So I discovered this weekend that somehting is with the reserve on my tank. Haven't really taken the time to try to figure out what yet but I was wondering if this is a problem on the 2000 model?

One thing that I was contemplating was putting a fuel light in instead of the reserve. Has anyone done this already? Can it even be done?

What do you mean something's wrong with reserve on your tank? We need specifics. Reserve is simply a hose that is about an inch lower in the tank than the pickup for "ON". I don't remember ever reading about anyone putting a fuel light on their GS, but I've only been around for 7 months, so someone could have done it way before I showed up. Perhaps a search is in order. Until you give specifics about your problem, I can't offer any help, sorry.

IDK what happened, I switched to reserve and then left the parking lot, little ways down the road (less than 2 miles) the bike died. I switched back to the main tank (err switch err whatever, sorry I suck at technical terms) and the bike started back up. But there wasn't enough gas to make it much farther down the road. Ended up having to hop on my friends bike with him and go back to my apt for a gas can b/c it just wouldn't start. Got it filled back up and everything works fine. My friend has far more motorcycle knowledge than I do and he said he thinks that the I need to sync the carbs, not sure this has to do with anything or not. The switch on my tank is all messed up too, it doesn't line up with the writing. I'll have to run out and take a pic. Another thing my friend and I doscovered when I got the bike was that the tank shut off valve is facing the wrong way. I'm not sure if this is a manufacturer error or if one of the previous owners did this.

Here's a quick pic...

Quote from: st8racin on April 18, 2006, 10:47:00 AM
The switch on my tank is all messed up too, it doesn't line up with the writing. I'll have to run out and take a pic. Another thing my friend and I doscovered when I got the bike was that the tank shut off valve is facing the wrong way. I'm not sure if this is a manufacturer error or if one of the previous owners did this.

The switch looks fine.  it is in the "ON" position. turn left and it will be in "RES"erve.  straight up in "PRI"me

The tank shut off switch is a little funny.  it only takes a 1/4 turn to turn off.  but it will turn 3/4 of the way.
I don't think I am putting it into words right.

anyway, under the tank the slot must "point" down for fuel to flow.

the problems you describe sound like the time I had the reserve and main lines switched out.
I would also suspect the carbs, but you should rule out the fuel lines first.

good luck

oh yeah, when I was troubleshooting my "reserve" line issues I kept a small bottle of fuel with me, when the tank was nearing empty.

the bike ran outta fuel and I was able to limp to a gas station.  I put in about 1/4 gal and drove around trying to figure out the prob.

hope this helps

Quote from: 3imo on April 18, 2006, 11:30:25 AM


the problems you describe sound like the time I had the reserve and main lines switched out.
I would also suspect the carbs, but you should rule out the fuel lines first.

good luck

I should probably check that out. My friend and I put longer fuel lines on it when I got the bike so you could actually take the tank off and not have to remove the fuel lines, maybe we got them switched around. Sucks he's in Californina this week for work. I night have to tackle this one on my own.

Thanks 3imo 

agreed, I'd bet you have the main and res lines switched.  Remember the longer tube on the petcock is the reserve and then use this page to double check everything:

http://www.gstwin.com/fuel_hose_routing.htm

-M

Should be an easy fix, you can do it yourself, no doubt. The longest tube on the petcock is reserve, the other is the main. Just make sure they go to the right spots, shouldn't take you too long.

Crap.. looks like mandres beat me to it!

Ok looking at that diagram and the one in my Clymer is making me question the fuel shut off valve again. I'm a noob so plz bare with me on this. The fuel shut off on my bike faces to to right side of the bike not the left like it shows in the clymer pics. Could this be another reason the reserve isn't working right? Or are the tubes too close together for this to eaven matter?

my clymers confused me too.  use the diagram Mandres posted.  it is correct.

one thing.    just to clear up the terms. 

just under the tank is the "tank mounted petcock" it has a fuel shutoff switch.
on the frame is the "frame mounted petcock" it only switches betwix  main/reserve/prime

The "Fuel shutoff valve" you mentioned I think you mean the "tank mounted petcock"

if so, it doesn't matter where it faces.  a PO might have switched it around.  as long as you have the longer tube connected to reserve.

or I misunda sttod you....if then...sorry 

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f191/eimoytiana/www_gs500_de_HoseRouting.jpg

if this is what your refereing to, mine faces to the right. 

