question, fuel tank capacity

[dirtdobber]

I have ran the free out of gas twice to check how far i can go in case of need and how much the tank will actually hold.
Both times it held almost the same, 5.55 gallons. I could get 6.1 in my 12 cvo street glide and 5.3 in my 07 ultra. Whats the deal here im wondering. Anyone else check to see what it actually holds?

 

[DK Custom Products]

I have ran the free out of gas twice to check how far i can go in case of need and how much the tank will actually hold.
Both times it held almost the same, 5.55 gallons. I could get 6.1 in my 12 cvo street glide and 5.3 in my 07 ultra. Whats the deal here im wondering. Anyone else check to see what it actually holds?

In 2014 HD change the filler necks. Part of this change is that the fuel gauge is much more accurate than it has ever been. The downside is that it is really a PIA to completely fill it up.

I've found that by rocking it side to side when it is getting close to full will let me put in almost 1/2 of a gallon more after it seems like it is full.

Here's a pic of a recent fill-up I did.

Kevin

 

[dirtdobber]

Thank you. Ill do that next time. If i can get it to hold 6 gallons ill be good to go. When im riding I dont like to stop except to get gas.
I got your comfort lift installed today. Impressive.

 

[Keystone]

I do what Kevin does. Rock it a bit and squeeze in some more. Biggest problem I encounter is gas pumps that won't squeeze soft enough.

 

[0pini0nated]

My FLRT "6 gallon" tank takes 5.5 gallons of gas

At R - 47 miles-to-empty, the yellow 'gas pump' icon illuminated. I monitored my mileage down to R - 8 (miles.) Then the 'information window' changed to 'LO RNG' (Low Fuel Range)

I changed to the odometer display, and drove 8 more miles. At that point, the ECM "thought" that I was out of gas. I pulled over and checked the tank with a wooden dipstick. There was still 1-3/4" on the stick in the bottom of the tank, the 'information window' still displayed 'LO RNG', the yellow 'gas pump' icon was on, and the gas gauge was on "E" I continued to drive.

At 4.8 miles on the odometer, one cylinder cut out, then cut back in. I continued to drive.

At 5.8 miles on the odometer, one cylinder cut out, then cut back in. I continued to drive.

At 6.7 miles on the odometer, the engine stalled and stopped (I was driving 20 MPH at the time, in a line of traffic!) But, when I put the shifter in neutral, pushed the clutch in, and pressed the starter button, it started and ran again.

At that point, I pulled into a gas station and filled up the tank to the brim. By "brim", I meant I filled it up to the filler neck insert. The insert is about 1-5/8" below the absolute top of the tank, for fuel / air expansion.

The tank took 5.511 gallons of gas. The yellow 'gas pump' icon turned off. The R (Range) displayed 192 miles-to-empty.

 

[dirtdobber]

That's what I did twice. Only difference in what you ended up with is mine showed 234 miles after filling up.

 

[skuuter]

I ran out on a Dealer Demo Ride on one.....I noticed the Harley Dealership Mechanic did the "Shake Thing" also as He tried to completely fill it up.....:xzqxz:

 

[DK Custom Products]

At R - 47 miles-to-empty, the yellow 'gas pump' icon illuminated. I monitored my mileage down to R - 8 (miles.) Then the 'information window' changed to 'LO RNG' (Low Fuel Range)

I changed to the odometer display, and drove 8 more miles. At that point, the ECM "thought" that I was out of gas. I pulled over and checked the tank with a wooden dipstick. There was still 1-3/4" on the stick in the bottom of the tank, the 'information window' still displayed 'LO RNG', the yellow 'gas pump' icon was on, and the gas gauge was on "E" I continued to drive.

At 4.8 miles on the odometer, one cylinder cut out, then cut back in. I continued to drive.

At 5.8 miles on the odometer, one cylinder cut out, then cut back in. I continued to drive.

At 6.7 miles on the odometer, the engine stalled and stopped (I was driving 20 MPH at the time, in a line of traffic!) But, when I put the shifter in neutral, pushed the clutch in, and pressed the starter button, it started and ran again.

At that point, I pulled into a gas station and filled up the tank to the brim. By "brim", I meant I filled it up to the filler neck insert. The insert is about 1-5/8" below the absolute top of the tank, for fuel / air expansion.

The tank took 5.511 gallons of gas. The yellow 'gas pump' icon turned off. The R (Range) displayed 192 miles-to-empty.

When I am trying to completely fill the tank, I fill to halfway between the brim of the tank and the filler neck insert, shake side to side. When shaking it side to side it will burp and drop down to well below the filler neck. I repeat that process 3-5 times to get the extra 1/2 gallon in (at that point the gas is at the flat spot of the filler neck and won't burp down any lower).

Kevin

 

[dirtdobber]

That makes sense to me. My 05 super glide is the same way.
I have noticed it never goes to full by the guage. I just need to get 180 miles to a tank.I'll be good then. I hate stopping so soon.

