[naughtylion]

I know you turn the knob, and I know how a reserve works, but I was wondering if there is any technique to using the reserve.

I'm a noob (obviously) and ran out of petrol once after only having the bike a week. Didn't know what the fuck was going on, so I pulled over. The bike died and I switched to reserve and tried to turn it over several times with no luck. Now I'm paranoid about running out of fuel when further away from home. I ended up having to cab it home and cab it back with a can of fuel, and when I filled it up, she turned over no problem.

I know my reserve pipe could be blocked, but before I start taking of fuel tanks and losing several hours of drinking time I was wondering if it makes any difference if you switch to reserve whilst the bike was running/moving or not. And if it doesn't make a difference generally, CAN it make a difference should circumstances be right (temperamental bike, etc)?

 

[wins]

When you run outta petty you have to swithc to reserve and pull the choke up and give it couple of clicks and twist of the wrist. Should start up fine.. however the reserve gets fuel from the bottom of the tank so a lot of crap down there goes into your engine.

Sorry for the slang.

 

[naughtylion]

Awesome. My choke cable isn't attached... probably why I couldn't get it started.

At least my paranoia wasn't for nothing lol might get a new choke cable...

 

[Scotty]

fill your tank, make sure your fuel switch is on the on position, ride until you feel your bike start to run out of fuel then switch it to reserve (you don't even have to pull over just turn it as you ride along) and make your way to a fuel station.

pretty straight forward one would think.

 

[sir.b]

Pretty normal I believe mate, here's how I think it works: When your bike in the "on" or "reserve" positions fuel will only flow when there's vacuum, so when you turn the bike off the fuel delivery stops. When you don't get reserve turned on in time the carbs run dry and the bike stops. Off bike = no vacuum = no petrol to carbs = won't start. Some bikes have "prime" instead of "off", and when the carbs are dry you switch it to prime, the carb bowls fill with petrol, and off she goes. Without a prime setting, you need to get vacuum happening (hit the starter) and wait for the petrol before it'll kick.

Justin.

 

[naughtylion]

fill your tank, make sure your fuel switch is on the on position, ride until you feel your bike start to run out of fuel then switch it to reserve (you don't even have to pull over just turn it as you ride along) and make your way to a fuel station.

pretty straight forward one would think.

Yeah I knew that, but I live in the city and the majority of time I ride I'm in traffic - not on a smooth open highway. I know it will start to splutter or something but in case I miss it amongst all that's going on, and it dies on me whilst I'm stopping, starting, chopping traffic, riding the clutch like a dickhead, etc, I wanted to make sure that you should be able to start it again once it's stopped.[hr]

Pretty normal I believe mate, here's how I think it works: When your bike in the "on" or "reserve" positions fuel will only flow when there's vacuum, so when you turn the bike off the fuel delivery stops. When you don't get reserve turned on in time the carbs run dry and the bike stops. Off bike = no vacuum = no petrol to carbs = won't start. Some bikes have "prime" instead of "off", and when the carbs are dry you switch it to prime, the carb bowls fill with petrol, and off she goes. Without a prime setting, you need to get vacuum happening (hit the starter) and wait for the petrol before it'll kick.

Justin.

Exactly how I wanted it explained. Hope this helps other newbies too.

Cheers mate

 

[EyeLuvBeer]

had a very similar experience. ran out of fuel, switched it reserve and no go. had kinda clutch start it to get fuel pumping (after pushing it for almost 2km. thankfully on a flat road, before trying tos tart it again). was an epic fail of a ride. after reading this hopefully we all learn

 

[viper33]

happened to me twice
if you've already stopped, then switch to reserve and try and start it a couple of times
a choke cable would help, if you dont have one then it might take a bit longer
it doesnt start off right away
try a few times, if it doesnt start, give it a while and then try again
but make sure you dont keep trying to turn the engine over constantly or you'll end up discharging your battery