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ran out of gas!

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by joshbob, May 5, 2014.

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  1. joshbob

    joshbob Well-Known Member

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    Yup, it had to happen sooner or later LOL. We were just discussing gas gauges on another thread the other day and I actually laughed when the ol' scoot came to a stop. Naturally, I was miles from anywhere and it was early Sunday morning, and I had to push the beast about 3 miles (which was no laughing matter, boys) before I passed some houses and a guy was out in his yard and asked me what was wrong. I told him and he got me some lawn mower (regular) gas and I poured maybe a half gallon in. He wouldn't take any money. I stayed for awhile and we talked about bikes. He knew about jockey shifts and suicide clutches but had never seen an open primary before. Turns out he rode a full dresser in the old days with a black biker club. Pretty cool stuff, I thought.
    And no, I'm not installing a gas gauge on my scooter! It was already running on reserve and I miscalculated how far I had ridden. Won't happen again o_O - I hope.
    joshbob, May 5, 2014
    #1
  3. Lucifer

    Lucifer Well-Known Member

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    Got to meet an interesting person out of the mishap anyway:cool:...Is there a trip meter on your speedo?? That's what I use on the cop bike with a gas gauge and no reserve...I thought it was kinda funny Harley recalling because of a gas gauge...they were never accurate:hilarious:...With the softail I use the trip meter also,but as soon as I have to flip it on reserve,I head straight to a gas station....
    Lucifer, May 5, 2014
    #2
  4. marc 55

    marc 55 Well-Known Member

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    I always use the trip meter...Gas gauge is not that reliable...Registers full until you hit 75 miles and then starts to drop....
    marc 55, May 5, 2014
    #3
  5. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    I also use the trip meter and always have. On my Softail bike the gas gauge is just an estimate but the trip meter for how many miles I've gone tells it all.

    Josh you probably don't even want to hear about all the new fangled gadgetry on the new Harley. :) it will even tell you how many miles until R. :D

    Sounds like you had a interesting conversation with a guy you probably would might have never given the time of day to.
    FLHTbiker, May 5, 2014
    #4
  6. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    never pass a gas station,
    don't trust a fart...
    hotroadking, May 5, 2014
    #5
  7. Roadster guy

    Roadster guy Well-Known Member

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    Sounds like it all worked out OK in the end. Lucky your bike is lighter than most, likely didn't feel too light by mile 2 though...
    Roadster guy, May 5, 2014
    #6
  8. badinfluence63

    badinfluence63 Well-Known Member

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    You need cruise,XM radio and CB/weather channel.:)
    badinfluence63, May 5, 2014
    #7
  9. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    You probably don't even have a trip meter for the mileage, so it makes it harder. I would sure check the mileage every time I filled up to give me an idea. Pushing sucks.
    FLHTbiker, May 5, 2014
    #8
  10. JohnnyBiker

    JohnnyBiker Well-Known Member

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    Maybe you should invest in a little bit of technology. Like a cell phone.

    Oh, my gas gauge is spot on.:cool:

    Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
    JohnnyBiker, May 6, 2014
    #9
  11. joshbob

    joshbob Well-Known Member

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    I carry a cell phone with me. Didn't call for gas because it would have been at least an hour wait. And being early Sunday morning it might have been longer. Now if I would have been, say, in the middle of the desert, I would have called.

    I don't have a trip meter, so when I gas up, I usually try to estimate at what milage I will need to start looking for a gas station. Sometimes I forget, so I look inside the tank from time to time. When I looked this last time, I thought I could make it 10 miles to a gas station :rolleyes:.

    Of course, I threw my lower back out pushing the ol' thang, so I won't be riding for awhile.
    joshbob, May 6, 2014
    #10
  12. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    maybe you should fashion a speedo to the bike, something
    cool like a mount off the side of the engine so it's off the bars,
    an old analog will do fine.

    JP has a mini speedometer

    http://www.jpcycles.com/product/5600018
    hotroadking, May 6, 2014
    #11
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  13. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    You mentioned you have a reserve, that should be you first clue which means get gas now. :)
    FLHTbiker, May 6, 2014
    #12
  14. hogcowboy

    hogcowboy Active Member

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    That's the very one I put on my DRZ 400. Ha! After I ran out of gas!!!!!
    hogcowboy, May 6, 2014
    #13
  15. joshbob

    joshbob Well-Known Member

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    Already have one attached to the motor mount off the rear cylinder. Had Barnett make a special short speedo cable that goes into the tranny. Looks and works great.
    joshbob, May 7, 2014
    #14
  16. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    does it have an odometer? or trip meter?
    hotroadking, May 7, 2014
    #15
  17. joshbob

    joshbob Well-Known Member

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    Odometer but no trip meter.
    joshbob, May 9, 2014
    #16
  18. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    sounds almost like the movie wild hogs a few years back except you ment a good guy , How many gallions does your tank hold ?
    cowboy, May 9, 2014
    #17
  19. badinfluence63

    badinfluence63 Well-Known Member

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    They play that movies non stop on some channel or another.
    badinfluence63, May 9, 2014
    #18
  20. joshbob

    joshbob Well-Known Member

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    2.4 gallons. Like the Sporster tank on my old '72.
    joshbob, May 10, 2014
    #19
  21. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    wow I would be looking for some split 4-5 gal tanks , or a custom 4-5 gal tank , even when I had my 68 sporty 900 I changed to a custom 4.5 gal tank I got tired of running out of gas
    cowboy, May 12, 2014
    #20
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