fuel gauge

[mike siggs]

I like to ride and ride hard, which the bike does very well. I would like to ride without the constant worry of running out of fuel. Can or has anyone fitted a fuel gauge? if it can be done, how? This may upset the purest, but I'd like to build a TRX for to age we live in now!! thanks for any info.
mike

[alextrx850]

Fuel gauges are a guesstonomy at the best...the trx has 30 or so kays on the reserve at the fuel tap..highway running...and you should know your machine,and put enough fuel in to get you out and about...fuel gauges on bikes similar to ABS..otherwise you will need to cut open the tank and fit a fuel float..then weld it in , then have wires exiting and then a reading device.....still with me ?...hey -how about a stick with grooves..?.

[cobbadiggabuddyblooo]

3litres on reserve

[Snod Blatter]

The lower-tech approach would surely be easier, like a tube on the outside of the tank:



Or even a sightglass!

[drix]

Firstly, hello Mike and secondly, why own a TRX if you want to bring it to modern standards? Defeats the purpose of owning an older bike in the first place in my opinion. You might as well just buy any modern plasticky bike (they're all the same these days anyway, just different colours) if you want to ride in comfort

[alextrx850]

It takes a bit of effort to fit a fuel proof plug to fit and work within the tank..mostly, a fuel level sender is piggy backing on the fuel injection pump...so apart from the ducati fibreglass tanks of old,..where the clean fibreglass was painted with a strip clear showing the fuel level...but then the fibreglass would de laminate with the fuel.
This is why a carbed bike won't have a fuel gauge.
Good comments above as well.

[jerryw]

I always set the trip meter to zero when I fill up. The first time I did this I ran the bike to reserve and then I know how many km(miles) the bike does before I have to look for fuel to fill up again.

Simple system, but works a treat on a bike with no fuel gauge.

[Red Rex]

Yes ... what Jerry says.
You just have to be sure to rest the trip meter and switch the tap back to 'normal'. I forgot once and wondered why I'd gone 50 miles over my usual range without hitting reserve ... could've been embarassing

[alextrx850]

Too true Red Rex,..I've a length of tubeing with the tools for the bikers that are on the side of the road looking forlorn.
Can usually find a can to give a bit of fuel...amazing how happy it makes them feel.
Gotta watch out for the plastic coke bottles with yellow fluid in them on the side of the interstate tho..

[pbear62]

Quote from alextrx850: [This is why a carbed bike won't have a fuel gauge.]

Except for my 1983 Suzuki GSX550ES !!

[Snod Blatter]

Except for my 1983 Suzuki GSX550ES !!

And My 1984 Honda CBX250RS-E.. Damn accurate it is too. No idea how it works, mind!