*%&# I ran out of fuel on the Harbour Bridge but had a good run in with the police

[JKWNZ]

Had my first "run in" with the police on Friday afternoon when the bike ran out of fuel just before the harbour bridge at almost 5 o'clock.
A cop came up on the shoulder after I changed to reserve but something wasn't right. It wouldn't start unless the choke was on too.
The cop said to give it a go and he'd follow me over if I go off at Shelly Beach Rd...
About 100m up the bridge the shoulder finishes and the bike started to bog down :(... and finally 200m from the top and the engine died :pinch:...

Flashing lights on behind and I'm pushing the damn bike over the top of the bridge.
Finally got over the crest and manged to get to 50 kph on the downhill only to slow down really quickly on the offramp... so back to pushing the bike til it was clear of the overbridge... frigg'n hot now... felt like a bloody melted Popsicle in my bike gear...

Next was to contend with the officer as I was sure they could ticket you for causing problems on the bridge... The cop got out of his car and then asked whether I needed a lift to the petrol station. Sure enough he took me to the BP and then waited and took me back to the bike with a full petrol can :niceone:. He even took special care so that I could "safely" get back to my bike

Fantastic help and good to know there are some really good ones out there...

[Bren]

nice to see there are some good coppers still about...woulda been funny, but glad I was not in your boots.....(note to self...dont run outta gas on the bridge)

[xwhatsit]

Whoah, one of the worst (and best) places to run out of fuel :laugh:

Poor bastard. So does your reserve not work? Worth doing some extensive testing with that; at home I'd pull the fuel hose off and drain the fuel out into a container until it hits reserve, switch over to reserve and see if the fuel flow is OK.

Weird.

[Disco Dan]

Seems a common thing on the Harbour Bridge...

I would take a look at your fuel tank and fuel filter - you may have sucked up some muck from the bottom of your tank. Give it a good clean out - next time you end up on reserve you may make it a bit further!!!

[PirateJafa]

I ran out of gas on Queen Street once - hadn't checked the tank after picking her up from the bike shop. Switched to reserve and waited five minutes to prime - moderately embarrassing to say the least!

[dino3310]

nice one bro ,fucken nice cop, as they can give you a ticket for that.

[Ixion]

There used to be a special offence of "running out of fuel on the Harbour Bridge". But that was back in the days of the AHBA. The Gypsy would come up, and give you some gas: and a ticket for some quite large sum (in the currency of the day).


I've pushed bikes over the ridge more than once, praying I'd get over before the Gypsy arrived.

[Motu]

Oooh,the Wrath of the Red Gypsy...! We ran out one night towing a car over on an A frame - we were in the towed car out of our heads watching the steering wheel turning corners for us.They weren't too impressed with some stoned hippies in 2 dead cars giggling and enjoying the view.But they took good care of their bridge in those days....always there to lend a helping hand.

[bugjuice]

Seems a common thing on the Harbour Bridge...

I would take a look at your fuel tank and fuel filter - you may have sucked up some muck from the bottom of your tank. Give it a good clean out - next time you end up on reserve you may make it a bit further!!!
+1..

and yeah, they do hand out plenty of tickets to peeps who run out of gas on the bridge. Seen it plenty of times, so you were lucky!!

Think the ticket is something bout driving without due care and attention, since you shouldn't tackle a stretch of road where stopping is a problem if you are likely to cause issues, like the bridge!
so yup, lucky!

glad there's still good cops around tho, i know they're out there

[Trudes]

Sounds like they need a petrol station at the top of the Harbour bridge!! Nice to hear a good story about the cops, for a change!:sunny:

[Cache Wraith]

Had to commute across the bridge on a daily basis some time ago when I was totally skint. I couldn't afford to eat lunch let alone put some gas in the tank. I recall often going over the bridge on a whim and a prayer. Leaving home with the fuel gauge needle below the bottom mark was my only option. I used to call on the big guy to get me over that bridge without running out of gas. I figured I could handle running out on the motorway, but stopping on the bridge wasn't an option I was very keen on.

[kiwibryn]

I am SOOO glad not to live in Auckland... and I have always made sure that my reserve is available... mind you, on the older bikes you can switch while coasting... always remembering not to twist the grip too hard as the fuel comes back in... :rolleyes:

[Nagash]

Ouch, terrible place to run out of fuel.. but I s'pose these things happen.

I hate the walk of shame of pushing your bike down the street..

