So maybe this has been answered before, (I searched but didn't find anything), or maybe it is just a plain stupid question, but does anyone else have problems hitting the tank capacity correctly. If, according to the manual, the tank capacity is 3.7 gal, and reserve is .87 gallons, I shouldn't hit reserve until I have used 2.83 gallons. Well last week I rode for approx 90 miles and then had to switch to reserve. I then rode to 112 miles before I filled up, and then I only added 2.81 gallons. Now according to the math I still had basically .88 gallons left to use before I ran out of gas, which would have given me an extra 25-30 miles.
Now please feel free to correct me on anything I stated above. Is there something wrong with my fuel system, or is it normal to not be able to use the entire tank? I have a trip planned in a few weeks with my 2 brothers-in-law and they can both travel 150 miles before they need to fill up, and I basically can make 100-115 miles if I am conservative. What gives? Any thoughts, tips, or help would be greatly appreciated.
Ryan
Third gen? you might try pulling the petcock out and checking and clean the screen filter..
There is a portion of the capacity that's unusable, roughly between reserve and fill-up is about 2.5 gallons, you Can squeeze more in. Once I hit reserve to empty at 70MPH was 25 miles or about .65 of a gallon at 38 MPG.
Yes 3rd gen. 1994 with 20,000 miles. I have only had it for a few months and have added approx 2000 miles. Love the ride, and get on average between 35 and 45 mpg, but have to fill up more than the math says I should. Thanks for the suggestions so far.
So Terry are you saying that there is approx 3.4 gallons that is actually usable for you, and .3 that is "wasted"??
Actually, around 3.15, if I fill, wait fill, wait and get the tank full to the brim, I can get more in.
My 96 works out about the same ... I usually hit reserve somewhere in the 90's (usually low 90's) and I'll be damned if I can get 2.5 - 2.6 gallons in there (gas at the very bottom of the internal tank neck) if I hit a station within a few miles of switching.
My reserve hits at about 2.6 gal. Can't confirm how much of reserve is usable though, most I've put in though is 3.1 gal
There are a lot of things to take into account for miles per tank. I understand the math you are doing, but 90 to reserve is my concern. The only time I was getting 90 at reserve was on trips and we were on the highway going fairly fast.
Counting the teeth on the sprockets can give some insight also why you are getting only 90 to reserve. I don't remember stock numbers. I had a fairly stock setup and was getting 100 (normal) to 115 (not very often) miles to reserve. So I always felt I could get to a gas station on empty at 130 miles unless going fairly fast then dropping down to 115 miles to empty.
Ok.. I can't explain all this but here is my experience over the past 6 years..
When I 1st got the bike (stock except it had a 43 rear sprocket), I would hit reserve at about 95-97 miles.
I put in a K&N and it didn't seem to change much, I ran 40-42 MPG consistently unless I was running 80+ long distance.
I Not necessarily in ORDER, but I Put in a 40 rear sprocket, then later drilled a 3/8" hole in each exhaust end and I was getting a pretty consistent 47-51 MPG..
I drilled a 2nd 3/8" hole and upped my main jets to 105's.. I now get a around 42 - 44 MPG (although with the bigger jets, It's even harder to stay out of the throttle!!!
I did make one modification that I like a lot!!!
I drilled a hole in the neck of the gas tank.. I got very tired of eek-ing in the gas a little at a time waiting for the vent to vent the air out so I could add a little more.. (See attached picture)...
By doing this, I fill my tank right up. The hole allows the air behind the neck to come right out and the gas to flow right in behind the neck. I get the tank consistently fuller and at 43 MPG I run out to about 118 miles before reserve just because I start with MORE gas.. To reserve is about 2.7 - 2.8 gallons now where 2.5 to 2.6 before the drilling of the whole..
CAUTION!!! - IF you do the drilling, You must insure the tank is completely dry and free of fumes, otherwise a spark could set off a bad situation!!
Here is a picture of my drilled Gas Neck.. There is some metal venting pieces, so I had to drill the hole slightly off to the right side, which works well..
[attachment deleted by admin]
I was more referring to real tank capacity verses MPG, MPG will vary depending on driving style, tank volume will always be the same.
Quote from: Magnum Magna on August 12, 2010, 05:37:46 PM
There are a lot of things to take into account for miles per tank. I understand the math you are doing, but 90 to reserve is my concern. The only time I was getting 90 at reserve was on trips and we were on the highway going fairly fast.
Counting the teeth on the sprockets can give some insight also why you are getting only 90 to reserve. I don't remember stock numbers. I had a fairly stock setup and was getting 100 (normal) to 115 (not very often) miles to reserve. So I always felt I could get to a gas station on empty at 130 miles unless going fairly fast then dropping down to 115 miles to empty.
You have to understand,
fairly fast to Robert is 60 mph. :P
I didn't see a can of seafoam in either one of those pictures of your gas tank Hoot so give yourself a ticket.
