Stranded on highway, but nice Harley rider was able to give me a lift

[pandy]

Actually, Harley riders aren't as bad as some say. I've had them pull up next to me on the freeway in traffic (before I was splitting) to admire the ears on my helmet, and I'm always friendly at stop lights. If they don't pull up next to me, I turn around and give them a wave.  They pull up, and we chat while we wait for the green. Almost invariably, they admire my bright red "crotch rocket" and tell me they wish it wouldn't kill their back to ride a sportbike, and I admire their beautiful, loud pipes and tell them I wish they could ride in front of me always when we're splitting!  Then we ride on with a wave.

P.S. +1 on what Egaeus said about buying a few bucks worth of gas. It really can make a world of difference. My commuter GS usually coughed and sputtered if he had anything less than half a tank in him...seriously! 

[indywar360]

My SV650S is a boy, too. I don't ride girls.

Anything with a petcock is a he. Think about it. 

[pingpong]

Actually, Harley riders aren't as bad as some say. I've had them pull up next to me on the freeway in traffic (before I was splitting) to admire the ears on my helmet, and I'm always friendly at stop lights. If they don't pull up next to me, I turn around and give them a wave.  They pull up, and we chat while we wait for the green. Almost invariably, they admire my bright red "crotch rocket" and tell me they wish it wouldn't kill their back to ride a sportbike, and I admire their beautiful, loud pipes and tell them I wish they could ride in front of me always when we're splitting!  Then we ride on with a wave.

P.S. +1 on what Egaeus said about buying a few bucks worth of gas. It really can make a world of difference. My commuter GS usually coughed and sputtered if he had anything less than half a tank in him...seriously! 

Did you ever figure out the reason as to why it would run rough with less than half a tank? I seem to be having the same problem, but I'd like to get it resolved because going just 100 miles between fill-ups is a pretty big hassle.

[MarkusN]

Prolly petcock related. Have you tried running it in PRIme?

[pandy]

Anything with a petcock is a he. Think about it. 

Oh...I could do SO much with this one...but we're in General, so I'll be good.... 

Did you ever figure out the reason as to why it would run rough with less than half a tank? I seem to be having the same problem, but I'd like to get it resolved because going just 100 miles between fill-ups is a pretty big hassle.

No, never dug too hard. I simply filled up every 100 miles, ran him in PRI on the freeway and in ON for the street. Upgrading the petcock might help.

[pingpong]

Anything with a petcock is a he. Think about it. 

Oh...I could do SO much with this one...but we're in General, so I'll be good.... 

Did you ever figure out the reason as to why it would run rough with less than half a tank? I seem to be having the same problem, but I'd like to get it resolved because going just 100 miles between fill-ups is a pretty big hassle.

No, never dug too hard. I simply filled up every 100 miles, ran him in PRI on the freeway and in ON for the street. Upgrading the petcock might help.

Yea, hopefully it's just a petcock issue and not something more serious. Running it on Prime hasn't helped me with the problem, which happens so randomly. I can be moving along nicely at 80mph on the freeway with no problems, then suddenly get hit by it when I'm on the streets at 30mph. Annoying little problem to say the least. Especially when it happens to me while I'm on my way to class...on a fatty hill....with one lane and no shoulder.

[pingpong]

So the shop filled up the tank with 3 gallons of gas and the bike fired right up. They checked the petcock and fuel screen but everything seemed find, so they're stumped. I guess maybe I'll just have to live with fillups every 100 miles?

[pandy]

Give it a try!

[Egaeus]

Are you absolutely sure that the ON/RES aren't backward?  That could very well be your problem.

[pingpong]

Are you absolutely sure that the ON/RES aren't backward?  That could very well be your problem.

The mechanic was the last person to put the bike back together so hopefully it's put together correctly. But I'll probably double-check it or just run with the petcock pointed to RES and see if switching to ON the next time it feels like its bogging down.

[Egaeus]

The problem with that is that if it dies, you won't get the carburetor bowls to fill back up because PRI doesn't work once you've gotten to your reserve. 

I trust the average bike "mechanic" about as much as I trust my dog with a steak.

[pingpong]

The problem with that is that if it dies, you won't get the carburetor bowls to fill back up because PRI doesn't work once you've gotten to your reserve. 

I trust the average bike "mechanic" about as much as I trust my dog with a steak.

'

So prime only draws through the ON line? I always thought it drew from reserve.....in that case, I guess I'll actually have to check the hose routing then.

[Egaeus]

It draws from reserve, BUT ONLY IF THEY AREN'T BACKWARD.

[pingpong]

I checked the hoses and they were all hooked up properly. For some reason, gas will flow through the reserve line on Prime, but not on Reserve, which makes it sound like a vacuum issue. But if it was a vacuum problem, wouldn't that affect the main line as well? This sounds more and more like a problem with the frame-mounted petcock. Should I get a replacement Suzuki petcock (I'd like to have a reserve, otherwise I'd just go with a Pingel), or should I just leave it as it is and use the PRI setting as my reserve?

[damiencovington]

Hey, what about improper fuel line size?  Is is possible the line is too small?  I am rebuilding mine and the guy that had it last put 1/4" SAE fuel hose on it.  By looking at the way it fits on the posts, I would say it is too small.  Does't it need something like a 9mm hose?

Damien

[pingpong]

Also, quick question, when running the bike in RES, does it also pull fuel through the main line as well?

Just as a thought, has anyone considered carrying a small can of gas in their tailbags? Or maybe that's just too dangerous or something?

[MarkusN]

Also, quick question, when running the bike in RES, does it also pull fuel through the main line as well?

I don't think so.

Just as a thought, has anyone considered carrying a small can of gas in their tailbags? Or maybe that's just too dangerous or something?

I've done it once when I wanted to run her dry to check extreme range, but I wouldn't do it regularly.

[Egaeus]

I checked the hoses and they were all hooked up properly. For some reason, gas will flow through the reserve line on Prime, but not on Reserve, which makes it sound like a vacuum issue. But if it was a vacuum problem, wouldn't that affect the main line as well? This sounds more and more like a problem with the frame-mounted petcock. Should I get a replacement Suzuki petcock (I'd like to have a reserve, otherwise I'd just go with a Pingel), or should I just leave it as it is and use the PRI setting as my reserve?

Was the engine running? 

The frame-mounted petcock is simple to check.  There are 4 screws that hold the diaphragm and cover on.  Take those out and check the diaphragm.  Is it intact?  If it has a hole in it, then it will not work properly.

The ON, RES, PRI selector is held in by the metal clip that says ON, RES, PRI.  Take a small flathead screwdriver and unclip it and pull it out.  It will come out with a little force.  Check the o-ring and replace if it looks cracked or your petcock will leak all over your bike.  Notice that the selector will only go back on one way since the slot it fits in is asymmertical one way.  The thing that actually redirects the fuel will sometimes come out as well, but I wouldn't worry about it. 

Make sure the passages are clear when you turn it to its proper setting.  Clean it out and put it back together. 

[Wrongside]

I trust the average bike "mechanic" about as much as I trust my dog with a steak.

You need to retrain your dog...I can put a steak dripping with juices on a plate inthe middle of my kitchen floor and tell my Husky "NO" and he won't go near it. I've even tested and left the house for 2 hours and it was still there 

Lucky

[Egaeus]

You need to retrain your dog...I can put a steak dripping with juices on a plate inthe middle of my kitchen floor and tell my Husky "NO" and he won't go near it. I've even tested and left the house for 2 hours and it was still there 

Actually, I can tell my dog to leave it, and it won't get touched.  However, it only lasts as long as I'm there.  There's no way meat would survive 2 hours.