One time I ran out of fuel and it was about 2am, pushed it a half hour to the nearest open petrol station and realised I had forgotten my wallet! The bastard wouldn't even give me 2 dollars of fuel to ride home and get my wallet.. I even offered him my watch!

Had to walk 2 hours home and 2 hours back... was not happy I can tell you that..

[quickbuck]

What is all this about waiting until your bike runs out completely before switching to reserve?
Well, that is the impression I get from a couple of posts here.

Thing is you should be able to tell when the bike drops in power. Whether it be a single 8 stroking, or a 4 that has dropped a cylinder.
At this time turn the tap and the fuel from the lower stack pipe will come through to feed your motor.
No need to wait for it to prime. No need to stop.

If you ride a 2 stroke, you should be especially attuned to a power loss. First reaction is to disengage the engine from the wheel. IE pull in the clutch!

Saved my skin a couple of times... and even saved the motor on one occasion, as the piston only just began to melt.

[Nagash]

Oh, when I ran out of fuel and ran out of reserve aswell, forgotton I had switched over and then went out..

[Edbear]

I allus fill up before I get to reserve. In my condition I'd probably kark it if I had to push the bike any further than into my garage at home, so I'm a wee bit paranoid about making sure I have plenty of fuel to get wherever I'm going.

[kiwibryn]

Oh, when I ran out of fuel and ran out of reserve aswell, forgotton I had switched over and then went out..

Bet you won't forget to check again... been there, done that, walked the bike... endured the sniggers :D

[Macktheknife]

There used to be a special offence of "running out of fuel on the Harbour Bridge".


There still is such a charge, and frequently used too.

Bloody good work by the copper, that man deserves a beer.
And you need to check out your fuel system, blocked up reserve is not good, but you know that now.

[Divot]

There still is such a charge, and frequently used too.



The charge is "Careless Use", court apperance, and it is any where on the motorway when you stop in a lane and cause problems with the traffic

[Ixion]

No, the old AHBA one was less serious than careless use. It was under the AHBA's own bylaws. In modern day money, something like a $100 fine, maybe.

I ran out twice. Once I was close enough to the top to push over and coast down the other side, then get off by the slip road that used to exist by the AHBA building, before the Gypsy spotted me.

The other time , I was half way up the rise, and died. I knew what it was, and I saw the Gypsy coming out of its cave, so I knew they'd spotted me.

So I quickly reached down and ripped out some of the wires from the battery. Voila, no lights ignition etc.

Gypsy rolls up, "What's up". "Dunno, just died. I've got no lights , nothing happens when I turn the ignition etc" "let's see. Oh yeah. You got plenty of petrol ?? " "Oh, yes, certainly". "OK lets load you up and go, looks like you've got an electric fault".

Phew. Only took a couple of minutes to put the wires back, and half an hour to push up the lake Rd hill to the servo. Shit that hill was steep when pushing.

Careless use would be harsh for just running out of gas, I reckon.

[Patrick]

The charge is "Careless Use", court apperance, and it is any where on the motorway when you stop in a lane and cause problems with the traffic



Careless use would be harsh for just running out of gas, I reckon.

Careless is what it is now, if you crap out on the bridge. Dunno about the rest of the motorways, as you can usually pull over and get out of the way of the lanes.

A tad difficult when on the bridge. Stuffing up of the traffic flow when you do crap out because you didn't take proper care or notice your low tank levels, deserves some level of "You dumb arse... this is for you."

Can be a court appearance, but one that you can be write in about to plead guilty if ya wanted... no appearance in person necessary...

[Badjelly]

Stuffing up of the traffic flow when you do crap out because you didn't take proper care or notice your low tank levels, deserves some level of "You dumb arse... this is for you."

Or a jolly good :spanking: on Kiwibiker

[nudedaytona]

What is all this about waiting until your bike runs out completely before switching to reserve?
Well, that is the impression I get from a couple of posts here.

Thing is you should be able to tell when the bike drops in power. Whether it be a single 8 stroking, or a 4 that has dropped a cylinder.
At this time turn the tap and the fuel from the lower stack pipe will come through to feed your motor.
No need to wait for it to prime. No need to stop.

If you ride a 2 stroke, you should be especially attuned to a power loss. First reaction is to disengage the engine from the wheel. IE pull in the clutch!

Saved my skin a couple of times... and even saved the motor on one occasion, as the piston only just began to melt.

Yeah I notice on mine its not as responsive on the throttle when its low on gas, I've got the hang of switching to reserve now while riding it. Mind you, I have stalled it a couple of times with the switch in the off position, then kick started it and swore at it a few times before realising.