Ryan - good to hear from you again. I usually put 2.7 gallons in my tank as soon as the reserve turns on for me. 90 miles on one tank is fairly low, although riding style has a lot to do with what your outcome is. Just for sharts and giggles take it nice and easy for a tank and see if anything improves or changes (if you do this already then forget what I just wrote). Not sure if you remember my trip a few months ago but I averaged 50 MPG. Longest I went was 120 miles and my reserve never was touched. Since you have the bike that will get the least mileage from a tank make sure and plan around you for gas stops. Usually 100 miles or so on a bike is a good chance to stop anyways and stretch.
Here are a few ideas I can think of that may help:
*Check the air pressure in your tires - that can make a big difference.
*Check the condition of your air filter
*Make sure your chain is adjusted accordingly
I am sure there are other things, that is all I can think of right now.
Thanks so much for the thoughts and advise. I think that I probably drive more aggressively just because a lot of my trips are short one, ie less than 7 miles. I have several times made it over 100 miles before hitting reserve, but that is the rare occasion, not the norm. I know the air filter is getting old and needs to be changed, but was kind of waiting so I can get the K&N plus rejet kit. We will see what happens. Thanks again and I will keep everyone posted.
Quote from: Jerry G Turner on August 12, 2010, 07:22:32 PM
I didn't see a can of seafoam in either one of those pictures of your gas tank Hoot so give yourself a ticket.
Nice catch Jerry.. I thought that since it was a picture of a gas tank, it would be assumed that there would be SeaFoam IN the tank.. But of course since I drilled a hole in the tank, you figured out that the tank MUST be empty!!!
Good logical deduction powers Jerry!!!
Consider myself cited..
Quote from: hootmon on August 12, 2010, 09:05:03 PM
Quote from: Jerry G Turner on August 12, 2010, 07:22:32 PM
I didn't see a can of seafoam in either one of those pictures of your gas tank Hoot so give yourself a ticket.
Nice catch Jerry.. I thought that since it was a picture of a gas tank, it would be assumed that there would be SeaFoam IN the tank.. But of course since I drilled a hole in the tank, you figured out that the tank MUST be empty!!!
Good logical deduction powers Jerry!!!
Consider myself cited..
I just assumed the seafoam was IN the tank.
Quote from: TLRam1 on August 12, 2010, 07:11:34 PM
You have to understand, fairly fast to Robert is 60 mph. :P
Very funny. That would be doing the speed limit.
By the way you are right, to Robert 60 mph is fast for take a curve with a 45 mph speed limit. In which I do not do or recommend.
By the way you are right, to Robert 60 mph is fast for take a curve with a 45 mph speed limit. In which I do not do or recommend.
plus 1 I agree with Robert :shock:
[/quote]
The fill, wiggle, fill, wiggle, and continue a few times will always allow ya to get in a bit more to extend your mileage to reserve, or at least in my experiences this is true.
"MOST" hit reserve in the mid 90's to low 100. Remember one should run an average of several tanks before really trying to realize true MPG as this will help with trip irregularities. Next I would run Seafoam at a coule oz's per tank full, then change out filter, shim the carb needles, etc etc, this creates a lot of work hehehe but fun. This way you will see where the improvements come through.
Also keep in mind that there is fuel that will stay in the right side lower half of the tank. Only reacheable by tipping bike on its side, which I do not recommend for obvious reasons :lol:.
Quote from: Magnum Magna on August 13, 2010, 02:38:14 PM
Quote from: TLRam1 on August 12, 2010, 07:11:34 PM
You have to understand, fairly fast to Robert is 60 mph. :P
Very funny. That would be doing the speed limit.
By the way you are right, to Robert 60 mph is fast for take a curve with a 45 mph speed limit. In which I do not do or recommend.
Robert, Robert, Robert............
Curve speed signs are meant to be DOUBLED!! :cool: (except for the ones on Ranch Road 337 that say 10mph........those DO mean 10mph!!!) :shock:
Curtis
I just find it somewhat sad one can never truly use the full capacity of a tank. If its capacity is 3.7 gal, and no one can get use of more than 3.1 shouldn't the capacity be listed as 3.1??? Makes your range limited when you have to count out more than half a gallon in your trip planning. Just saying......
Plan route with a lot of hard left hand turns towards the 90 mile mark :lol:.
Seriously it is one of the downsides to a Magna, however reaching the end of that 3.1 gallons of useable fuel is a lot of FUN!
Today i logged 124 miles. The reserve was kicked on at 114 miles...took city street, highways, and byways. So I don't think that is bad at all on a tank. Anywho I went 10 miles from the point the reserve was clicked over. I was able to put 2.8 gallons in my tank.
RyanG your original post said 3.7 Gallons total but I believe it is 3.6 Gallons and the most I ever remember putting in a tank was 3.4 Gallons. I would see how far I could go before running out of gas. I did carry a little gas to get me to a station if I actually did run out of gas.
Quote from: Magnum Magna on August 15, 2010, 09:18:51 PM
RyanG your original post said 3.7 Gallons total but I believe it is 3.6 Gallons and the most I ever remember putting in a tank was 3.4 Gallons. I would see how far I could go before running out of gas. I did carry a little gas to get me to a station if I actually did run out of gas.
