Fuel Gauge

Still having grief with the fuel gauge, one minute it works then it doesn't. While filling up on the last 2 occasions I have put in:
"Techron PEA Concentrate Plus Petrol Fuel Injector System Cleaner"
and some success has been had, the gauge goes to full, then whilst riding after fill up the gauge gradually goes down bit by bit. I always put the trip back to "0" and give myself a limit of 90Mile per tank to be safe. I have a spare Fuel/Pump/Sender unit that came with the bike, so how much plastic has to come off to achieve the change-over of it please.

Kev

Kev,
I wish I could get 90MPG on my 2013 Swing. I average 50MPG. Fill up at about 150 miles on my trip meter.

Easy
Ooooops should have read 90 Miles per tank
Corrected now, thanks for spotting it

My 2007 with 25,000 miles at present will go about 150 miles and still show 2 bars on the gauge. I fill up at this point at the first gas station. Usually takes about 10-11 litres at this point. That's 3-4 litres still in the tank. Which means the range on a tankful would probably be 175-180 miles. Could even go to 200 with moderation in speed and handling.

Jay.

Do a Search here for "Fuel gauge mystery".

To remove the fuel tank you'll need to remove the side skirts, tank undercover & sub frame and tunnel cover. Then the front cover. Remove the two bolts attaching the tank to the frame. If that werent enough you'll also need to remove meter panel, probably the handlebar covers, and the remaining front body (with the cubbies), all that just to remove the third bolt attaching the tank to the frame. 

Of course prior to all that you've emptied all the fuel, removed the seat & seat undercover and disconnected the sending unit wiring and fuel line.

Stay with me now... Once you've got all those obstacles out of the way all you have to do is to raise the bike high enough to allow enough room to manipulate the tank because it drops down at an angle out of the frame.

Now doesn't that Techron treatment sound a bit more attractive?  HTH

Tim

Jay
Many thanks, appreciate that. It will give me some figures to work on now and not panic so much on reaching 90 miles

Tim

You know I think you may be right there, just ordered 30 ltrs of Techron

I'd make a dipstick. Or carry a litre tin just in case.

Lost it
Got one of those 1 ltr containers (well quite a few) as they came with some generators that we had for the Fire Engines & a few went missing

As you know I do not have all the innovations you plan on fitting Gooner Kev , but, on my old Silverwing I did a fuel check and from a full tank to empty got 220mls. I average 60-65 MPG. On my present swing I get the same fuel consumption. I always put the trip meter back to zero when filling up. I carried a two litre bottle of fuel when I did my fuel check.

That's what I'll be doing only real problem is the pump used the petrol in the tank to keep itself cool so running it completely dry isn't the best way to make it last. Thurs is why when you completely empty the tank you will find it hold at least a litre more than the handbook says it will hold.

Old Limey
Thank you for that great info, and I will use that as a reference on my mileage, but I will cut 50 miles off that just to be safe mate (we have all been in the embarrassing situation when we were young Yep, I do the trip after a full tank just to be safe.

Trev
I knew the pump held some but did not know it was that much, thanks mate

Kev

Not sure it is that much, but the VFR says 22 litres in the hand book, when I changed the fuel filter in the tank I put just over 23 litres in it to brim. Probably same pump in the Wing...

OK mate, thank you for that.
I wrote on MSG_MotoVlogs youtube page on "How-to Fairing Removal Video in-depth & steps" if he could do one for removing the necessary bit's in order to get to the Tank/Fuel Pump and he's going to do one, that will help a lot of people out

Easyrider, If I was only getting 50mpg on my Swing I'd been checking for what's wrong or getting rid of it. I do a mix of city and freeway here in Tucson,AZ and have consistently got 58-62 mpg. I can't believe some of the poor mileage folks on this site get .

I am happy with my Swing. Gas mileage usually relates to one's driving habits. I like the feeling when accelerating to get up to speed when entering an expressway. I guess I could improve my mileage, but why? I am having fun. Don't get me wrong, I don't blast full throttle unless necessary.

I recently saw a video on how to remove the surrounding area of the Fuel Pump which I want to replace with a spare one I have but cant find it anywhere. I only ask as I don't want to take off any panels that don't require removing for that purpose.

Kev

Don't forget, when comparing mpg, that an Imperial (UK) gallon is 20% more a US gallon!

That said, it's obvious some people are consuming fuel at very different rates.

Easyrider reports 50mpUSg = 60mpIMPg.

Old Limey reports about 52mpUSg = 62.5mpIMPg.

AldusFran reports about 60mpUSg =  72mpIMPg.

Just to add to the confusion, though here in the UK we still measure fuel consumption in miles per gallon, the fuel is actually sold in litres!

I thought that it is the other way around that an Imperial gallon is more than a US gallon?
In the Americas, a gallon is equivalent to 128 fluid ounces or 3.785 liters (American spelling). But in the UK, it's 160 fluid ounces or 4.546 litres (British spelling).

Found a guide from "The Bern" post but want to be sure:

Remove saddle
Remove sparkplug cover
Remove floor mats
Remove lower skirts
Remove passenger footpeg mounting plates
Remove central floorboard section

Easyrider wrote:

I thought that it is the other way around that an Imperial gallon is more than a US gallon?
In the Americas, a gallon is equivalent to 128 fluid ounces or 3.785 liters (American spelling). But in the UK, it's 160 fluid ounces or 4.546 litres (British spelling).

Oops!  You're right.  

Brain fade, I'm afraid.

I've amended the figures in my previous post. (Someone please check them!)

First the problem:

http://silverwing600.forumotion.com/t8587-fuel-gauge-mystery?highlight=Fuel+gauge

Then the solution:


http://silverwing600.forumotion.com/t8645-fuel-gauge-mystery-follow-up?highlight=Fuel+gauge+mystery

Tim
What can I say, but a big thank you for all that helpful information on both post's. I will now set a day to remove the surrounding plastic and go for it

Kev

IIRC you multiply the litres by .22 to get gallons. UK gallons...

I did a check on my VFR800FE fuel consumption today. I'm doing 180 miles a day and averaging 3.2 gallons per fill. Or 58mpg. Not bad for the style of rider I am.