[Badjelly]

I find it amazing that motorbikes are still using reserve tanks (ok reserve settings on the fuel valve) in this day and age. I'm sure this was OK during WW1 (Biggles: "Climb out on the wing and switch the tanks, Ginger dear boy") but in the 21st century!!

My Scorpio is not the flashest bike on the road, but it has this new-fangled thing called a fuel gauge. When the little needle drops into the red zone (every 300 km or so) I call in at the petrol station and fill it up again. I leave the fuel valve on reserve.

[rphenix]

Bet you won't forget to check again... been there, done that, walked the bike... endured the sniggers :D

A decade and some a go I remember pushing the mighty XR home for around 2 1/2 hours after going a bit too bush with not quite enough fuel. Amazing how steep some hills seem while you push the bike!

[Steam]

A decade and some a go I remember pushing the mighty XR home for around 2 1/2 hours after going a bit too bush with not quite enough fuel. Amazing how steep some hills seem while you push the bike!

It wouldn't have been easier to walk out, carry a couple of litres of petrol back with you, then ride it out? Rather than pushing the 150kgs or so of bike for several hours?:innocent:

[Nade]

Every time I fill up I reset the trip meter....I know how far I can go (220kms)before I run out so I know when to fill up....been close the night before payday a couple of times....but I know I can get from home to the nearest servo on reserve...about 30km's. And a fuel gauge on a bike??? WTF lol

[xgnr]

When I wuz in the UK in the last couple of months I noticed BIG flashing signs about checking your fuel (on the M4 and M5).

Dunno if its an offence to run out. (was a struggle just to get used to the "normal" give way rules)

[Skyryder]

threre's no 'good' place to run out of fuel.

Skyryder

[rphenix]

It wouldn't have been easier to walk out, carry a couple of litres of petrol back with you, then ride it out? Rather than pushing the 150kgs or so of bike for several hours?:innocent:

I thought about that, but this was on the West Coast at the time and just happened to be where a few dodgy characters were known to check on their crops up the bush from time to time wasn't sure my bike would still be there when I got back also where I tended to go up the back of the forestry you were generally climbing in altitude on the way up and on the way back coming down so even though there were hills it was in your favor to push the bike as you could roll down quite a bit of the way.

[spudchucka]

No, the old AHBA one was less serious than careless use. It was under the AHBA's own bylaws. In modern day money, something like a $100 fine, maybe.

Careless use would be harsh for just running out of gas, I reckon.

It is a careless use charge.

[BiK3RChiK]

It would still be a bit harsh I reckon... We've probably all run out of gas unexpectedly at some stage. If I see it get anywhere near low, I'm filling up nowadays.

[breakaway]

I reckon what you did was pretty irresponsible, but I can understand that it has happened to all of us at some stage :p

[NZDaniel]

I ran out more than once. My fuel tap just stays on reserve... it's broken. Had to push the bike about 3km once :( It sucks when it happens but I havn't ran out in a long time since!!! (Thank god)

[quickbuck]

I find it amazing that motorbikes are still using reserve tanks (ok reserve settings on the fuel valve) in this day and age. I'm sure this was OK during WW1 (Biggles: "Climb out on the wing and switch the tanks, Ginger dear boy") but in the 21st century!!

My Scorpio is not the flashest bike on the road, but it has this new-fangled thing called a fuel gauge. When the little needle drops into the red zone (every 300 km or so) I call in at the petrol station and fill it up again. I leave the fuel valve on reserve.
Fuel gauges use electronics.

Electronics fail randomly. There is a chance of it failing when you need it.
The best thing is reset the odo, as some have pointed out. I even do this in the cage...
Trouble is even those are electronic on some bikes though...
Although, never herd of one failing.

[sweetp]

I got a new bike and took it on my first big trip over to Nelson (I know not a big trip but only the 4th time I had ridden it). Anyway, 15 min late to the ferrry the yellow button starts to flash. I am 30km from picton and it is early sunday morning.

I knew there where no stations till i hit picton so kept going. As I get to picton the flashing light goes solid and I make the decision to get to the ferry as I am already bloody late.

Check in ok (thank goodness) and get off the bike to look for the reserve tap. Thinking I am going blind I snaggle a fellow biker (there were 30 waiting) and ask him to check for me. Turns out it is an auto system and when the light goes solid it is time to head for the servo.