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

When I am trying to completely fill the tank, I fill to halfway between the brim of the tank and the filler neck insert, shake side to side. When shaking it side to side it will burp and drop down to well below the filler neck. I repeat that process 3-5 times to get the extra 1/2 gallon in (at that point the gas is at the flat spot of the filler neck and won't burp down any lower).

Kevin

I was riding with my spare 2 gal tank in the trunk, and knew I was getting low but wanted to see where the light came on. (never seen it before) When it did come on (didn't realize the pump lit up) the range thing said 24 miles. When I got to a station, the range thing said 12 miles. When I filled doing the shake, shake, shake thing, I could only get 4.749 gallons in. Could the tank lift affect it that much? Did I not shake it enough? Is that 1.251 gallons "I didn't use" still available?

I'm thinking the answer is gonna be in letting it run out of gas.

 

[DK Custom Products]

I was riding with my spare 2 gal tank in the trunk, and knew I was getting low but wanted to see where the light came on. (never seen it before) When it did come on (didn't realize the pump lit up) the range thing said 24 miles. When I got to a station, the range thing said 12 miles. When I filled doing the shake, shake, shake thing, I could only get 4.749 gallons in. Could the tank lift affect it that much? Did I not shake it enough? Is that 1.251 gallons "I didn't use" still available?

I'm thinking the answer is gonna be in letting it run out of gas.

Tank lift with deluxe option has zero affect on usable gas. See the pic above, I was still running (not out of gas) when I filled up the tank w/ 6 gallons, and I have a 1.5" tank lift and Deluxe option.

You either had a lot more gas left in your tank, or you did not burp it enough when filling up.

Where was your gas gauge needle?

Kevin

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Where was your gas gauge needle?

Kevin

Way into the red ... Must of just been lots of air there ... I'll try again with a harder shake, shake, shake ... I was running hard and expected mpg's to be in the 20's ... but was in the 33 range. Next tank I'll let it go all the way empty.

 

[rhino 2]

Way into the red ... Must of just been lots of air there ... I'll try again with a harder shake, shake, shake ... I was running hard and expected mpg's to be in the 20's ... but was in the 33 range. Next tank I'll let it go all the way empty.

When the count down range comes on,[ Anywhere from 32 to 21] Theres about one gallon left in the tank, Then when the low light goes on [Under12 miles] theres about 1/2 gallon left. Iv'e gone 18 miles on low once.. And it still ran fine.. Which make sense because i get between 34/38 MPG's

 

[WindyOne]

Another Burper here. I shake mine 3 to 4 times during a fill up to get max gallons into the tank. I try not to let my tank get too low and the most I have put into it is 5.1 gallons. Shaking is key to a max fill.

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I did a fill today and tried to "burp" it. Nothing at first, then I got a little more aggressive. BURB big time. Added more, BURB, Added more, etc. Got over a gallon in. I'm guessing the position I have the tank in, all the way back, might be making it harder to fill. I will tweak the lift before the next fill.

 

[WindyOne]

I did a fill today and tried to "burp" it. Nothing at first, then I got a little more aggressive. BURB big time. Added more, BURB, Added more, etc. Got over a gallon in. I'm guessing the position I have the tank in, all the way back, might be making it harder to fill. I will tweak the lift before the next fill.

I normally turn the handlebars so the wheel is facing opposite of the side I am filling up on. I then use the grip to shake the trike and it seems to rock more.

 

[dirtdobber]

After reading the suggestion of shaking I went and filled up doing the shake. LOL
Filled up yesterday, 3 miles one way to store. Filled up to the top and the gauge was on full instead of a tad below it. Held .4 gallons with 16 mpg for 6 miles. This tells me I did get more in it, how much, who knows. I'll run it out and see. LOL
My mpg are always low most times because I did not run it out at once for a good test, takes a few days most of the time. If I can get 180 miles to a tank that is good enough. I'm very close now. First test was 162 miles, I then lowered the rear of the tank back to factory. I raised it for wiring but I moved them. second test was 172 miles

 

[joneswcrj]

Fuel and the Free Wheeler

One thing I notice about mine is it absolutely will not pass a gas station. I don't get near the mileage I got on my Road Glide. I only have 1500 on it so hopefully it will get better.

 

[clint44]

One thing I notice about mine is it absolutely will not pass a gas station. I don't get near the mileage I got on my Road Glide. I only have 1500 on it so hopefully it will get better.

What kind of fuel mileage are you actually seeing on the road,Chris?

 

[dirtdobber]

Mine got low mpg at first. At around 2,000 miles it jumped to a lot better mpg. Around 29 to 30 mpg at first then it jumped to 35 to 37 mpg. After the stage one with stock mufflers it went south to 27 mpg. I then changed bafflels, went to fulsac cvo baffles and now getting around 34 mpg. It was running a shade rich.
You will notice a change in power and mpg around 3,000 to 4,000 miles. Yes you will see 2 changes most likely. It will improve even more but it will be very minor. I have my bikes and trikes dyno tuned once and then i have the hp and tq check several times when i make small adjustments. This is how I know of these changes taking place. Every bike I have ever check does the same thing but with different numbers of course