Post by: JPaganel on May 23, 2019, 09:08:55 PM
So I started resetting the trip odometer at fillups. I was kinda thinking that I had about 200 miles in the tank. Ran out at 145, about 200 feet from work. Never mind, I figured. Maybe the mileage isn't what I think.
Today I ran out at 125.
Either the fuel mileage on this thing is total crap, or the odometer isn't particularly reliable. I could, of course, fill up every other day, but this seems inconvenient.
So, what's the wisdom on fuel floats and odometers?
Post by: Laitch on May 23, 2019, 09:31:27 PM
You can try inspecting and cleaning the fuel sender according to rbm's fuel sender tutorial (http://www.k100-forum.com/t9265-messing-with-the-in-tank-fuel-sender).
Post by: billday on May 23, 2019, 11:11:24 PM
My fuel warning light has never been reliable. I refill when the trip odo hits 150.
Post by: Billk on May 24, 2019, 10:14:32 AM
Post by: natalena on May 24, 2019, 11:28:53 AM
Lived in AK, CA and overseas, where you always kept the fuel topped off in case of emergencies or shortages. Taught my daughter that, and she was the only person at her workplace that had a full tank of gas for evacuation during the Santa Rosa wildfire.
On topic; my trip/odometer has never been accurate (tire changes, etc.), and neither has the fuel gauge. They're only good for guesstimates.
Post by: stokester on May 24, 2019, 03:41:20 PM
This is how I handle the K75, the fuel light is just an indicator that comes on about 130 miles. I still rely on the trip meter on my '94 and a bike computer on my '93 (trip meter does not work) to gauge the number of miles I have until a fuel stop. Yup, about 150 miles is a comfortable fuel stop but that fuel lamp is a good reminder that a fuel stop is required soon.
Post by: daveson on May 24, 2019, 07:34:03 PM
Post by: Filmcamera on May 24, 2019, 09:11:48 PM
Post by: Scott on May 25, 2019, 09:29:59 AM
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on May 25, 2019, 01:04:06 PM
The K75's get a consistent 45-48 MPG when commuting and about 38-40 mpg when being flogged on the slab at 85-90 mph. The K75's have the low fuel when there is about 1.5 gallons left in the tank. Again, they light up around 185-190 miles pretty consistently.
I have removed the flapper from all the tanks and fill to the bottom of the filler every time and always make a mental note of the amount of fuel I put in the tank as well as the tripmeter reading. When I get a new bike I'll drain the tank and add fuel a little at a time until I get the engine to run. Then I fill the tank to the filler ring and note how much fuel I put in. That tells me the useful capacity of the tank. On my bikes, that is just a bit more than 5.1 gallons. When traveling I watch the tripmeter, and calculate how much fuel I will need when I stop for gas and how much further I can go. About 210 miles is the farthest I'll willingly go on a full tank.
Being a reformed enduro rider, I'm constantly calculating something in my head. As Laitch mentioned, I check the odometer and tripmeter against mileposts, I calculate arrival times and distances, fuel use, fuel expenses, and on and on. Riding around town and commuting, I always calculate fuel mileage when I fill up. Most of my commuting is pretty routine, so I can predict and plan fuel stops.
Post by: Laitch on May 25, 2019, 01:27:18 PM
There are plenty carburetted motos stumbling along out there with clogged jets, varnished passages, perforated floats resting on silt and leaking petcocks.
There's no romance of the open road in that for me. :giggles :beatdeadhorse:
Post by: Martin on May 25, 2019, 04:13:09 PM
Regards Martin.
Post by: Chaos on May 25, 2019, 05:49:05 PM
There are plenty carburetted motos stumbling along out there with clogged jets, varnished passages, perforated floats resting on silt and leaking petcocks.
I think the biggest advantage (maybe the only) to having a carbed bike is the reserve feature on the petcock. The only way it usually fails is if you forget to turn it back to normal after filling up. Too bad FI bikes don't need a petcock!
Post by: JPaganel on May 25, 2019, 05:52:17 PM
Speedo cable, maybe? Is there a cable, even? I haven't looked yet.
Post by: Martin on May 25, 2019, 06:15:17 PM
Regards Martin.
Speedo sensor.jpg (4.75 kB . 219x219 - viewed 472 times)
Post by: Soggz on May 28, 2019, 05:45:21 PM
There is a small black pickup sensor on the final drive, it requires periodic cleaning. If you trace the wires back from the sensor you will encounter a electrical plug which can benefit with a clean.I concur. Mine didn’t work until I cleaned both ends.
Regards Martin.
Post by: subforry on May 29, 2019, 02:03:14 PM
Post by: billday on May 29, 2019, 03:33:16 PM
I read it’s not a good idea to run the gas pump in the tank low. It should always be submerged in gas.
Correct. The K bike fuel pump is both cooled and lubricated by the gasoline it's immersed in. Very bad idea to let it run dry, or even close to dry.
Post by: stokester on May 29, 2019, 04:28:50 PM
Correct. The K bike fuel pump is both cooled and lubricated by the gasoline it's immersed in. Very bad idea to let it run dry, or even close to dry.Good advice for all in-tank fuel pumps.
Post by: JPaganel on May 30, 2019, 10:59:59 AM
There is a small black pickup sensor on the final drive, it requires periodic cleaning. If you trace the wires back from the sensor you will encounter a electrical plug which can benefit with a clean.
Regards Martin.
I pulled the sensor, had some crud on it.
When I went to the other end, I found the the wires had insulation peeled in a couple of spots. Put some heatshrink on it, cleaned out the connector, seems to be good so far.
Post by: JPaganel on May 30, 2019, 09:25:12 PM
Post by: daveson on May 30, 2019, 09:36:08 PM
Post by: JPaganel on June 03, 2019, 06:00:27 PM
Went to see a friend and parked in a semi-enclosed area. Smelled gas.
Turns out the bottom clamp on the tank to rail hose loosened and was pissing gas all over my left shoe...