What is this switch? Next to choke on '86

[TMadlem84]

I THINK the switch is the fuel reserve switch... that's kind of a guess though... My bike is missing the plastic shroud (called an air outlet grille).  I can see in my Clymer book that the switch would is labeled on this panel.

So am I correct in thinking this switch is to switch to your reserve tank?  Which way is reserve & which is regular?

[rktmanfj]

Yep, that's it.

Rock it forward for reserve.  It's a simulated reserve, though.

It should be labeled on the rear side of the rocker.

Randy T
Indy

[TMadlem84]

What do you mean a simulated reserve?  Don't reserves work by simply having the reserve line located lower on the tank than the main line; that way once the tank is empty past where the main line would pull gas, you can switch to the lower-mounted reserve line?

[rktmanfj]

Not this one.

When the float reaches a certain level, it triggers an electronic simulated reserve.

Randy T
Indy

[TMadlem84]

Ahh, that's pretty cool.  Thanks for explaining it.

[racerman_27410]

Ahh, that's pretty cool.  Thanks for explaining it.

pretty cool until it leaves you stranded on the side of the road with gas still in the tank.....

[TMadlem84]

Why would it strand you... if it fails?  Doesn't pushing the switch up allow you to use the remaining fuel?

[fjrpierre]

on a similar note Frank, is it the same for a 92. I used to leave the reserve switch "on" all the time and just trust my milage count.

[racerman_27410]

Why would it strand you... if it fails?  Doesn't pushing the switch up allow you to use the remaining fuel?

you have to understand it is a electronic reserve..... there is only one fuel outlet on the petcock.... and only one pickup inside the tank. 
there is a electric solonoid on the petcock that mechanically closes off the fuel supply when the sensor inside the tank tells the controller that the fuel level is getting low.

sometimes the plunger inside the petcock wont retract and let fuel flow again (controller error- requires unplugging the petcock to get fuel flowing again)  OR the whole system wont function and you run it bone dry without the "reserve" ever kicking on.

it is a very untrustworthy system and has been since they were new.....

[racerman_27410]

on a similar note Frank, is it the same for a 92. I used to leave the reserve switch "on" all the time and just trust my milage count.

its kind of the same Pierre.... except on the late models it cuts off the fuel pump instead of closing off the petcock fuel supply

[Bob]

on a similar note Frank, is it the same for a 92. I used to leave the reserve switch "on" all the time and just trust my milage count.

I reused mine as a aux switch.  All of a extra electrical outlets (vest, grips, GPS) are controlled by the reserve switch with relays.  Handy, since there are time I want to control that circuit separately from the key switch.