And The Dumbass of the Year Award Goes To...

[toads]

Well so far I've ridden off several times with my stand still down and a couple of times I've forgotten to turn the petrol on and the bike has started spluttering away I've now learnt turn to fuel tap as I ride along!

hmmm, I also confess to doing the same, and routinesly forgetting to turn the fuel off again too, it's a car mentality I suffer from I think.

[laRIKin]

Other peoples advice never fails... when the desired effect is

As he was saying thats not what I meant , trying not to smile and piss him self laughing.

He looked very sincere. For a moment or two.

[F5 Dave]

One of the funniest rides I went on I had my old Kat & my friend had borrowed a shonky XJ ex cop bike. We set off for turangi at warp factor (on private roads of course) & come Sanson he had stopped to look at the ignition switch which was devoid of keys having fallen out who knows where. Oh well can use any key to turn the switch. Oops how about the tank though. Well no choice, out with screwdriver & suitable force so he could fill up.

Did again in Rangitiki, it was drinking juice, so I was giving him grief about he YIDSNX acronyms all over the bike which supposedly made it efficient intake blah blah & I knew I could do 320 km on main so didn’t fill up.

He did again at Wiaoru. Sure you don’t want to Dave? Nah mate I’ll be sweet knowing I could do 320 km on main. 265km just going up to the summit on the Desert Road the bike splutters. Seems when stretching the cables they drink a bit more. Oh poop! Drastic calculation of how far reserve would last vs how far to go. Slow down some more to conserve gas. And more.

Coming into Turangi is splutters. Wind on a bit of choke to keep it going. And a bit more. Pull in clutch, coast into petrol station, I kid thee not.

Could have got away with it but it was obvious I had slowed down considerably & was a few min after him.

Also broke a calliper with a disc lock. Only put on the rear now.

[Wonko]

hmmm, I also confess to doing the same, and routinesly forgetting to turn the fuel off again too, it's a car mentality I suffer from I think.

Can someone explain the use of the fuel tap. I never switch mine off, and it doesn't seem to have any effect on mileage. Is it just a case of mild paranoia or is there a real risk of leaking a lot of gas?

[pete376403]

If the bike has a vacuum operated tap (diaphragm tap) and it's in good condition, not a lot can be gained by turning it off (anyway, you can't, the three positions are main, reserve and prime)

In the old days, when brit bikes had Amal metered leaks for carburettors, engine vibration plus the brass needle valves would invariably lead to fuel leakage. When parked, this excess fuel usually pooled under the motor, where well meaning people could extinguish their cigarettes. Later Amals had rubber tipped needle valves so the leakage rate wasn't so bad. However this is the origin turning off the fuel at the tank tap. Mikuni and Keihin carbs are designed properly from the outset, so they don't as a rule leak. Thus the jap bikes can get away with diaphragm taps.

[merv]

I presume a few bikes are like my VFR too in that it has an electric fuel pump like a car because the outlet from the tank is below the carbs which are up high under the tank. It has a tap on the tank hidden behind the fairing but with only "on" and "off" positions because you need to turn it off only to remove the tank.

Fuel gauges are the way to go just like in your car. Hard to forget when they are in front of your face and you have the warning light as well.

[Ms Piggy]

If the bike has a vacuum operated tap (diaphragm tap) and it's in good condition, not a lot can be gained by turning it off (anyway, you can't, the three positions are main, reserve and prime)

In the old days, when brit bikes had Amal metered leaks for carburettors, engine vibration plus the brass needle valves would invariably lead to fuel leakage. When parked, this excess fuel usually pooled under the motor, where well meaning people could extinguish their cigarettes. Later Amals had rubber tipped needle valves so the leakage rate wasn't so bad. However this is the origin turning off the fuel at the tank tap. Mikuni and Keihin carbs are designed properly from the outset, so they don't as a rule leak. Thus the jap bikes can get away with diaphragm taps.

So Pete, does this mean I shouldn't bother turning the fuel tap off & on my my bike? Another thing I was taught to do at my Basic Handling Skills course.

[Big Dog]

So Pete, does this mean I shouldn't bother turning the fuel tap off & on my my bike? Another thing I was taught to do at my Basic Handling Skills course.

I would try it, if it is harder to start or there is fuel present on the floor in the morning go back to turning it off.


Ps what does that have to do with handling skills competency?

[Ms Piggy]

I would try it, if it is harder to start or there is fuel present on the floor in the morning go back to turning it off.


Ps what does that have to do with handling skills competency?

Ok cheers for that.

The guy that did our BHS went through a bit of basic motor bike stuff as well. I think possibly b/c most of us were quite new to bikes. He talked to us about things like the reserve tank, indicators, checking oil, checking tyre pressure regularly and all the other stuff that people who know about bikes know. It was good b/c I knew nothing and now I know tiny bit.

[Big Dog]

okay.
I would have thought being able to turn to reserve on the move would be on the test, as it is real dangerous in some places to pull over and stop to do it.

[Jackrat]

I run out of gas yesterday morning.Went to fill up at Matamata and only had $6.00.I thought I had $10.00 in change And I didn't have my bank card with me.Hit reserve at Bombay,Then crawled toward home.I now know for sure i can get 30 km on reserve.I also know Waiuku is 38km from Bombay,Pity that!!.As I was walkin along the road I could hear change rattling in my pocket.There was that $4.00.

[pete376403]

You've gotta check every pocket at least twice!

[Posh Tourer :P]

So Pete, does this mean I shouldn't bother turning the fuel tap off & on my my bike? Another thing I was taught to do at my Basic Handling Skills course.

I personally would continue to turn the tap off on an older bike, partly because you are more likely to have worn/split fuel hoses, or minor leaks here and there, or something that doesnt quite set right, like the carb floats, lettign the carb overfill and spill out. Personal preference though. I know occasionally the beemer carbs dont shut off properly, having the fuel off is useful then..... The flipside is you may wear the tap out, but that is unlikely, unless it hasnt been designed very well. The CB250RS tap is a straight flow tap, with an on, off and reserve, and it has a (relatively) basic carb.