Topic: Petcock strainer/filter question

[chrisp]

So, I replaced a what I believe to be original strainer on my 400F's petcock due to it being broken at the stem...so it basically was going nothing.
The new OEM strainer looks quite a bit longer and also has the nice filter wrapped around it.

My question is, seems now the strainer tube is so long that the bike can run out of gas with a good 1/2 pint or so still in the tank.
Is this normal? Do people cut them down? Or is it just generally common practice to have a longer tube so the bike doesn't suck up as much sediment?

Thanks

[Proto]

I had a similar problem with my 750F.  I replaced the petcock strainer assembly because the old one had a torn screen.  I stuck the new one on and went on a long ride.  The bike starting sputtering and acting like it was running out of fuel a full 20 miles less than the usual point when I would have to shift to reserve.  I switched to reserve and it ran great.  I panicked for a bit thinking I had a major fuel consumption problem but when I pulled in to the gas station, I found my mileage was the same.  I later realized that the replacement strainer assembly was probably for a K model, as I believe their gas tanks are slightly "taller".  I was just happy that the strainer fit my petcock.  I eventually shortened the tube slightly and it is now performing like the original. 

[phil71]

the height of the strainer tube means nothing, since it's a screen, the height of the solid pipe is the 'out-of-fuel' point, and that is why you have a reserve setting , which picks up at the base