Fuel Sending Unit Again

[White Dog]

Once again, I tore into my gas tank last night after unsuccessful attempts to adjust the geared wheel to delay the low fuel light from coming on early.
My last adjustment (in the tank) took the mies from 97 to 124, but I did not want to have that bright light staring at me for 50 miles or so.  I wound up removing the sender unit and held it under my magnifier light and discovered why I could no longer adjust the wheel blindly in the tank.  The teeth on the wheel were worn off!  In lieu of ordering a $200+ new unit, a piece of black tape will be applied to minimize the brightness of the light.  I've filled up enough to know I need to start looking for a station at the 140 mile mark on the odo, so I don't run dry.  Now that I burn 100% gas only, I have to plan my rides more carefully.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

As long as it works ok, why not give the wire that holds the float a bit of a bend???

[White Dog]

I might be open to that, but which way do I bend the rod which holds the float ball?  I obviously cannot get both hands into the tank opening, which means disconnecting the wires inside the tank and removing the tank again in order to access/reinstall the sender unit.  It's a PITA project.  The manual advises to replace the rubber "O" ring each time the sender is removed.  I have not done that the couple times I've had the tank off since replacing the "O" ring.  Not so sure this exercise is worth the effort, as a piece of black tape over the light solves the problem.  I rely on the odo reading.  The light is annoying.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Bend the arm so the float ball is lower.  It can be done with one hand reaching into the tank after the flapper has been removed.  Doesn't take much bending, do a little at a time.  I did it with one of my bikes. 

[White Dog]

Bending the arm will be next on my list--unless the light stays off to a higher mileage.  This last tank full, I gassed it to the bottom of the flapper valve and that is more gas than I usually put in it.  I read somewhere if the flapper is removed from the filler cap, more gas can be stored in the tank.  I might also try that.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

You want to pull that flapper out just so you can see what is going on in there.  Like visual confirmation of how much fuel is actually in the tank, or to see that the fuel pump is actually pumping fuel. 

Very handy...

[Nine80seven]

Got my early '85 RS, float removed, never had to worry. Just watch the odometer.

[White Dog]

Nine80sevenHow many miles can you go before refueling?

[The Mighty Gryphon]

WhiteDog, with the flapper removed and a full tank to the bottom of the filler, you should get about 180-190 miles to the low fuel light with your bike at 55-60mph speeds. 

As the speed goes up, the miles will go down.  I lose about 20-30 miles per tankful at 75-85 highway speeds to where I get the low fuel light at about 150-160 miles.

My K75's get a pretty consistent 45mpg around town and commuting.  When really burning miles on the slab with the RT that will drop as low as 38mpg. 

My tanks usually take about 4.5 gallons at 200 miles meaning I have about 3/4 gallon left or a fairly safe 15-20 miles of additional range.

As is frequently said, your mileage may vary, but I hope you get the idea.

[White Dog]

Thanks MG,
I've fooled with the fuel sender unit so many times I wore the teeth off the adjustment wheel so I have no idea when the idiot light will come on.  I'll have to run this tank down and check the odo.  I do plan to remove the flapper mechanism, possibly today.  (Replacing the fuel sender unit is not a financial option.)

[Nine80seven]

Reset the trip meter to zero, when 150 rolls by start looking for a lunch/gas/potty break.  If riding a 2.81 gear in fifth, shouldn't be a problem.  Don't really care what the mileage is.  Better than most cars anywho.


Besides, you gotta stop once in awhile to enjoy the ride.  My days of cracking off long distance and then finding someone who gives a rip listening are over.  "Just rolled in to NY from the west coast in X hours.........."


Also stopping more frequently allows the curious to wonder in amazement.  "That's a BMW?"