Fuel Gauge?

[SteveW]

Hi
I've just replaced my K16v with an RR (03 dual spark). I'm very pleased with it but have a couple of questions for the old hands.

- there is a fluttery, tappety noise at 2500 that comes on at low throttle opening but then just goes away after 10 secs or so (at same throttle/load). It doesnt sound too unpleasant and I'm not too worried - just wondered if "they all do that"??

- anyone tried to fit the fuel/temp gauge from the RS and GS. On the K series so many parts are interchangeable (okay mine is an old (1992) K), I cant help wondering whether all the parts/wiring are fitted except the gauge...??

Cheers chaps.

Steve.

[single650]

Sounds like the left timing chain rattle, there's a thread going in the rockster forum with regards to that - the essential message is don't worry it's normal.

A lot of R bits are interchangeable I think they all use the same fuel tank sender unit.

[SteveW]

Thanks single650!

I'll let you know how I get on.

Steve.

[R4R&R]

- anyone tried to fit the fuel/temp gauge from the RS and GS. On the K series so many parts are interchangeable (okay mine is an old (1992) K), I cant help wondering whether all the parts/wiring are fitted except the gauge...??

Cheers chaps.

Steve.

I think this may be more trouble than it's worth. The fuel gauge would need the proper sending unit, wiring and somewhere to mount the gauge. I reset my trip odometer everytime I fill up and have a real good feeling about how many miles I get out of a tank. Plus, when the low fuel warning light comes on, I know I safely have 30 miles left.

The oil temp would be a little more useful (to me) but again, you would need a sending unit and wiring. I have a feeling that the oil temp sending unit location on the GS/RS/RT is not drilled/tapped on the R.

[Biff's R]

The trip odometer is the easiest for a fuel uage, and remember that you have at least 30 miles after the light, and maybe up to 60 miles.

[bransan]

The trip odometer is the easiest for a fuel uage, and remember that you have at least 30 miles after the light, and maybe up to 60 miles.

60 miles? I think not. I have achieved 30 mi. but I wouldn't push it to 60. These fuel pumps won't hold up to dry runs. My rule of thumb is 180 mi. then look for gas.

[Biff's R]

My light comes on at 160 miles, and then I travel an additional 30 miles. When I stop for fuel, I put 4.3 gallons into the tank. If the tank holds 5.4 gallons, I have approximately one more gallon of gas still in the tank. That should get you another 30 miles.

I never implied that one should do it every tank. But is is possible.

[telliott]

<<I>>

There is space in the tank for gas that can't be used, so don't count on that extra gallon unless you want to lean the bike way over on its side to move the gas over to the side with the fuel pump.

My mileage or fuel gage has been so erratic, I'm afraid to trust it. I've started sputtering after only 10 or 15 miles after the light came on and I've gone over 30 when I got caught in a rural area I didn't know.

I'm also very disappointed that I can't go 200 miles to a tank. I've never owned a BMW that wouldn't go at least 200 mi.

[frbank6]

I recall going 220 miles on the interstate when we went to WV. The light would be on, of course. IIRC, the light would light up at around 175 miles. My mileage is much worse when doing regular start and stop city driving.

[zax1150]

hiya had the same sort of buzz @ 2500 turned out to be a dry speedo cable......lubed it an not heard a peep since

BTW I squeeze 24litres into my tank, right to the brim...after all the recessed filler prevents total fill......so far I've done 213miles with a cpl of litres left

I find I have an avg of 60 miles left in with the reserve city riding

[MikeCam]

Jeff said, "When I stop for fuel, I put 4.3 gallons into the tank. If the tank holds 5.4 gallons, I have approximately one more gallon of gas still in the tank."

New math? What ARE we teaching these kids?

[baltm604]

Mike,

One has to be pretty old to even know what new math is

Bill

[R4R&R]

Yes, the tank may hold 5.4 gallons. When on a road-trip I can easily (comfortably, safely) get over 220 miles to a tank, and even then a fill-up doesn't go over 5 gallons, usually around 4.8. Typical local driving the low fuel light comes on around 170. Last week (you may have seen my post) I ran out with 213 on the tank. I tried leaning the bike over on the right head and no luck. I think the fuel pckup doesn't reach to the bottom of the tank, and therefore you'll never be able to use ALL of the gas in the tank.

[OU812]

<<I>>

There is space in the tank for gas that can't be used, so don't count on that extra gallon unless you want to lean the bike way over on its side to move the gas over to the side with the fuel pump.

My mileage or fuel gage has been so erratic, I'm afraid to trust it. I've started sputtering after only 10 or 15 miles after the light came on and I've gone over 30 when I got caught in a rural area I didn't know.

I'm also very disappointed that I can't go 200 miles to a tank. I've never owned a BMW that wouldn't go at least 200 mi.

That is for sure. I have had 38mpg. I have had 54mpg. I would not trust a "dummy" light forever.

[johnnydee]

I just got back from an east coast trip and got the warning light at 200 miles!
Like clockwork but all highway miles.
I then stopped for gas and put 4 gals in!
I tried to extend it once to 220 miles and decided to get gas as I did not want to run out on the interstate!

John

[challey]

Slabbing it home to PA from West Bend last Sunday, my warning light came on at about 190 miles. I put just under 4 gallons of gas in at stops with 208 and 206 miles on the trip odometer. Gave me a good feeling to know that I room to stretch it to 250 in a pinch.
This is by far the best mileage I've gotten - in my normal driving (some back roads, some traffic, little interstate), the light comes on at about 130 miles and I put in about 4 gals if I fill up immediately.

[telliott]

What speed are you guys running? I've never come near 50 mpg, interstate or not. One up or two? luggage??

[challey]

In my case, for I was one up and fairly lightly loaded - only clothes, raingear and some tools/equipt. I kept my speed down to less than 10mph over the 65mph posted limit for most of the trip, but hit some higher speeds for stretches when I could shadow a fast moving rabbit. I actually averaged 48mpg over about 2,200 miles, which included some side trips in West Bend.
As I said in my earlier post, this is by far the best milage I've gotten. I did a valve adjust, TB synch and oil change (Mobil 1) just before the trip which may have contributed a little. I'm also closing in on 20,000 miles, so the bike may finally be broken in.

Charlie

[Gordium7]

I have never seen my MPG below 46, with ~50 pretty typical. I routinely drive one-up, no baggage (or just tailbag on seat behind me), and within quibbling distance of the speed limit (mostly ). Most common usage is the 16 mi commute to work, with 4 miles of that on interstate. Road trips to the mountains on weekends.

Maybe I am too stodgy with the throttle, but I don't think so.

My low gas light comes on at 175 ~ 190 mi, so I think nothing of going to 200 miles routinely (unless I am in the middle of nowhere). I always get about 4 gallons in there when I fill it up.

[telliott]

For the dual plugged bikes, I think they do get better mileage. I'm impressed with the '03 as that is what I have and if I get mid 40's I'm thrilled. 40 or close is about it.

It was tuned at a dealer just before I got it and has 24K. Maybe I need to do it my self and see if I can improve things.