Thanks, dudes

[SmoothDave]

So, I've been on vacation for the past two weeks, and the worst thing about vacation is that I didn't have the bike with me.  I got back late yesterday, and I was on the bike early today.  Yummy.

There I was, zooming down the highway at 65 mph when the engine starts to miss.  I always wondered what I was going to do the first time I needed gas at 65 mph, and today I got to find out.  I eased it off to the shoulder, and just as I did, the bike shut down completely.  No problem, I thought, I know this one.  I turned the valve to reserve and hit the starter.

Mmmm, chuga, chuga, chuga...nothing.  Wouldn't start.  I look up the road and down the road and think to myself, great, something's broken.  This sucks.  Then I remember something I read right here in the GS00 Message Forum.  It was something about turning the valve to Pri or something like that, so I look down and turn the thing to that, whatever THAT is.  Hit the starter and just like that she pops to life.  Happy am I.  I slap it into gear and head to the nearest gas station.

So, whoever mentioned that in the past few months, thank you.  Today I remembered and it made my life much, much better.

Smooth Dave

[proudlom]

Why didn't you just reach down and switch the valve to RES when your engine first started to miss?  I'm not being sarcastic or anything, is that a bad thing to do while you're riding cause I do all the time?

[BK]

If it happened to be me you were referring to- Your welcome!  Glad to help a fellow biker in need.  They look better being ridden than pushed...

[kyzee]

Yup...that trick (switch to PRI) always work when the carb bowl is emptied. good to know that.

[Kerry]

Happy am I.  I slap it into gear and head to the nearest gas station.

...where you spun the petcock back to the ON position after you filled up.

Right?  

[Kerry]

Why didn't you just reach down and switch the valve to RES when your engine first started to miss?  I'm not being sarcastic or anything, is that a bad thing to do while you're riding cause I do all the time?

Not a bad thing at all.  That's the way I have always done it.

But I haven't hit RES for a while now, and in the meantime I have learned a good refinement of the technique from others on the board.  Next time I run low on gas and the bike starts "stuttering" I'm going to swing it all the way from ON to PRI for several seconds, and then back to RES until I run out again.

This should get fuel to the carbs faster (especially useful if you're in traffic!) while still giving you a final "only 2 or 3 miles to go now" warning if you forget to fill up right away.

[SmoothDave]

I read the tips on trying to reach down while riding, but I don't feel comfortable enough on the bike to try it yet.

Yes, Kerry, I did remember to switch it back at the gas station.  And once again, I have you guys to thank for that too.  

Smooth Dave

[perfdrug]

yesterday was the first time i ever switched it to res while riding, while it was necesary. i'd practiced a lot, cause i knew some day i'd need it.

i did run one once to  :lol: