I have a V-Star Custom, 650.
Now I've read quite a few things about the fuel reserve, but none have had a definite answer on what I'm wondering. I recently had a flat tire on my motorcycle, and it had to be picked up from the shop. Well, when the guy picked it up to take it to the shop, to get it onto the trailer, he turned the petcock to the "Reserve" position, instead of the "On" position (I've not needed to refuel yet).
I was just wondering, since I've been riding it in the "On" position, and not the "Reserve" position, will the reserve fill itself back up, or does it only refill when I've refueled?
Thanks! :)
2007-09-23 12:20:13 · 7 answers · asked by RMskater 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
Edit: To "country295", my motorcycle model does not have a gas guage.
2007-09-23 13:03:14 · update #1
I have a good analogy.
Your bathtub has a drain and an overflow. If you were to block the overflow and fill the tub up with water till the brim. That will represent the gas tank. When you turn the valve to the on position you will unplug the overflow till it won't run no more. Then you turn on the reserve you pull the plug out on the bottom and let the rest of the fuel out.
2007-09-23 14:05:05 · answer #1 · answered by Tony M 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Your gas tank has TWO fuel lines coming from it. One right at the bottom, and one higher up. The "ON" gets fuel from the upper line, and when the gas gets lower than that the bike starts sputtering.
That's when you turn the petcock to "RESERVE" and keep riding. Remember the bottom fuel line? That's where RESERVE feeds from- it's not a separate tank.
Once you run out of fuel in RESERVE, you are out of gas. That's why you ALWAYS turn the petcock to ON when you fill up. Sounds like you'll learn about that soon enough, though.
2007-09-24 02:22:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't fill itself back up, both valve positions use the tank, there is no extra tank inside. There are two tubes on the top of the fuel petcock. One tube(the main fuel valve) is about an inch longer than the reserve tube. When the level of the gas goes below the top of the main tube, you need to go to reserve (the lower tube). You do need to switch between the two once in awhile to ensure the gasket in the fuel petcock doesn't stick.
2007-09-23 13:41:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Basically, the answer gave correct info, but to put it very simply, when you have the valve in "ON" position, when it runs out of gas, you really have about 1 1/2 inch of gas left ln the bottom of the tank. Then turn to reserve, and head for a fill up station! Be sure to turn back to "ON" when you fill up
Ride Safe!
Tomcotexas.
2007-09-23 12:45:33 · answer #4 · answered by tomcotexas 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
uhmm, showing how it works would be easier than explaining it..
There's a little tube inside the tank, it is upright. Say it's about one inch long.
In the ON position, petrol (or gas) goes out of the tank via the TOP of this tube, so when petrol goes LOWER than the TOP it won't go out any more, yes?
When you turn it into reserve, petrol goes out bypassing the tube, from the bottom of the tank. Hope it was clear.
2007-09-23 12:31:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
real,the gas gage tell how much gas you have right? ok then if the gas get below that your out but not real.when you turn the resever on,it by passes the the gas tub that it usly uses ..then your on reserve..you have one on cars to when its says your on e, you have one gallen left,kinda,,,well maybe i didnt explane it liek the other person but the meaning is still the same ..
2007-09-23 12:50:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
good answers above, exactly on the money.
What I find interesting is that I remember a question exactly like this(down to the guy loading it on the trailer) a year ago.
2007-09-24 11:40:59 · answer #7 · answered by Firecracker . 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