Question About Split Gas Tanks

[kmalysa]

My question is for those of you with split or dual gas tanks, such as my '05 Pitbull.

When you run low on fuel and switch to reserve, how far can you go? It seems like the feed between the tanks (rightside feeding into left side)doesn't work very well once you hit reserve.

Today I took my fuel line off and reserve stopped flowing almost immediately, yet by switching it on and off waiting between a couple minutes each time) I was able to drain about 1/4 gallon or more ( enough to get a couple miles to a gas station anyway).

So My problem is that in the real world, when I run out of fuel on the main and switch to reserve, bike starves for gas. I can't even keep it running but for a few seconds. Looking into tank, I can see the crossovers are not obstructed by dirt , debree or liner material and Fuel cock screen is clean also.
Just seems that cross over from right to left is too slow. Still factory hose and crimped hose clamps.

 

[HMAN]

Ya might check the throttle side tank and make sure the cap and tank are venting properly. I connected both tank vents to a tee and ran it to the ground. I can get about 35 miles on reserve. Just my:zz2cents:

 

[kmalysa]

Thanks,
Both caps have had thier inerds removed, because they were creating a vacuum, I did this a while back.
By tee, do you mean you have both tanks feeding directly to the fuel cock, instead of a crossover bewtween tanks? Did you do this because the crossover was slow?

 

[BigDickPitBull]

Thanks,
Both caps have had thier inerds removed, because they were creating a vacuum, I did this a while back.
By tee, do you mean you have both tanks feeding directly to the fuel cock, instead of a crossover bewtween tanks? Did you do this because the crossover was slow?

I think what he is talking about is the lines at the top of your tank right under the dash. Mine is simply stock and have no issues. Now that being said, when I do go to my reserve after awhile I will switch back and run on regular untill it cuts out. I do this when im pushing to a station. I have gotten up to 135 miles

 

[HMAN]

I think what he is talking about is the lines at the top of your tank right under the dash.

Exactly. Mine didn't have anything but plastic caps on the vents when I got it. Not sure what the stock setup is? I removed the caps to help with the flow and when I would accidentally overfill the right tank it would leak out thru the vent and down on the engine.... not good. I've gotten 165 miles on a fill before but that was pushing it.

 

[Fibersnake]

On mine the few times I found out the hard way, the distance when she did need reserve was not very far, one time it seemed like as you mentioned just enough to start and then sputter. Another time I went a good 5 miles before filling up.

The cross over tube may be an issue since it sets on the bottom of each tank and due to the level being low anyway, there is very little head pressure there, so it may take a little bit more than normal for the fuel to flow across tanks.

The time it did sputter after changing over to reserve. I let it set also for a few min and it ran at least good enough and a cuple of miles to get me to the gas station.

Since then make it a habit to look for fuel 100 mile range. I have taken her out to 140 miles once before filling up, but riding conditions will creat a vast variation on range, so anytime I see 100 miles I start lookingand my pucker factor goes up quite a bit the more miles I ride pass 100. The times I took long overnighters into area not familar with, I made sure to carry me a large MSR fuel bottle just in case. So far never had to use it, but have it with me for such trips for worse case. Nothing worse than being stuck between like Lost Creek WV and Sutton WV with no open gas station insight and hearing banjos and pig squeling in the distance at night.

 

[kmalysa]

On mine the few times I found out the hard way, the distance when she did need reserve was not very far, one time it seemed like as you mentioned just enough to start and then sputter. Another time I went a good 5 miles before filling up.

The cross over tube may be an issue since it sets on the bottom of each tank and due to the level being low anyway, there is very little head pressure there, so it may take a little bit more than normal for the fuel to flow across tanks.

The time it did sputter after changing over to reserve. I let it set also for a few min and it ran at least good enough and a cuple of miles to get me to the gas station.

Since then make it a habit to look for fuel 100 mile range. I have taken her out to 140 miles once before filling up, but riding conditions will creat a vast variation on range, so anytime I see 100 miles I start lookingand my pucker factor goes up quite a bit the more miles I ride pass 100. The times I took long overnighters into area not familar with, I made sure to carry me a large MSR fuel bottle just in case. So far never had to use it, but have it with me for such trips for worse case. Nothing worse than being stuck between like Lost Creek WV and Sutton WV with no open gas station insight and hearing banjos and pig squeling in the distance at night.

Thanks for the input. I just pulled both tanks and found the liner is shot in both. I bet I was getting an occasional clog at the small cross over outlets. Looks like I am going to have to strip and reline

 

[kmalysa]

Exactly. Mine didn't have anything but plastic caps on the vents when I got it. Not sure what the stock setup is? I removed the caps to help with the flow and when I would accidentally overfill the right tank it would leak out thru the vent and down on the engine.... not good. I've gotten 165 miles on a fill before but that was pushing it.

Thanks for the input. I removed my dash and found that both tanks are vented together at the top (in other words attached by hose at top and at the bottom cross overs. I just pulled both tanks and found the liner is shot in both. I bet I was getting an occasional clog at the small cross over outlets. Looks like I am going to have to strip and reline

 

[HMAN]

Glad ya got it sorted out Ken....:2thumbs:

 

[kmalysa]

Glad ya got it sorted out Ken....:2thumbs:

Thanks, but the bitch is having to remove and put new liner in. I know they sell kits, but think I am going to have to payout to a professional with a warranty.