3imo yeah I meant the tank mounted petcock...like i said I suck at technical terms. Mine faces left but if it doesn't matter then no worries. The frame mounted petcock just seems odd to me that it has an arrow on the lever but it doesn't corespond to the writing on the petcock. Might fix that someday when I'm bored.

Just went out and looked, lines are definitely wrong. I unfortunatelly don't think I have the motivation to fix them today.

[Edit] Back to the possibility of the fuel light idea. Can someone explain to me how the fuel light works on bikes that have them. What senses that the fuel is low?

Unless there is some crazy way of doing it in the MC world, fuel level is determined by a float that sits in the tank, and in a idiot light only case it would trigger a switch to make the light come on when it fell below a certain point.  Like I said unless there's some crazy MC way of doing it, I don't see a practical way of installing a float without some significant modifications to the tank.  Maybe theres a kit out there?

Quote from: st8racin on April 18, 2006, 11:36:29 AM

I should probably check that out. My friend and I put longer fuel lines on it when I got the bike so you could actually take the tank off and not have to remove the fuel lines, maybe we got them switched around. Sucks he's in Californina this week for work. I night have to tackle this one on my own.

Thanks 3imo 

if your friend thought you needed to sync the carbs to cure this problem, and he switched the fuel hoses on you, maybe you're better off learning to do it all yourself. before you know it he'll be telling you that the slight front end chatter you feel are bad valve guides, and that you need to take apart the bottom end of the engine to adjust the clutch freeplay ...

Quote from: LimaXray on April 18, 2006, 12:42:55 PM
Unless there is some crazy way of doing it in the MC world, fuel level is determined by a float that sits in the tank, and in a idiot light only case it would trigger a switch to make the light come on when it fell below a certain point.  Like I said unless there's some crazy MC way of doing it, I don't see a practical way of installing a float without some significant modifications to the tank.  Maybe theres a kit out there?

A minimally invasive way to do it would be like my lawn tractor, which has the gauge integrated with the cap, if you think you can fabricate a fuel cap.  But you may not be able to reach the bottom of the tank reliably enough to get a good reading.

Another way, if you can make/buy a float sensor smaller than the ID of the fuel line, is to shove it up the main fuel line up into the tank, and seal it off with something gasoline-proof.  Then just draw your fuel from reserve, but enjoy your idiot light when the fuel goes below your sensor.

None of those ideas are tested, and they both probably suck.

Quote from: che mike on April 18, 2006, 01:05:31 PM

Quote from: st8racin on April 18, 2006, 11:36:29 AM

I should probably check that out. My friend and I put longer fuel lines on it when I got the bike so you could actually take the tank off and not have to remove the fuel lines, maybe we got them switched around. Sucks he's in Californina this week for work. I night have to tackle this one on my own.

Thanks 3imo 

if your friend thought you needed to sync the carbs to cure this problem, and he switched the fuel hoses on you, maybe you're better off learning to do it all yourself. before you know it he'll be telling you that the slight front end chatter you feel are bad valve guides, and that you need to take apart the bottom end of the engine to adjust the clutch freeplay ...

I trust my friend, he made a mistake is all. The thing about syncing the carbs has more to do with the fact that I have only had the bike about 2 months and have no idea when this was done last if at all.

Quote from: che mike on April 18, 2006, 01:05:31 PM
if your friend thought you needed to sync the carbs to cure this problem, and he switched the fuel hoses on you, maybe you're better off learning to do it all yourself. before you know it he'll be telling you that the slight front end chatter you feel are bad valve guides, and that you need to take apart the bottom end of the engine to adjust the clutch freeplay ...

Just what I was going to say.  Your friend is, I'm sorry to say, completely clueless.  He may be very well intentioned, but for god's sake don't let him touch your motorcycle with a freaking tool!  He doesn't know what he's doing. 

I would have to agree. "knowledgeable" friends can sometimes be your worst enemy(unintentionally, of course). Listen to your friends, but get independent confirmation as much as possible

Quote from: st8racin on April 18, 2006, 01:17:17 PM
I trust my friend, he made a mistake is all. The thing about syncing the carbs has more to do with the fact that I have only had the bike about 2 months and have no idea when this was done last if at all.

If you described the problem to him like you did to us, then the issue is much worse than a simple mistake.  It's a fundamental lack of troubleshooting skills.  However, it's your bike and your decision.