How to: Get Fuel / Gas Up / Fill The Tank etc. etc.

[5th_bike]

You probably already know from the book to

- get 87 octane (USA grade) gasoline only
- shut off the engine before fueling
- do not sit on the bike while fueling; put it on its side stand
- clean up any spills on the tank immediately as they may damage the paint.

and from the posts here to

- fill until the level of the fuel just touches the bottom of the ring/pipe of the filler cap, about 1/2 inch into the tank.
- use the trip odometer as a gas gauge, reset it when filling, and by the time it reaches 160-200 miles, it's time to fuel up.

I don't know if it was ever mentioned:

- DO NOT get fuel when a tanker truck is filling the underground tanks at the station, because the incoming stream of gasoline stirs up all kinds of crud/water from the bottom of the tank.
- if you're in a hurry, fuel up at a dispenser('pump') close to the underground tanks, because the pressure is highest there.


Any more tips on filling the tank are welcomed :2tup:

[dannylightning]

never thought about the gasoline getting stured up and all the crud floating around, not a good thought.

[blaine]

never thought about the gasoline getting stured up and all the crud floating around, not a good thought.


All the more reason to have a inline fuel filter.

[Pete7874]

There are filters in the dispenser as well, I'm sure, to prevent the crud from the underground tank from getting into your vehicle.

[Easy Rider]

There are filters in the dispenser as well, I'm sure, to prevent the crud from the underground tank from getting into your vehicle.

There are SUPPOSED to be filters in all the dispenser hoses but there have been stories of cheap assed station owners leaving them out and defeating the safety.

Might just be a rumor......but it wouldn't surprise me if it was true.

[93CutlassSupreme]

There are filters in the dispenser as well, I'm sure, to prevent the crud from the underground tank from getting into your vehicle.

There are SUPPOSED to be filters in all the dispenser hoses but there have been stories of cheap assed station owners leaving them out and defeating the safety.

Might just be a rumor......but it wouldn't surprise me if it was true.


You're right. Some gas station owners allow more water and ethanol into their tanks then legally allowed also.

[burkbuilds]

Years ago I went to fill up one cold Winter Day (In Chattanooga, Tennessee, not Anchorage Alaska) and the pumps wouldn't work. I went in to inquire about getting them turned on and the attendant told me they were frozen. Wonder how much water has to be in your gasoline before the fuel lines to the pump from underground tanks freeze? I've never purchased gas from that station again.

[ncff07]

Would have to be ALOT of water to freeze up. If i remember right from my haz mat classes gas will begin to GEL at -30F or so but has to be colder than -130F i think for it to freeze up but that depends on how much ethanol is in it too.

[Easy Rider]

Wonder how much water has to be in your gasoline before the fuel lines to the pump from underground tanks freeze?

Not much, maybe. All it takes is a couple of ounces accumulating in a low spot along the way.
OR having some accumulated in the filter that is supposed to catch it in the first place.

[3-D Video]

My Land Rover had a wire strainer at the… "fill hole"? to the tank. It kept crud out and made a pretty good water separator. My dad was a pilot back in the 40's. After getting a good spook from some bad gas, he'd filter fuel through a chamois. You do not want to get bad gas when you're flying.

This thread has moved me to thinking I'll make a wire mesh insert for my bike. Should be pretty cheap and easy. Might even be useful :)

[Easy Rider]

This thread has moved me to thinking I'll make a wire mesh insert for my bike. Should be pretty cheap and easy. Might even be useful :)

Consider that carefully.

Gas tank screens usually are:
Thicker wire than "normal" screens
Made of a different alloy that won't corrode with gas and alcohol
Have all the "loose ends" soldered.....so that tiny pieces won't come loose.

Do-able but maybe not practical.

[emory70]

my mileage has so far varied from 58-82 mpg. i use my dad's advice on getting gas, and that is to fill up whenever it's convenient. these things get too good of mileage to worry about a penny or two here or there.