Spent the whole trip hoping I had enough gas to get to a station in Welly. Turned out ok, but an anxious way to find out what your tank range is!

[quickbuck]

Years ago I was two-up and was on reserve heading north to the ferry after a Brass Monkey.
I was running late, and didn't want to refuel in Picton.
Knew I would use naff all gas while on the ferry ;)
So, carried on... not forgetting to fuel up in Wellington.

Well, 4 hours later we got the jump on the ferry traffic coming off, so we went for it.
As I was clear I thought I would carry on north.... Then 1km out of Paraparaumu the bike gave a little indicator.... a slight power loss.

No worries I thought... I just flick it to reserve....
Then said a four letter word that starts with F.

Yes, that's it. FUEL! I forgot the damn fuel.
Do you know how heavy a GSX600 is with a weeks worth of gear for two people?
Yep, too heavy to push a kilometre...

Lucky a top bloke came along and let me use his lawn mower fuel. Got bike running and missus was happy again, and fueled it for home.

Ever since I've always topped up in Picton, as you can ride the bike onto the ferry right up until it almost leaves.

So, yeah, I'm not perfect, but to be fair the poor 600 used a bit more gas with two POB.

[LilSel]

I ran outta gas once with a pillion on my bike too... bike stalled... I went oh... pulled clutch in and rolled (wasnt in a 50zone)... reached down, turned the tap... started her up again... let the clutch out & kept going to the nearest gas station... I was rather chuffed with myself for not stopping lol...

[howdamnhard]

Yip I do the same.:2thumbsup

Every time I fill up I reset the trip meter....I know how far I can go (220kms)before I run out so I know when to fill up....been close the night before payday a couple of times....but I know I can get from home to the nearest servo on reserve...about 30km's. And a fuel gauge on a bike??? WTF lol

[musicman]

Every time I fill up I reset the trip meter....

Yip I do the same.:2thumbsup


The best thing is reset the odo, as some have pointed out. I even do this in the cage...

I thought this was standard practise? I mean, the trip meter is there for a reason, it takes, what, 2 seconds to reset it? Why would you not use it... :scratch:

[quickbuck]

It seams standard practices have been forgotton over time. This may be due to the advances in technology that make us forget all about them.... Or, just confuse the issue so there is no one proper way of doing something.....

A bit like Microsoft?

[scumdog]

Sheesh, surprised so many of you are crap at organising your re-fuel times - shit, you MUST have had an idea for a while it is time to top up yet you push on??

Just glad you're not pilots - you would'nt be for long, thats for sure.

[JKWNZ]

Just glad you're not pilots - you would'nt be for long, thats for sure.

Pilot in training actually ...

[scumdog]

Pilot in training actually ...

I guess you haven't run out of fuel when flying too often then eh?

[Finn]

I guess you haven't run out of fuel when flying too often then eh?

Yeah, imagine being stuck up their waiting for someone to bring you gas.

Boom, boom.

[Swoop]

And a fuel gauge on a bike??? WTF lol
Yes, some of the modern type bikes do actually have these things fitted.
They compliment a good odometer though.

It is interesting with a new bike. Waiting for the "fuel light" to come on and wondering what the flashing of the last LED fuel bar was all about...
Luckily I filled up before finding out that that there isn't a fuel light, just an angry, flashing LED!

[quickbuck]

Sheesh, surprised so many of you are crap at organising your re-fuel times - shit, you MUST have had an idea for a while it is time to top up yet you push on??

Just glad you're not pilots - you would'nt be for long, thats for sure.

Haha,
Na, only fix em. Leave the flying to co-wrkers.

Actually scummy, even pilots get it wrong. Hence aircraft in very deep water in NZ, and around the world.

[YellowDog]

It may have been the fiance of one of my ex-colleagues who is desperate to get into biking.

Whom ever it was - Nice story & a nice cop.

Perhaps this is the exception that proves the rule.

[Finn]

Oooh,the Wrath of the Red Gypsy...! We ran out one night towing a car over on an A frame - we were in the towed car out of our heads watching the steering wheel turning corners for us.They weren't too impressed with some stoned hippies in 2 dead cars giggling and enjoying the view.But they took good care of their bridge in those days....always there to lend a helping hand.

Times haven't changed. I live on Shelly Beach Rd and see some funny stuff. Just this weekend a shitty old Mazda 121 was towing a written off lancer. By written off I mean it hardly had a front or rear, windows missing, blown out tire, no seats (the driver was sitting on a brick) and the steering wheel had about 500 (yes 500) mm of play. The tow rope was a mixture of rope, strapping, blankets and banana skins which to the surprise of the coconut owners, snapped. I've got photo's at home.

