Hey Guys, I just purchased my first bike (04 Harley Sportster 883 Custom). I've only been riding for about a month now. I had an issue the other day and want to see if this makes sense. I was riding for a few minutes and the bike started sputter and cut out. I was able to restart and go further and did it again. Did this a few time and finally got home. I could feel a little fuel in the tank. A few days later I filled the tank with 2 gallons I had at home. I drove around for a couple minutes with no issues and stopped at the gas station and filled anoter 1.8 gallons. Drove around for another 15 mins with no issues. Was I just out of fuel or am I looking at a different issue? It is the factory tank on the bike ( I think 4.5). The fuel light never turned on so I'm assuming my sensor doesn't work as well. Thoughts? Thanks for the help guys.

 

Sounds like you were running out of fuel... your tank will hold 4.5 gallons but one gallon is "reserve" and you don't tap into that unless you switch the petcock (left side, under the fuel tank. I think you were using the last bit of your "main" tank if you put in 3.8 gallons.


You won't have a low fuel light, best to use your trip odometer and reset it when you refuel. I usually start looking for a gas station when I hit 140 miles.

 

That's what I thought but after reading all the issues people have had I got nervous. Thank you for the response.

 

does it just cut off or does the whole bike shut down (electric and all) I know this sounds stupid but this happened to me a couple times over the weekend. Freaked me out because I was on the highway when it happened. Pulled the side cover off and noticed that the wire that connects to my battery was loose so I tightened it down and the bike worked fine.

 

I still had power to the bike. Just seemed like no fuel. Being a rookie, I totally forgot about the "reserve" and also expected a fuel light to go on.