CBR250RR: no reserve on tank?

[jonjeronimo]

Hi folks. Ran out of fuel today for the first time and went to switch to reserve but that only got me another 200m then it died again. There was still fuel in the tank visible but the engine would not start. The bike kicked back in when the darling wife turned up with a full cannister of 91 so it isn't a blockage in the normal line. My theories are either the reserve pipe is blocked or the fuel tap is faulty so not switching over, or some blockage in the tap system. Anyone have experience with this and a solution before I start pulling bits off.

[jonjeronimo]

I'll just post this to close the thread, explain how I spent the afternoon and if any other newbies have the same problem they may find these points useful:
STEPS TO CLEAN CRAP OUT OF TANK
1. Remove tank. (it does not have to be empty but full makes it heavy and awkward)
(remove seat, unscrew tap, undo top bolt under seat and head nut, lift partially and pull off the the two hoses on the autocock- the mechanism with the tap on) the fat one is the fuel, the thin one is the vacuum tube.)
Be careful not to loose the two rubber feet. You may well need to remove the fairing bolts near the tank both sides to get past it.
2. Remove the petrol cap. - there are about 8 allen bolts, 5 are decoration, 3 hold it in place (gotta love Honda). Polish the shit out of your chrome cap but don't try polishing the outer ring its plastic!!
Be aware that one bolt has a rubber foot below it, this is crucial as it sits over the breather hole and must be aligned correctly when re-assembling or it will block the hole and the fuel will not run.
3. Empty the tank upside down over some large tray that will not melt .... Shake the tank around as you do this to get to as much as possible. Inspect inside for rust etc.
4. Remove Autocock - Tank upside down unbolt the one large nut that holds it in place. Pull it off. If the petrol filter in the tank does not come out use a pair of pliers to gently pull it out. Clean the filter and Autocock, check O rings are intact still.
5. Check diaphragm in Autocock - When its spotless undo the four screws that keep the front plate on. Carefully withdraw the vacuum plate and spacer, the rubber diaphram and spring should all be intact. Clean all the mechanism is fresh petrol. Reassemble in reverse.
That solved my No Reserve problem - I guess some crap must have been blocking the feeder hole as it sits right at the bottom of the tank.
Finally don't recycle your petrol back into the tank, filter it (I use a paper coffee filter in a funnel ) and save it for the lawnmower.
After the autocock is back on the tank you can test it:
1. Put in some petrol.
2. Prop front and rear of tank on blocks of wood to support the autocock off the ground.
3. The long thin tube (vacuum tube) that was on the autocock connects to the left side of the carbs and is easily pulled off from the front left of bike. Check it carefully for any cracks or pinholes that would cause a loss of suction. Reattach to the autocock. Put the other end in your mouth and suck gently as you turn on the petrol tap, it should flow freely in on and Reserve. The vacuum you create opens the diaphragm which allows the petrol to flow. In use that basically stops petrol flowing when the engine is not running. Damned clever. If the petrol does not run then the diaphragm is damaged or seated badly.
Sit back proud that you just sucked an autocock.

[FJRider]

Sit back proud that you just sucked an autocock.

Well it is a honda ...

[Ocean1]

Nice work, dude. Good to write it up, too.

[hayd3n]

i had a similar problem on my hornet
i removed the intank filter, and installed a inline one
now and crap in the tank will catch in the filter out of the tank