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Regular or higher octane for Harley's

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by HellBoy, Jan 30, 2008.

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  1. HellBoy

    HellBoy New Member

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    Thanks Art, will do. I just got the manual a few days ago and it mentioned the odometer trip setting. Curious as to why a gas gauge wouldn't be accurate though, the gauge on all the Italian scooters I've ridden worked well enough.
    HellBoy, Mar 28, 2008
    #81
  3. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    the new electra glides have a fuel gauge and monitor, it will tell you how many miles you have left before your walking........:cool:
    chucktx, Mar 28, 2008
    #82
  4. Art_NJr

    Art_NJr New Member

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    Take the gas tank off your Sportster & you'll see why - the "tunnel" going down the middle so the tank fits around the top frame tube makes the gas go to one side of the tank & the other as the level goes down. On my bikes, the petcock is on the left side & there can still be some gas over on the right side when the engine's running out. But you'd have to lay the bike over on the left side for the gas to get over to the petcock.

    A gauge would only tell you what's left on one side of the tank & were you to lean way over in a corner, that would probably change - depending on the total amount of fuel you had in the tank. Just use the trip odometer & you won't get stranded. Or if you're strong enough, turn the bike upside down & shake it. :)
    Art_NJr, Mar 28, 2008
    #83
  5. wvak47

    wvak47 Active Member

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    Dang if I haven't wanted to do that to mine a time or two :roflmao: I have had my Sporty way stripped and never paid attention to the fact it doesn't have a crossover. You may have just saved my bacon from pushing more than I have to someday. Not that I don't try to stay on top of fuel, but I do put my head in it's holster from time to time. Like the time I forgot to turn it from RES to ON. Kinda disappointing to try to turn to your reserve and already be there. Lucky for me I was tuning on the porch when she died.
    wvak47, Mar 28, 2008
    #84
  6. AZroaddust

    AZroaddust New Member

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    10:04 to that. I do the same. At around 100 miles I hit reserve (1/2 gal. I believe). Consistant 49-50 MPG.

    Miles Travelled
    Gallons to fill =MPG
    AZroaddust, Mar 28, 2008
    #85
  7. HellBoy

    HellBoy New Member

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    Thanks Art, really interesting info. What is the logic behind having two sides to a gas tank? I'll start using the trip odometer on my next fill up.
    HellBoy, Mar 28, 2008
    #86
  8. Art_NJr

    Art_NJr New Member

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    The logic to the tank design is so it fits the bike - you wouldn't want the tank sitting up 4" higher in the front, would you? The tank fits over the top frame rail kinda like a saddle fits on a horse.
    Art_NJr, Mar 28, 2008
    #87
  9. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    the logic is to have plenty of gas to run on. most bikes have a crossover built into the tank. it is the line on the front lower tank that goes from one side to the other. when tanks dont have a crossover the mfg's made sure that the tunnel does not go all the way to the rear, this way the gas runs around the rear of the tank to get from one side to the other.....this happens every timeyou acelerate......if ya ever run out and took the tank off, you will be lucky to get 1/2 cup ( 4oz) of gas out of the tank. weather you have a cross over or not, you will get nearly all the gas out of the tank when on reserve.....as long as everything else is as designed...................:)
    chucktx, Mar 28, 2008
    #88
  10. HellBoy

    HellBoy New Member

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    I get it now, thanks Art, thanks Chuck. Still wish I had a little gas gauge though ;)
    HellBoy, Mar 28, 2008
    #89
  11. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    have fun, that is what it is all about!!!!!!!!!:)
    chucktx, Mar 28, 2008
    #90
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