I will have to do that. What did you carry your extra gas in? There is no way I can afford one of those extra travel tanks. Any suggestions? If I can find something I can carry a little extra in I will push it this week and see how far I can go. I pulled the 3.7 off the service manual that many have posted. I don't have an actual owners manual (anyone know where I can get one, 1994) so I just copied what was written in the service manual. Thanks for the ideas everyone!
They sale a container that is approved to carry a fuel for an emergence backup. Curtis and Terry has one they carry. I would not recommend what I carried my extra gas in and would not even want to say or admit what I carried it in. :lol:
Quote from: Magnum Magna on August 15, 2010, 10:08:06 PM
They sale a container that is approved to carry a fuel for an emergence backup. Curtis and Terry has one they carry. I would not recommend what I carried my extra gas in and would not even want to say or admit what I carried it in. :lol:
Wow I was worried that you would be vague when I asked you that question. Glad you were very specific! :-D Anyone else want to spit some ideas out?
Quote from: RyanG on August 15, 2010, 11:10:04 PM
Wow I was worried that you would be vague when I asked you that question. Glad you were very specific! :-D Anyone else want to spit some ideas out?
They are called MSR bottles and are made for carrying extra fuel for liquid fuel ultra-light backpacking cookstoves. They are available on the web or at most outdoors/sporting goods places like Academy. The largest holds around 30 oz with required air space for expansion. The top is threaded with an o-ring seal and I guarantee you could throw one in your suitcase with your clothes and they would not smell like gas as long as you leave the air space. After mine got older I noticed some odor, so I stopped (while in Colorado, no less) and bought some more o-rings and an extra cap (I carry four bottles). No more odor.
The funniest comment I get is from folks that say "it's awfully small, I'd want more fuel". After I answer that each bottle is ten miles I don't have to walk, I can see the wheels turning and then they smile. They usually "get it" after that. Of course I carry multiple bottles, usually four unless I'm on the SuperValk with only a tank bag and then two is no problem to tuck in there. Even small saddlebags would allow for one on each side for 20 miles of extra reserve and a balanced load.
Curtis
You know me..
I have no shame!!!
One time, during one of the gas crisis's, my friend and I rode up to Georgia and back.. I put my two gallon red plastic Lawn mower gas can on the rack and bungee'ed it down (I probably wouldn't just leave this in a Walmart parking lot though)..
It was Probably an OK idea until I get rear ended by a big truck.. Well.. The truth is.. IF I get rear ended by a big truck, I'm probably not going to turn out as well as DavidJRoberts in his bump and grind anywayz!!
When I had my Magna, I ran just shy of 160 miles on 1 tank before I ran out of gas.
My fuel light used to come on at 100 miles.
The 2 miles to the gas station was SWEATACULAR!
It was uphill might I add. Good thing I workout and keep in good shape...I was pouring sweat like it was raining :).
I can count on mine going on reserve by 125 miles. Usually it has been 110-115 miles. I always carry extra gas on any out of town ride (which is most). I use a 2.0L plastic clear Pepsi bottle with the screw-on cap. I started to use them many years ago and seriously have never had one dissolve, leak or pop. The cool thing is you can buy one anywhere and consume the contents, wash it out with a little gas and use it, even if you are way out in the sticks and worried about the next gas stop.
Quote from: whisperer on September 23, 2010, 12:51:35 PM
I can count on mine going on reserve by 125 miles. Usually it has been 110-115 miles. I always carry extra gas on any out of town ride (which is most). I use a 2.0L plastic clear Pepsi bottle with the screw-on cap. I started to use them many years ago and seriously have never had one dissolve, leak or pop. The cool thing is you can buy one anywhere and consume the contents, wash it out with a little gas and use it, even if you are way out in the sticks and worried about the next gas stop.
You're lucky, I wouldn't be.
Quote from: TLRam1 on September 23, 2010, 05:31:38 PM
You're lucky, I wouldn't be.
Pop bottles are made from high-density polyethylene (polyethylene terephthalate or HDPE), the same stuff gas cans are made from. They will easily take 50 PSI before bursting. I'm thinking i'd much rather ride around with one of these in my pannier then a wimpy little red gas can which for me, always seem to leak.
Camping stores sell small camping fuel containers that work well.
Whatever you use, if it is a sealed container be SURE to leave enough air space for expansion of the liquid when it heats up. Hydraulic forces are inexorable.
Curtis
Quote from: Curtis_Valk on September 24, 2010, 09:19:07 AM
Whatever you use, if it is a sealed container be SURE to leave enough air space for expansion of the liquid when it heats up. Hydraulic forces are inexorable.
Curtis
Can you say
BOOM
Well, when you ride as fast as Curtis does, it doesn't matter much -- the flame front can never catch up to you anyhow...
I sooo agree with Lawrence!! The shockwave from a nuclear explosion would have to struggle to keep up.. :lol: