Two gas caps??

[NastyOgre]

Ok so here's my first newbie post.
I have a 2003 pitbull that I know has a split tank on it but I'm wondering, do I fill both sides at the pump or is the left side cap just for looks? I can't get it to budge by hand and I don't want to wrench on it real hard. There is a crossover line on the front and the petcock is on the left too. I'm running it about 100 miles before it sputters and then I can only stuff 2.5gal into it from the right side cap. Specs say 5 gal total so that's why I'm confused. It's been sitting for awhile so I know there might be some gelling of fuel going on too. Thanks in advance for the thoughts.

 

[pauldeepsea]

Ok so here's my first newbie post.
I have a 2003 pitbull that I know has a split tank on it but I'm wondering, do I fill both sides at the pump or is the left side cap just for looks? I can't get it to budge by hand and I don't want to wrench on it real hard. There is a crossover line on the front and the petcock is on the left too. I'm running it about 100 miles before it sputters and then I can only stuff 2.5gal into it from the right side cap. Specs say 5 gal total so that's why I'm confused. It's been sitting for awhile so I know there might be some gelling of fuel going on too. Thanks in advance for the thoughts.

You should fill both sides to top off, I would try to get the stuck gas cap free just to make sure it is venting. Use painters tape around the paint and a rubber strap wrench to work it free. The thread may need cleaned up and I use a very light coat of antiseize or silicone spray for the orings. Good luck

 

[Unsprung]

Left side tank IS left hand thread so turn it to the right to loosen it up, or clockwise.

 

[pauldeepsea]

I think the left side cap has left handed threads.turn it backwards to take it off. You probably have it good and tight by now.

You are correct the caps are opposite threaded.

 

[NastyOgre]

Oh geeze, that explains a lot. I've never had a bike with split tanks/caps before. Thanks for the help. I'll get her opened up when I get off the boat. ‍

 

[Mr. Wright]

Oh geeze, that explains a lot. I've never had a bike with split tanks/caps before. Thanks for the help. I'll get her opened up when I get off the boat. ‍

Also the left side cap is NOT vented

 

[woodbutcher]

DO NOT overfill the right side tank or you WILL have gas pouring out the left hand cap. that crossover tube does allow gas to flow from one side to the other, just not very quickly.

 

[bdm7250]

I think the left side cap has left handed threads.turn it backwards to take it off. You probably have it good and tight by now.

Left hand thread..

 

[chubs]

along with the info about the threads on the left cap, I believe the right cap is the vented one ?? Also, don't know if you are using the fuel valve to switch to reserve when it starts sputtering like it's outta gas? Don't know if you are aware that the petcock has 3 positions, but just in case, all the way counterclockwise is "main"- half way forward is "reserve" and clear forward is "off" . It almost sounds like you're running it down to where you should switch to reserve. and can only replace enough gas to top off the tanks! Important tip: when you're out riding, and she starts to sputter and cough, DO NOT shove the petcock lever all the way forward and end up killing the battery trying to restart the bike !! Halfway forward is what ya want. Okay, I'll say it, Ask me how I know !!

 

[Butch Cassidy]

.. when you fill up, take off both caps and watch. Do the left side first. Use a rag to keep gas off the tank when switching tanks.

 

[BWG56]

.. when you fill up, take off both caps and watch. Do the left side first. Use a rag to keep gas off the tank when switching tanks.

You can just rotate the nozzle 180* so the curve is up and no gas will come out as you move to the other side. I do this every time even with a one piece tank.

 

[bdm7250]

You can just rotate the nozzle 180* so the curve is up and no gas will come out as you move to the other side. I do this every time even with a one piece tank.

Oh crap..that's ingenious..guess I can ditch my rag now..

 

[woodbutcher]

Oh crap..that's ingenious..guess I can ditch my rag now..

don't do it yet. even before i insert the credit card, i get the towels to form a dam around the filler neck. if they don't have paper towels, i go on to the next station.

 

[BWG56]

don't do it yet. even before i insert the credit card, i get the towels to form a dam around the filler neck. if they don't have paper towels, i go on to the next station.

I thought you were gonna say you bend the credit card into a funnel

 

[bdm7250]

don't do it yet. even before i insert the credit card, i get the towels to form a dam around the filler neck. if they don't have paper towels, i go on to the next station.

We don't have the rubber boot on filler nozzles here, its easier to see what your doing. No rag needed..

 

[woodbutcher]

don't have the boot here either but do it just in case.

 

[heybaylor]

.. when you fill up, take off both caps and watch. Do the left side first. Use a rag to keep gas off the tank when switching tanks.

correct, however after you fill left tank, put that cap back on.
then fill the right tank.(if you don't the lean of the bike will cause the left to overflow as you fill the right )

 

[NastyOgre]

I think I started "how to properly fuel a motorcycle 101" lol

 

[BWG56]

.

 

[bdm7250]

A few more posts then we can talk about the stale air in our tires, again or battery's

Or how you just ramble on about pretty much anything, drawback of having the attention span of a flea..