Exact Capacity of 4.5 gal. Tank...???

[Tater]

Since my low fuel light does not work properly, and I ride the boonies mostly I use my milage as a gas guage... I usually fill up near 150 mi. and it usually takes +/- 3.5 gal. ... I fill to the flat sheet metal ring in the neck & on the jiffy stand, is that what is considered a full tank...???
I was just wondering if the 4.5 gal. was on the money or like most other stuff is just sorta close to the actual capacity, and if my fill ups are propper for a full tank, as some times it gets scarey before a gas station is located...???
Any info would be appreciated...
Thanks, and have a good one...Tater...

[Baphomet]

I believe the 4.5 gallons is what it would hold without a fuel pump inside the tank. I'm sure the pump takes up some of that volume, but I don't know how much of it. I guess one could fill the tank and then drain it in a container and get a precise measurement how much comes out. But you fill yours just like I do ... to the rim. I guess that's as full as it can get.

[gusotto]

You should be happy that the same (or close) amount goes in the tank.
Run with that fact.
Many use the trip odometer and fill at designated miles gone.

I fill every 100. I know 120 area and expect the engine to sputter and need the reserve switch to be thrown.
100 miles is a good time to get off the bike and stretch my legs.

You don't want to be running the tank near empty.
The gas in the tank is the coolant for the fuel pump.
It's hard on the pump without coolant.

[ParrotHead]

I take around the same amount at 150 miles. Most I have put in my 06 is 4.2 gallons. I almost always stop around 150 and normally take 3.5 - 3.8 gallons. However when I took 4.2 I had only traveled around 160. I had a very stiff headwind that day, so be aware of any high winds and plan accordingly.

[aklim]

Originally Posted by gusotto

You don't want to be running the tank near empty.
The gas in the tank is the coolant for the fuel pump.
It's hard on the pump without coolant.

I've heard that one many times but no one has really substantiated it. I don't think it generates that much heat that it could burn the fuel. I sure wouldn't want a heating iron in the fuel, would you? Also, as to the coolant part, the fuel running thru it probably does the job and if you run out of fuel, the pump stops since the motor quits so not sure where the problem is.

[PiousDevil]

Just curious, op, are you running the bike with the petcock "on" then switching to reserve when you sputter out? I use my odometer to time fill ups as well, but that reserve is always there waiting for me.

[04xl1200c]

Originally Posted by aklim

I've heard that one many times but no one has really substantiated it. I don't think it generates that much heat that it could burn the fuel. I sure wouldn't want a heating iron in the fuel, would you? Also, as to the coolant part, the fuel running thru it probably does the job and if you run out of fuel, the pump stops since the motor quits so not sure where the problem is.

As a mechanic I can assure you that the fuel does Infact cool the fuel pump and the fuel pump is a Delphi unit its a pos all gm's come with the same pump and they fail often for the same reason... People run the tanks down to "e" a lot! So with that being said... I wouldn't push much beyond 150 if you putting 3.5 in that 1 gal left should be enough to cool the pump!

"pious devil" the bikes they are referring to don't have petcocks they are "efi" they only have a low fuel light like your car.

[rubyred]

Before my lift and SE air filter, I once ran it to 164 and had not turned it to reserve...but usually I'd fill up at 155.

[aklim]

Originally Posted by 04xl1200c

As a mechanic I can assure you that the fuel does Infact cool the fuel pump and the fuel pump is a Delphi unit its a pos all gm's come with the same pump and they fail often for the same reason... People run the tanks down to "e" a lot! So with that being said... I wouldn't push much beyond 150 if you putting 3.5 in that 1 gal left should be enough to cool the pump!

"pious devil" the bikes they are referring to don't have petcocks they are "efi" they only have a low fuel light like your car.

I never had a car that ran above a quarter tank before filling. Unless I had to, every time I ran it, they would be at the "E" mark and then some before I filled. So doesn't the fuel running thru it cool it? If what you are saying is true, I should be changing pumps every couple of months. I would think the fuel running thru it constantly would be way more cooling than just the fuel sloshing around especially if there is a fuel tank baffle.

[PiousDevil]

Originally Posted by 04xl1200c

"pious devil" the bikes they are referring to don't have petcocks they are "efi" they only have a low fuel light like your car.

All this new fangled technology, how can an old man keep up?