On a massive learnign curve - latest = fuel reserve!

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Hi all,

Continuing my learning curve.......

Been riding my Bandit now for a few days and decided that I would test how far the tank got me (for some reason I don't like trusting the fuel guage - should I?)   

This morning at about 180miles it started to splutter on the M4.     Pulled over and switched to reserve.  I felt rather good in myself until the bloody thing would not start!  After thinking about calling the AA, my misses, work mates, the dog and the cat it started - but this was after 3-5 mins.

Do you usually have to wait?  is it something to do with the way the petrol is fed through?

Sorry for asking bread and butter questions but since I know absolutely jack about engines etc........

Cheers,

Dylan

[UK Bike Forum Member]

I find personally (happened a few days ago) i was going along and the spluttering started, I leaned down and switched it to reserve and it pretty much immediately just went again straight away, no pulling over (it is safer to pull over ofc) but no , on any Bike I have had, it has been instant.

[UK Bike Forum Member]

If it happens again just wait a minute before trying to fire it up again. The fuel should flow down by then. You may also have simply sucked through some silt etc. from the bottom of the tank. If you can switch it over without stopping then you shouldn't have the problem, but don't try it if you don't feel comfortable fumbling about trying to find the tap while moving.

Andy.

[UK Bike Forum Member]

better still dont run out  did it once never had a reserve take

[UK Bike Forum Member]

the main thing is is to remember to put it back off reserve, very embarrassing when you run out next time lol

oh and when you go to an injected bike check the fuel light works or keep a close eye on the mileage

[UK Bike Forum Member]

better still dont run out  did it once never had a reserve take

I ran out and had a reserve, pushed the thing about half a mile before I remembered!! I felt a right tit!



In my defence though, it was only the 2nd time I'd been out on it and the bike I'd had before had a fuel light!!

[UK Bike Forum Member]

some bikes have a vacuum operated fuel tap so if the engine is not running no fuel is delivered to the carbs , others have an electrically operated fuel pump which may take a few moments to fill the fuel lines and carbs/ injector , gravity fed like the cg 125 sr125 will fill up quite quickly. at least you know when to fill it up now though

[UK Bike Forum Member]

thanks peeps, good info here

at least I get this embarrassing stuff out the way when I'm on my own ;-))))