Topic: I might try this fuel system on my bike, anyone else try this?

[Deltarider]

well it can have its use, i don't think that needs to be debated.

but if shtone asks me what i think... i do think it's not strictly necessary and clutters the bike. the nice thing about these old CBs is that they are so basic. but then i'm also guilty of putting a satnav on mine which many on here will call a sin. after all, paper maps work or you could even just stop and ask someone 

maybe for me the satnav together with trip meter and reserve replaces the fuel gauge: if i get anxious for fuel, i can just check where the petrol stations are and at what distance, and pick one to ride to.

Oh, but I am much in favour of such a nav aid and soon hope to publish a photo of what I think is the best spot.

[ofreen]

I know where Shtonecb500 is coming from.  Fuel range can vary widely on a trip depending on conditions, strong headwinds being just one of them.  One time riding along the south side of the Columbia River fighting the famous wind through the Columbia Gorge the faithful 750F (4 gallon tank) went on reserve at 80 miles rather than the more typical 125-130 miles.  Caught me by surprise all right and I knew I wouldn't get far on reserve.  Another factor I've noticed riding around a good part of the USA is fuel quality can vary in different locations, resulting in less range.  I have two bikes with fuel gauges, the CBR1000F and the Road King.  When on those bikes, I use the gauges to keep an idea on fuel consumption, something very handy when out in lonesome places.  I love the 9 gallon tank on my R100GS-PD.  Usually there are no worries about gas on that bike, unless I forget to gas up.  I did that one time on a ride on 395 in Eastern Oregon with my wife on the back   We went through Burns already on reserve and I was going to stop there for gas but spaced it.  We were headed for John Day and I didn't remember until going through Seneca well after dark.  Ooops (it was already a long day).  We made it but it was close and my wife reminds me of it every once in a while. A cool thing about the old airheads is their two petcocks, giving you in effect two reserves. 

[eldar]

I have noticed the fuel quality, too. Some places just have crappier gas. It isn't cause the fuel is made poorly(usually), it's how long it takes to get delivered to the large bulk tanks. Then how long it sits there before getting distributed.

[Quattrocilindri]

This conversation has been too much fun to read! Every gadget has a place and purpose, with some limitations.

For comparison purposes, my 1985 Vespa PX150E came from Piaggio with an electric fuel gauge AND a low fuel light! And the fuel tank only holds 8 liters total, including @ 1.5L in reserve. Petcock was originally without a reserve position.

It did not take me long to run out of petrol once the fuel light came on, so I retrofitted a reserve fuel pipe in the fuel tap, which allows the tap to go into reserve a little earlier, and I just ignore the fuel gage, most of the time.

As someone here correctly stated earlier, fuel consumption rate varies greatly with your riding style at the moment, head/tail wind, heavy traffic, etc. Even the trip odometer alone can give you an even less accurate estimate.
What if your fuel system starts to slowly leak? So, you can't beat a reliable reserve feature, if you take into account all the possible conditions you run into while riding.

[Kevin D]

Say Greg, I’m presuming you made that 179 miles without running out.
Did you use the 2? Gallon spare tank under the cargo net?
Does the fairing help or hinder mileage?

[ofreen]

Say Greg, I’m presuming you made that 179 miles without running out.
Did you use the 2? Gallon spare tank under the cargo net?
Does the fairing help or hinder mileage?

That sign is at the intersection of US95 and NV140.  It goes up and down depending on whether gas is available at Field's Station.  That photo is from one of the SOHC4 relays.  I bought the gas can at the Winnemuca walmart as a precaution.  Turned out Field's Station had gas that day.

As far as the effect the Windjammer had on fuel mileage, I don't have a definite answer.  Vetter used to brag that a motorcycle was more aerodynamic with his fairings than one with just the rider.  I was always skeptical, mainly because the bike's top speed was less with the fairing than without.  I have been running the bike without the fairing for the last three years.  It seems like it occasionally does better than before, but the difference isn't dramatic.  I do miss the fairing on cold days or during extended speeds above 70.  But I don't miss the weight on the front end.  The bike handles better without it.