Outta Gas Guess?

[Buzz K]

OK, so I have ben wondering, how does a rider know when he's about to run out of gas if his antique motorcycle does not have a (working) speedometer AND does not have a reserve setting on the petcock?

I am planning on riding an early Indian on a charity ride in a couple fo weeks. It does not have a speedo or a reserve setting. And I'd prefer not to gas up every hour "just to make sure."

If a bike didn't have a reserve I'd keep an eye on the odometer. but that's not an option for my 101 as it doesn't have a speedometer.

Do others simply run one side of the tanks dry then flip to the other side and start looking for a gas station or ?

Tips or suggestions are welcome.

[Spike]

I usually just open the tank and take a gander in there. Spike

[Perry Ruiter]

Well, considering the 101 tank only has "one side", the run 'til one side is empty plan probably isn't the best. For a speedoless 101 as you describe I'd suggest contacting Timmermann in Germany and getting one of his gas gauges for that model. It replaces the existing gas cap ... Perry

[Tom Lovejoy]

Johnny Eagles put two pet cocks on his 101, the first goes abit higher inside the tank. When he runs out on that he opens the next and starts looking for a station. But I like the gas cap gage myself. Though I dont have one, I ride my 25 Scout and just keep checking my gas. Usually only do a 50 loop, I gas up each time just to play it safe.

[23JDCA 808]

Carry a can of reserve gas. There are some nice plastic one avail in 1-gallon, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 ...bill

[AFJ]

Re: Outta Gas Guess?

Originally posted by Buzz K
OK, so I have ben wondering, how does a rider know when he's about to run out of gas if his antique motorcycle does not have a (working) speedometer AND does not have a reserve setting on the petcock?

I am planning on riding an early Indian on a charity ride in a couple fo weeks. It does not have a speedo or a reserve setting. And I'd prefer not to gas up every hour "just to make sure."

If a bike didn't have a reserve I'd keep an eye on the odometer. but that's not an option for my 101 as it doesn't have a speedometer.

Do others simply run one side of the tanks dry then flip to the other side and start looking for a gas station or ?

Tips or suggestions are welcome.

Buzz,

For less than $30 one can fit an electronic bicycle speedometer which will give you speed, average speed, distance, elapsed time, etc. etc., and is quite inconspicuous when fitted. If you have a portable GPS system these can also be used to give the distance covered from a full tank situation in order to work out the fuel consumption rate in advance.
You should be able to find out the length of the charity run and any longer, unescorted, ones which I have been on have route sheets with the location of gas and food stops clearly indicated. Failing that having a GPS along will ease the chore of finding of gas pumps. If the organizers give you a mileaged route sheet, it is easy to calculate how far you have gone and a glance in the tank shows about how much fuel is left. Or simply ride along with a buddy with a more modern bike who has a working speedo/odometer and room in the saddle bag for your spare gas can. Make sure he has a full tank of gas on his bike at the start - at a 30 mile long police-escorted charity ride a couple of weeks ago the new Harley dresser in front of me died in the middle of the parade, out of gas. Took some fancy riding for a number of bikes - including my 69 year-old one - to avoid a pile-up. I was luckily hanging back from him a bit as he was busy riding the bike in the parade with one hand and using his photo/cell phone to take pictures of the other bikers on the run. Then his bike ran out of gas.

I usually carry a spare pint can of fuel when riding the 1927 250cc Levis which gets 60 - 70 miles to its 1 gallon tank but I also carry oil to permit fillups from a gas pump (when the bicycle speedo indicates it may be needed.)

With the 61 ci Brough it gets 45-50 mpg at this break-in stage (only 500 miles on the new engine so far) so from a full 4 gallon tank it should be good for 180-200 miles before going on empty so for a 120 mile day's run I usually plan a gas stop midway through the run so I am always running on the top half of the tank.

With the old BMW it doesn't go onto reserve until around 250 miles and the 2 reserves are good for another 50 to 80 miles in total.

I would suggest that if the run which you are taking the 101 on is composed almost exclusively new, late model or other high performance bikes, that you make arrangements to have your own copy of the route sheet and a good map and be prepared to do the ride, at the pace which the bike (and you) feel capable of doing. My experience with the charity poker runs round here is that the "new bike boys" "sport bikers", "custom bike crowd" or "British Cafe Racer clones" all take off from the start at great speed and either get lost, or stop for gas, food, comfort within 30-40 miles. With an old bike, starting at the back, you can set YOUR pace bearing in mind the modest acceleration, lack of riding comfort and lack of brakes, and riding with due regard to the traffic situation and the fact that you have to use hand signals (which other road users won't comprehend anyway). You will appreciate the qualities of the Indian, and will, in all liklihood, pass many of the bikes which set out on a tear. You bike will have an easier time, won't overheat (nor will you). You will, with good time management and a bit of luck, reach the scheduled stops well in time to socialize with other riders. Slow and steady gets you there on an old bike and you get to see a lot more country this way.

Al Johnson

[INLINE4NUT]

Buzz,For a fellow thats rode MCs as long as you Im very surprised by this question and as a matter of fact a few of your others!!! Come on whats your gig?? Or are you really a fisherman ????? Like a friend of mine says...YOUR GOOD!

[indianut]

WHAT HE SAID!

[Buzz K]

Originally posted by INLINE4NUT
Buzz,For a fellow thats rode MCs as long as you Im very surprised by this question and as a matter of fact a few of your others!!! Come on whats your gig?? Or are you really a fisherman ????? Like a friend of mine says...YOUR GOOD!

Sure, why not. What's the best bait in these waters?

Actually I don't remember the last time I rode a bike without reserve OR an odometer. But then again, after making the post I realized the 101, unlike several of my other bikes, has just petcock. Of well...

Thanks to all and I'm going to look into the gascap fuel guage.

[aka HAWG]

buzz k - not to tell you how to run a magazine but what about putting so of these questions ( as well as others asked ) into a help section of this new magazine you are starting???

aka hawg

[INLINE4NUT]

Buzz,I hope you know Im only shuckin with ya

[Buzz K]

Originally posted by Perry Ruiter
For a speedoless 101 as you describe I'd suggest contacting Timmermann in Germany and getting one of his gas gauges for that model. It replaces the existing gas cap ... Perry

I'd appreciate it if someone could tell me how to contact Timmerman to order one of his gas guages.

Thanks.

[ratfink]

If you are riding with a group, just ask the rider along side of you to give you mileage updates.

Where and when is the event? Are they looking for additional riders?

[Buzz K]

The event is in Connecticut (starting at Marcus Dairy in Danbury) on Sunday Sept 23. It is the Kick It ride organized by the American Cancer Society. Everyone is welcome to ride along and I'd love to see some other classic bikes there with me.