The cops found it hard not to laugh. Anyway, after it got the pink sticker they came back an hour later and towed it away again.

[mattian]

I have always been suprised at how many 250s dont have fuel gauges..... the only way I know that I am running out of fuel is by peering into my gas tank every morning and sloshing it around a bit....... occasionally, I have had a couple of awkward and.... quite freaky! "lurching" moments which is also another indication.

[quickbuck]

I have always been suprised at how many 250s dont have fuel gauges..... the only way I know that I am running out of fuel is by peering into my gas tank every morning and sloshing it around a bit....... occasionally, I have had a couple of awkward and.... quite freaky! "lurching" moments which is also another indication.

Not many bikes have fuel gauges at all.
In years gone by people have learnt that when you fill your bike you reset the Odo.
Then over time you get to learn how many k's you do on said tank of fuel. There is usually a reserve tap on most bikes. when you have to delve into this fuel, you look for a fuel stop.

No need to look in tank, slosh fuel around, and splatter fuel in the eye.... ever.

[breakaway]

Times haven't changed. I live on Shelly Beach Rd and see some funny stuff. Just this weekend a shitty old Mazda 121 was towing a written off lancer. By written off I mean it hardly had a front or rear, windows missing, blown out tire, no seats (the driver was sitting on a brick) and the steering wheel had about 500 (yes 500) mm of play. The tow rope was a mixture of rope, strapping, blankets and banana skins which to the surprise of the coconut owners, snapped. I've got photo's at home.

The cops found it hard not to laugh. Anyway, after it got the pink sticker they came back an hour later and towed it away again.

Ahahah post them! I demand it!

[El Lanzo]

I DEMAND TOO LOL :devil2:

[scumdog]

Times haven't changed. I live on Shelly Beach Rd and see some funny stuff. Just this weekend a shitty old Mazda 121 was towing a written off lancer. By written off I mean it hardly had a front or rear, windows missing, blown out tire, no seats (the driver was sitting on a brick) and the steering wheel had about 500 (yes 500) mm of play. The tow rope was a mixture of rope, strapping, blankets and banana skins which to the surprise of the coconut owners, snapped. I've got photo's at home.

The cops found it hard not to laugh. Anyway, after it got the pink sticker they came back an hour later and towed it away again.

Had to deal with a guy that crashed into a power-pole in his '75 Toyota ute, - the ute was sans drivers door, wipers, windscreen, deck, bonnet,front guard on one side, passenger-side door tied shut with seat-belt, fuel tank (he had a 4-litre container bungied to the seat and a hose to the carb through the windscreen opening).
The hand-brake didn't work and the foot-brake only worked the rear brakes.:crazy:

The reason he crashed?

He had booted it, got crossed-up (yes, in a Toyota ute - but remember how light it would have been), got flustered, hit the brakes which caused the rear to swing even more so pulled on the steering wheel to apply more pressure to the brake-pedal.

And that's where it all went wrong - there was no nut holding the steering-wheel on, it popped off in his hands and from that point on he was just along for the ride until hitting the pole.:wacko:

Surprisingly the only injuries he suffered were from the irate property-owner grabbing him after he hit the pole and fence and 'explaining' to him the orror of his ways.

[Ixion]

So, did it have a current WoF? Probably diesel on the road, that's generally the reason people crash.

[quickbuck]

Had to deal with a guy that crashed into a power-pole in his '75 Toyota ute, - the ute was sans drivers door, wipers, windscreen, deck, bonnet,front guard on one side, passenger-side door tied shut with seat-belt, fuel tank (he had a 4-litre container bungied to the seat and a hose to the carb through the windscreen opening).
The hand-brake didn't work and the foot-brake only worked the rear brakes.:crazy:

The reason he crashed?

He had booted it, got crossed-up (yes, in a Toyota ute - but remember how light it would have been), got flustered, hit the brakes which caused the rear to swing even more so pulled on the steering wheel to apply more pressure to the brake-pedal.

And that's where it all went wrong - there was no nut holding the steering-wheel on, it popped off in his hands and from that point on he was just along for the ride until hitting the pole.:wacko:

Surprisingly the only injuries he suffered were from the irate property-owner grabbing him after he hit the pole and fence and 'explaining' to him the orror of his ways.

Classic Stupid is what stupid does...