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Gas gauge bars

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by mrmekon, Jun 28, 2010.

  1. mrmekon

    mrmekon Member

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    I searched the forum and couldn't find anything about this. My bike has the digital gas gauge with 4 LCD bars to approximate the level. I haven't run it until I hit reserve yet, as the whole idea of finding and switching the petcock lever while riding still scares me a bit. I'm wondering what the gauge usually reads at the point where you have to switch to reserve? I know the digital gauge is just a rough estimate and I trust the odometer more, but I'm curious about what to expect.
     
  2. Metal_Bob

    Metal_Bob Active Member

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    My "bars" don't work atm either, but they did before I took the tank off. So I probably lossened or messed up a wire.

    Anywho... The first day of MSF safety class they told use to learn where the petcock lever is w/o looking at it. What new riders wants to LOOK at it doing 65 mph?

    Basically place your hand on the left side of the tank, slide your hand back until your find the petcock. They seem to be in pretty standard positions.

    I'm not very comfortable waving at other riders yet, and I also don't look forward to flipping my reserve going at speed. But every rider should know where it is W/O looking. :)
     
  3. mrmekon

    mrmekon Member

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    Heh, I have no problem taking my hand off the bars, I'm just not used to it since my last bike was fuel injected and didn't have a petcock. I've been practicing grabbing it while riding for the past week so I'll know where it is when the time comes. I often ride in severe rush-hour traffic in a major metropolis, hence the fear of running out of gas.

    I'm just wondering what my digital gauge is going to say at the time... does it go to zero bars and then you hit reserve, or is reserve when you have 1 bar left on the gauge? I have 105 miles on the odometer and the gauge is currently flickering between 2 and 3 bars. Haven't had it long enough to know my MPG, but I'm assuming I'll hit the reserve somewhere between 120 and 150 miles.
     
  4. Robert

    Robert Active Member

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    While tooling down Hwy.5 last November, I wondered why the bike started sounding funny just below Camp Pendelton. I had 1 bar showing and I hadn't gone but 100 miles (by my recollection). I pulled off the freeway and literally coasted into the gas station which happened to be right next to a Kragen's Auto Supply. After topping off with fuel, I popped over and bought 4 new NGK BP7ES spark plugs and a gapping tool. Got back on the freeway and didn't have another problem. Solution, know where your fuel petcock is located and how to use it. That gauge is merely a suggestion, I wouldn't trust it below the second bar (meaning tank up at first opportunity once you hit the first bar). Watch your odometer, you usually get about 100 or so miles on these things.
     
  5. 66Elco

    66Elco New Member

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    I havent had mine long either filled it up when I got it put about 95 miles on it when I rounded a corner and it started to spit and sputter looked a gauge and still had 1 bar left they are not as acurate as a car fuel gauge but close I intend on going off of mileage
     

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