The XJ swan song

OK guys tell me if yalls bikes do this too. When running out of gas, just as that very last drop is consumed, on most bikes Ive owned the bike starts to sputter, and then slowly dies one cylinder at a time. However, on the 550 seca I was working on, and the 650 Maxim I am currently working on, both bikes rev up to about 4000 for 5-10 seconds, and then totally die out as they run out of gas.

Is that a YICS thing? I like to think of it as the XJ swan song

 

Mine 6fiddy don't do that. It spudders which gives me enough time to move to the reserve.

 

swapdip,

Ditto what trailsnail said with my 650. She sputters, rpms start slowly dropping, I pull off, go to reserve...back on. Don't know if it matters or not but I rebuilt both my petcock and tank cap with new seals (Len).

Gary

 

Ran out once on the road at about 40 mph, and it started losing power and sputtering. However, at idle it might rev a little as it leans out.

 

That must be it. Its weird, the seca did it while idling, never did run out on the road. But I ran out of gas on a test ride today on the maxim, it surged until I pulled into the driveway, where it died. A gallon of fresh gas in, and its back to running normally.

 

swapdip,

That was it. When I pull off to go to reserve she will die. Next time she runs out, switch to reserve and see if she'll fire...she should. When you switch to reserve she will pull the fuel left in the bottom of your tank. If she doesn't...switch to prime for about 30seconds to fill the bowls then go to reserve... she should fire. At your next fill up reset your "trip" on your speedo so you'll know how many miles you can ride to "run-out" so when you go to reserve you can make it to a gas station. It'll also let you know how many mpg you are getting. Hope this helps.

Gary

 

I don't take the time to pull over to switch to reserve I do it on the fly. After a couple times it will become automatic to be able to grab the lever without fumbling along the tank to find it.

Mine don't rev when they run out of gas just start to sputter and then die even at idle.

 

maverick,

So, We can go to reserve on the fly w/o her bogging down or anything? I'm going to have to try this. Thanks.

Gary

 

With the fuel TEE between 1 & 2 , when you run out, carb #4 goes dry first because 2 & 3 steal the last trickle of fuel. The bike should be able to hold highway speeds on 3 cylinders until you flip the lever.

 

ya what Time said. The first couple of times if you aren't used to the low fuel sputter and aren't used to hitting the lever without looking you may loose a bit of speed so practice hitting that lever a few times on some empty roads. Once you have it down you won't loose any speed even at 70 on the highway.

 

Will do. Thanks

Gary