I don't trust the low fuel light on my 900ss ie. So, knowing that the bike does about 40-50mpg and what the tank capacity is, I use the tripmeter and refill before it hits 120 miles. I'd like to use the tripmeter for its stated purpose but I don't want to run out of fuel - which, obviously, will be fine if the low fuel light does wht it's supposed to. The filament does work, btw. So, how can I check this? Sorry for being lazy and not thinking this through myself, but I know that theres a wealth of knowledge out there and how some of you are expert about the systems on these bikes! Thanks in anticipation Nick
Easy keep riding till it comes on. If you are worried about running out of fuel then buy a 1 litre camping fuel bottle from an outdoor shop, fill it with petrol, and carry that with you.
Or 2Litre one from nippy-normans or touratech for about £16. Fill stick in bag & ride till you run outta fuel!
Fill your tank and zero the trip meter. Fill up next time asap after the light has come on. Make note of how much fuel it takes to fill the tank. Also note your trip meter mileage, then zero it again for the next tank full. Repeat this a few times so you find out that the light is consistently coming on at the same level of fuel. The refill amount and the trip meter mileage should be similar each time. Divide the fuel used by the miles ridden to get mpg. Then deduct the refill amount from the max capacity and you will know how much remains each time the light comes on. Divide the remaining fuel by your usual mpg to get an indication of how many miles riding you have once the light has come on.
Empty the tank into a suitable container. There's a drain screw on the bottom at the back near the hinge.
OK - thanks for all this... I'd really hoped for an answer that neither required me to spend money on a fuel bottle or container or to empty the tank (but thanks - I didn't know that there's a drain screw!). Does anyone know how the low fuel light works? What is the sensor, and how can I verify that it's working? Thanks again, Nick
rule of thumb. you should be able to test the electrical circuit and illuminate the light just by bridging two wires on the tank units electrical connector, cant tell you which, if the same plug has the pump wiring it wont be the thicker wires. but that doesn't determine if the tank unit is working. the only other way without following the other suggestions is to remove the tank unit and work float manually. i would take their advise if it where me.
could get a cheap syphon pump and empty the tank easier than drain plug for the majority of fuel fuel level sensor just unscrews from bottom of tank although the plastic nut has a tendancy to break because they are well crap any sediment around the sensor etc could cause it to stick a little when out the it should look like this
OK! Thanks, everyone. I get it - if the sender is duff, I'll end up having to empty the tank anyway, so I might as well bite the bullet and syphon the tank empty. that way, I can check that/when it tells me that the fuel's low and replace it if I need to. Thanks very much johnboy for the picture (and the fragile plastic alert).
I'll guarantee that even if it works now, it won't be long before it doesn't (albeit the newer versions may be more reliable) as it only takes a tiny bit of rust for it to stop working. It's a lot easier to use the trip meter and fill up every hundred miles.
Oh, joy... So we come round full circle. I sort of like the way it was on my very first bike, back in '77 (bought for only £350 new) where the reserve was a third position of the fuel tap that gave access to the last few pints (all imperial back then and fuel price less than £1 a gallon...). The engine would die and I'd just reach down and turn the fuel tap to re-start it on the move. All very simple. (but really, the tripmeter 'fuel gauge is straightforward as well...)
they aint cheap little buggers either stein dinse show them at 140 euro did buy one a couple of years ago from itlia moto in Lincoln to be honest I cannot remember what I paid !
Use a match to look inside to see how much ......no sorry I can't do this in case some Muppet actually tries to look in......BOOM.
Bring back reserve taps, kick starters and centre stands whilst your at it. All of those were much more use than lights that come on when your leaned over, dataloggers, slipper clutches and launch control! Ok, call me a luddite, rant over now, I'll get my coat . . .
Those reserve taps are a double edged sword. Great if youve set it properly. Terrible if you forgot to turn it back when you refuelled and you end up running out. Ive done this so many times, I for one am glad they did away with the heinous items.
