Knucklehead fuel consumption

[Ian Biddle]

Can anyone please tell me what is a realistic gas mileage to expect from a fairly good, standard 47EL? I'm getting 40-45 per Imperial gallon (I'm in the UK), thats about 33-38 per US gall; which seems a bit low. Bike run great and the MPG isn't important - I'd just like to know. Thanks, Ian

[Jerry Wieland]

From my experience that might be just a little low but still very realistic. My 46 EL out on the road will do in the low 40's - less on short jaunts.

Jerry

[T. Cotten]

Considering the volumetric efficiency of modern fuels is severely compromised,
I'd be proud as punch to get 40 mpg!

Jerry must be doing something right.

....Cotten

[RichO]

MPG

'40 El, 35 +.

[Chris Haynes]

At ass hauling speed my 74" Knuck with a 2.2 gallon tank could travel 60 miles on a tank. Your mileage may vary.

[flathead tom]

47el knuckle bobber

mine gets 37 mpg and obama gave me a hard time not having a any mufflers!

[knuckleheadtim]

I used to get as high as 42 hauling a hack with the old gas, but I don't get that now with the oxygenated fuels and no hack. Cleaner air? I doubt it when I have to richen the mixture to get the same power.

[conwayde]

Ugh - I get only 28 - 30 on my 38 EL....Not sure why it's so low, but I've asked this question before, and many had similar mileage to mine. I thought I read in an old brochure that the El should have gotten about 60 MPG. I wish!

[bmh]

Gearing and riding habits can have an awful lot to do with fuel milage.

[portagepan]

Conwayde
Maybe yours is so low because you actually measured it.
Mike

[conwayde]

Ha! Well, I have been calculating it, carefully, since I got it, and it has consistently been in the 27 to 29 MPG range. This is mostly driving back country roads, with some occasional runs up to 55+ MPH when I'm forced to use a highway. I understand gearing could effect it, as do driving habits, and weight of the rider (210 lbs - fat!), and other factors. I asked this question a while back on another forum and most of the respondents, Knuck and Pan riders, had similar results as mine. So, I'm a little surprised to see people getting in the high 30s and 40s, although, I originally thought I would get at least that much too. So, Portagpan, are you saying my results are more realistic and approaching the true MPG of what a Knucklehead should get?

[portagepan]

Yes. This is supposed to be a technical discussion. Not wishful thinking.
Mike

[koanes]

My stock 46FL consistantly hits 45mpg with straight gas, a little less with ethanol added fuel, 41-42mpg. M35TP carb.

[Jerry Wieland]

Kyle I was hoping you'd jump in and tell these guys. I was going to but didn't want to spoil your show. They did not seem to believe my milage so I had little faith that they would believe your story coming from me. Last year going to the knucklehead reunion I easily got over 40 mpg

Thirty years ago Bill Wilsons' 48 pan regularly hit over 50 mpg whenever we went on rides and we rode together all the time. It had a stock M35 also.

Jerry