out my float was sticking also, the repaired it under warranty

 

Mine works it is just incorrect. When it says empty it takes 2.5 gallons to fill.

 

Mine worked perfectly on my 01 Ultra and started out ok on my 06 but now says it is half full when actually has a 1/2 gallon.