Fuel Tank Filling

[Maticuno]

How full do you fill your FJ tank?  If I go by what I think the manual is telling me, the most I could ever put in would be about 3 gallons.  I know that filling too full is bad, so what is the cutoff point?

[pdxfj]

I put the bike on the center stand and fill to about 1/4 inch below the neck.

Never had an issue.

[Maticuno]

I put the bike on the center stand and fill to about 1/4 inch below the neck.

Never had an issue.

Now what are you referring to as the "neck"?  The tank has a sleeve with a tapered section cut out of the front, then there is the solid sleeve at the very top.

[Steve_in_Florida]

I've run out of gas on my FJ before.

Even managed to do it THREE (3) TIMES in one trip!

Now I fill it on the centerstand, and even rock it a bit to get those last precious drops in.

The embarrassment of watching the busload of nuns go by LAUGHING, when not ten minutes before I was rocketing by at warp 6, is a harsh teacher.

Steve

[Maticuno]

I've run out of gas on my FJ before.

Even managed to do it THREE (3) TIMES in one trip!

Now I fill it on the centerstand, and even rock it a bit to get those last precious drops in.

The embarrassment of watching the busload of nuns go by LAUGHING, when not ten minutes before I was rocketing by at warp 6, is a harsh teacher.

Steve

Exactly (almost) why I'm asking.  My bike started to sputter and cough, acting like it was fuel starved, even though I could swear it had enough fuel.  Was able to limp it home, running on one or two cylinders thinking my carbs had exploded, only to pull the tank and see the fuel filter was nearly empty.  Now I understand why a fuel pump was added on later models.  With only a half gallon or so left in the tank, gravity alone isn't enough to keep the bowls full.

[oldktmdude]

only to pull the tank and see the fuel filter was nearly empty.  Now I understand why a fuel pump was added on later models.  With only a half gallon or so left in the tank, gravity alone isn't enough to keep the bowls full.

There's your problem right there. Gravity fed FJ's will not run a fuel filter successfully. Simply not enough head to force fuel through, especially when the tank is low.  Pete.

[giantkiller]

Yep first rally I went to. I couldn't run more than 2 gallons out and I had 2 fill it back up. Everyone kept telling me to "take the filter off". I kept it on for a while. Then I finally gave in and took it off... Could empty the tank after that.

[Maticuno]

So, the general consensus seems to be to fill it up to brimming and to remove the in-line fuel filter?

[giantkiller]

Yep

[Pat Conlon]

I disagree with filling it up on the center stand (at least when you fill it to the tippy top)

When you place the bike on the sidestand you can overflow, especially true if you have the back end raised.

Yes, it is also true....no fuel filter on the gravity flow bikes.

[Maticuno]

I fill while still straddling the bike, holding it as close to perfectly upright as possible.  Since this is my commuter machine, I'll be tracking the mileage on Fuelly, and once I have a few more fillups I'll try and post the link in my signature line.

[anson45]

I filled it one time on the center stand and over filled it. I prefer to fill it on the side stand. I don't let it get low enough to be a problem.
Anson

[novaraptor]

I always fill on the sidestand, to the top. Hadn't heard that you shouldn't, but then, I also only fill on the way out, so do put a at least a few miles on immediatly after

[Capn Ron]

If we remove the issue of the fuel filter on the gravity-fed FJs, that just leaves the question of how full to fill the tank.  For me, that depends on where and how far I'm planning on riding.

If I'm going on a hundred-mile loop in the Santa Monica Mountains, I'll just get it "full enough" on the side stand...that's where it just starts to touch the bottom of the fill tube.

If I'm on a multi-day tour, I'll fill it up on the center stand and keep topping it up until it can't take any more...even nudging the bike a bit to get a few trapped air bubbles out.  When I fill it this way, I will make a point to use a shaded pump area and I will have all of my other gas station business finished so I can ride off immediately after filling.  You just never know where you'll find fuel in remote areas and stopping to top up at some station you happen to see at the 100 mile mark every time "just in case" really cuts into the amount of enjoyable time/miles on the road.

[ribbert]

You just never know where you'll find fuel in remote areas and stopping to top up at some station you happen to see at the 100 mile mark every time "just in case" really cuts into the amount of enjoyable time/miles on the road.

Given the FJ's range, the extra bit of fuel you do or don't squeeze into the top of the tank won't make much difference to how far you get. As Capn' says, if you do fill it right up, don't park it on the side stand or in the sun.
I have had large chunks of great rides spoilt by sweating over fuel availability. As I have mentioned before, I carry one of these if travelling where there is a even a remote possibility that fuel may not not be available when I need it. I have rarely used it but the peace of mind makes it worth carrying. I tend to ride remote areas and many of the townships I rely on for fuel only have the one servo or are attached to businesses that close at the end of the working day which in itself presents a risk beyond my control. I have an 8 & 12 litre fuel bladder. The 8 fits neatly inside my bag and with both on board I have a range of about 700 km's.
One of the things I like about carrying extra fuel is being able to head off down a strange road on whim.



Noel