Hello,

Today I drained and ran the gas out of my 2005 sportster 883. I noticed that a low fuel light never came on. Is there one on this bike? I have since refilled it with gas.

Even when I run the diagnostic and all the dash lights come on, there is nothing lit for fuel.

Do I have a bulb out, or is there just no light at all?

 

No, your 05 has a carb so you have a reserve on your petcock, only the EFI bikes have the light but don't worry most of the lights don't work properly anyway and us EFI guys have to remember to reset the trip odometer every fill up to avoid running out, your better off without it anyway.

 

I know of one way to find out for sure!!!

 

Ok. But how will I know to turn the petcock to reserve before I run out?

 

You will feel it sputter. Reaction time is critical

 

Alright, thanks. I would have thought there was a better system than that! Thanks again

 

It will take you by surprise the first time it happens. After that you'll be using your trip mileage like the rest of us.

 

The old system is better IMHO, just make sure if you do go into reserve to switch the petcock back to normal after you fill up, I forgot once on my old bike and reached down to switch to reserve when she started bucking only to discover I was already running on reserve and was completly out of gas.
I only had to learn that lesson once, that bike was only 500 Lbs but what a bi*ch to push 8 blocks by myself!

 

About how far can I get on reserve? Is it pretty much when I switch to reserve I have to stop at the next gas station?

I would probably do that anyways to be safe, but just curious

 

Depends on what size tank you have but figure 30 miles tops.
Next time you fill up reset your trip odometer then ride till you have to go into reserve and see what your at for mileage, once you know that just reset the trip odometer at each fill up and you'll have an idea when your getting close, it's always best not to rely on the reserve just use it in emergencies.