FJ1199 running out of fuel?

Curt A · May 28, 2012, 04:02:04 PM

This morning before I left my house for a short ride (less than 100 miles) I knew that the fuel level was a little low, but I was pretty sure I'd make it back home. As I was going down the interstate the bike seemed to sputter maybe 2 miles from the exit I needed to take. At first I was not sure, so I twisted the throttle and sure enough, there was not much response at all. Yet the bike kept running and I was already assuming I'd be pushing it across the interstate overpass and to the gas station another 1/4 mile away. But, it made it all the way.

I rode to the pumps, shut off the bike and noticed that it seemed to be running fine..well, I put in fuel and I was hoping it would be almost empty but it only took ~4.84 gallons. The capacity is 6.5 gallons so this leaves a considerable amount still in the tank. Some background to tell is that I have the Pingel valve installed and if anyone else has this on an 84 or 85 they know that it is not handy at all to operate it. So I fixed it up such that I only have to remove the seat and pull a rod to turn the fuel on and push it (back toward the front of the bike) to shut it off. "On" is actually just past center or reserve position, so I really don't have a reserve using it like this. But, I still wonder about what happened this morning. Since the standpipe (I guess that is the nomenclature) is already in a low position, the situation with fuel level should be mitigated. In other words, I already have it set up to run on a low amount of fuel, yet I had ~ 1.7 gallons in there (which is a lot I think). I was not accelerating when it seemingly was dying, just going down the interstate, just riding like normal. And once I filled up and started it and headed for home, it ran just fine. Does anyone have any thoughts? thanks. (I did not see this issue exactly, but feel free to pounce on me if my answer is somewhere else on the forum)

Curt A · May 28, 2012, 04:03:58 PM

Well shit. Yeah, I meant FJ1100 of course...typing in the dark again.

fj11.5 · May 28, 2012, 05:44:09 PM

maybe the fuel cap vent is blocked or blocking a little

Curt A · May 28, 2012, 07:31:58 PM

as many times as I have read that in other posts it seems, like with most things in life, it is hard to think of everything. Don't you think that ~1.7 gallons of fuel would have been more than enough to take me another.....maybe 70 miles or so? The thought did cross my mind to just get going again once I rode up to the pumps and it was running so good, but on the other hand I was a ways from home and I did not feel like messing around today. I have gotten in the habit of opening the fuel cap after each ride, though. I think I noticed a few weeks back it was holding some pressure (not sure how I "noticed" this..memories fade). I will search posts for the fuel cap issues, maybe there is a fix for that. This is the first time it has acted up since it was worked on last fall. thanks for the jumpstart.

C

FJmonkey · May 28, 2012, 07:38:52 PM

Quote from: Curt A on May 28, 2012, 07:31:58 PM
as many times as I have read that in other posts it seems, like with most things in life, it is hard to think of everything. Don't you think that ~1.7 gallons of fuel would have been more than enough to take me another.....maybe 70 miles or so? The thought did cross my mind to just get going again once I rode up to the pumps and it was running so good, but on the other hand I was a ways from home and I did not feel like messing around today. I have gotten in the habit of opening the fuel cap after each ride, though. I think I noticed a few weeks back it was holding some pressure (not sure how I "noticed" this..memories fade). I will search posts for the fuel cap issues, maybe there is a fix for that. This is the first time it has acted up since it was worked on last fall. thanks for the jumpstart.

C

Search for a "flapectomy", once you have the flapper valves out your internal tank pressure will stay normal to the pressure outside of the tank.

Harvy · May 28, 2012, 08:58:29 PM

Curt, I'm not sure if this relates to the pre-pump models or not, but:

When running low on fuel on my '91, I have noticed that if I decelerate to allow the fuel to flow forward in the tank, the coughing stops for a period of time. The fuel pickup is toward the front of the tank, so guessing that it allows fuel to cover the pickup.
Maybe the act of slowing down to pull into the servo for fuel had the same effect, hence the better running just as you pulled up.

Harvy

Curt A · May 29, 2012, 07:59:29 PM

ahh yes, I recall this flapectomy chat now...thanks btw, thanks a lot for the help....now would this really be a big deal knowing that I have the Pingel (Randy sold it to me) valve? So, the carbs don't get fuel from vacuum but the flow is on by mechanical means. I was thinking of getting that 2nd key made like I need to and having it handy (in the fuel cap) and I think I WILL in fact try to make this happen again by letting it get low on fuel (1.7 gallons is still a lot though..) and I can open the cap on the fly, or at least stop and use that key to open it at that point. Half the fun of having an old bike is solving issues, so I guess this is a good thing.

FJmonkey · May 29, 2012, 08:16:45 PM

Quote from: Curt A on May 29, 2012, 07:59:29 PM
ahh yes, I recall this flapectomy chat now...thanks btw, thanks a lot for the help....now would this really be a big deal knowing that I have the Pingel (Randy sold it to me) valve? So, the carbs don't get fuel from vacuum but the flow is on by mechanical means. I was thinking of getting that 2nd key made like I need to and having it handy (in the fuel cap) and I think I WILL in fact try to make this happen again by letting it get low on fuel (1.7 gallons is still a lot though..) and I can open the cap on the fly, or at least stop and use that key to open it at that point. Half the fun of having an old bike is solving issues, so I guess this is a good thing.

The Flapecotmy is way cheaper than a second key unless you are a Locksmith or have connections. Just pay heed to all warnings of the F%$# small ball bearing that shoots out during dis-assembly (the spring behind it must be influenced by Viagra) and meets up all the missing socks from the dryer. I am not really sure where it goes so this is my best guess.... Get a bucket, put a towel over the top, push the towel down in the bucket to create a work space, take fuel cap a part slowly and remember where all the bits go... Reassemble in reverse when the flaps are gone.... See, so much easier than paying for some Locksmith to find and duplicate a 20+ year old key...

RichBaker · May 29, 2012, 10:14:44 PM

A big ziploc baggie works better, you can keep it on the workbench and see what you're doing.....

FJmonkey · May 29, 2012, 10:42:26 PM

Quote from: RichBaker on May 29, 2012, 10:14:44 PM
A big ziploc baggie works better, you can keep it on the workbench and see what you're doing.....

I like that, it would work, as you were mates...

Curt A · May 30, 2012, 09:00:13 PM

so my other idea of doing the flapectomy (like my appendectomy in 1987 just cheaper and easier, maybe) while I am riding might not be a good idea? Ball bearings, pffffft..who needs em? Seriously, I will look into this. Well, not so much look as peer, peer real hard. thanks boys. Have a good one.

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FJ1199 running out of fuel?