I used up my first tank of fuel yesterday. I'd been planning for it, knowing that I would have to switch to reserve. So, when it started spluttering I did just that, but then it cut out altogether. I got it started again, but I made less than a mile before it died completely! I had to fill up from a jerry can , and it took more than 19 litres... I definitely had the fuel tap switched to 'On' before it cut out - that is, I had the little arrow on the fuel tap pointing to 'On' (downwards on my '02 model).

Are you meant to let it run right down to reserve like I did? And do I have a problem with my fuel tap?

I'm planning to leave it on 'Reserve' until next time it runs out to see if the labelling on the fuel tap is wrong. Does anyone have any better ideas?

:dunno:

mine does the same thing, unless you get it RIGHT away it always dies on me , its just a matter of not filling the carbs back up in time i guess. i just switch it over at 88 miles and go to a gas station but i have a 90 so you have a bigger tank so i dont know where you would switch it

You may have to stop at the prime position for a short while before going to reserve .  The on and reseve positions need engine vacuum to operate.  If the engine is not running properly then there may not be enough vacuum to hold the vavles open.

Check http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12569&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=using , Kerry has some good hints for testing the tank valves.

Good luck,


Bob

Thanks, guys. Kerry's post confirms that I really did have it set to On. I tried the Prime position, and I also pointed it downhill coz I figured that would get some off the fuel up from the bottom of the tank, and that seemed to help a bit. But based on 19 litres going into a 20 litre tank, I guess I'll just have to go by the mileage instead of relying on Reserve.

I hate to resurrect such a painful subject, but it's possible that your fuel hoses are switched at the fuel tank petcock.  Has your fuel tank ever been removed for any kind of maintenance task?

It may be hard to believe, but the Suzuki / BikeBandit / Ron Ayers fiche for ALL model years are misleading when it comes to this petcock.  The following diagram was lifted from the BikeBandit 2002 Fuel chicken page and then annotated to reflect reality:



The two hoses from the tank are shaped so that they will not have to cross over each other on their way from the tank to the frame-mounted petcock.  But an honest mechanic working from a diagram in the shop manual would have to be pretty sharp to notice the lengths of the fuel tank outlet tubes, since the fuel filter part of the assembly is hidden inside the tank.

IMMEDIATE RESULT: The hoses are switched when reattached to the tank.

EVENTUAL RESULT: The rider runs all the way through the REServe tank with the frame-mounted petcock set to the ON (down) position.  Then he/she has no REServe to fall back on ... and can't even resort to the PRIme position to hobble a few more miles down the road.

SOLUTION:

1) Check the hose paths and tank outlet tube lengths.  The longer tube should in front of the shorter one.  If everything is attached correctly, STOP and look for another explanation.  Otherwise, continue....

2) Turn the tank petcock to the OFF (slot is horizontal) position with a screwdriver.  Unless you're REALLY good (and perhaps even then) you will need to unbolt the tank and lift it a bit to gain the access you need.

3) Pull the hoses off of the tank outlet tubes and attach each one to the OTHER tube.  Be tidy - don't make them "cross over" each other.

4) Turn the petcock back ON (slot is vertical).

5) Replace the fuel tank mounting bolts.

Kerry out.

EDIT: Fixed formatting and broken BikeBandit link.

Thanks, I'll give it a go.