Uh, some more questions

[Keiran]

So I'll straight up admit I'ma motorcycle Newb.

I've been riding my Hawk around town and tonight I ran out of Gas. It was only at 90 miles (and the tank was suppsodily full). So Then i switched to reserve but I didn't end up getting any gas So i puished to the other side of the road (the safe Side0 And waited for some gas to show up. So now I have a few questions.

What is a good RPM to be cruising my bike at? I've been riding at about between 3-4,000 RPM is this too high (perhaps why i went through a tank so quickly?)

How full shoudl i fillt he tank? Until the hose clicks off, or do I watch and fill it all the way to the top? I'm not sure If I'm supposed to leave room in there or not.

And abotu my reserve, maybe the reserve got switched on earlier and ran on it? Or does it take a while for the gas to make it to the engine from the reserve?

Thanks for all your help!

[NT696]

Everybody has done this.

Fill it all the way up. The downturned lip inside traps a small bubble of air at the top of the tank.
You should get at least 125 miles from a full tank to almost comletely empty including reserve. After running dry, it will take about 4-5 tries to get started again. The fuel lines and carbs need to fill up again. Reserve position on the petcock is with the 'flag' pointing up. No need to switch to off when parked, as the pump has a built-in check valve. If the bike has been stored for a while with gas stabilizer, it will burn through the first few tanks VERY quickly. By the third tank everything should be OK.
3-4K is a good cruising speed, you will get used to what is too fast the more you ride. I want to shift up at anything over 5K.
Best of luck
-enjoy driving all year round (im jealous!)

[Keiran]

hah hah, yeah it was 87 degrees out yesterday, IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE FALL!

hopefully this tank of gas will last a bit longer. How many gallons do our itty bitty tanks hold?

[Vtwin650]

I only get about 100 - 110 miles out of a tank, including the reserve.
sounds like you might have had the petcock on reserve the entire time since you were unable to switch to it and get to the nearest gas station.

you can fill the tank all the way to the top, it is only about 2.5 gallons at best when bone dry.

[Doc]

I concur, Unless something is wrong with your petcock. Maybe your bike is running rich and needs a tune up?

[brewsy]

I'm pretty certain that I get less than 90 miles but I have only been riding in city traffic here in Manhattan.
I really wish for a 6th gear though, I always find myself going for an imaginary gear!! I'm sure weve all done it!!
Clutch it, bang the old toe and realise that your already in top!! doh....

[Doc]

Yep I did that... Everytime on the front straight at NHIS.

[ekubota]

I usually was able to get 100-110 also, including reserve. I usually refueled at 90-100.

Doc, how fast did you get on the straight, and how long is it? At Jennings (not a very long straight) I only got up to 85 (but this was from a Sigma, calibrated - indicated on stock speedo would probably be 90). Most of the reason I didn't go faster was because I wasn't confident in the braking ability after a previous incident in turn 1, and because the amount of wind on a naked bike at 85 starts to get painful.

[Doc]

Well I didn't look at the speedo, too busy braking for turn one.

I would say about 85-90, I hit 110 with my 900ss.

It is Loudon Speedway, the stockcars race on it. I think it might be a mile track so the straight would be what 1/4 mile?

[SMF]

as far as street riding goes I always got about 90-100 miles/tank before reserve (closer to 90) - pipe and jet kit, top of the airbox removed... maybe I have a heavy right hand

[Doc]

Check out this Video, My first trackday 2nd lap. I was slow.

[ekubota]

I would say about 85-90, I hit 110 with my 900ss.

It is Loudon Speedway, the stockcars race on it. I think it might be a mile track so the straight would be what 1/4 mile?

Thanks, this makes me feel better. The straight at Jennings is not much longer than that, even though there are really two of them (front straight, and back straight) and the track is about 2 miles overall. If I were less afraid of wrecking again and it wasn't my first real trackday I'd probably have been able to get it to 90-95 with a better exit from turn 14.

For reference, my best average speed was 56 mph which would give a lap time of a little over two minutes assuming the track is 2 miles. The record is around 1:15 but fast people on new 600s or literbikes usually do around 1:28-1:30. With a few more sessions I could probably get to 1:45 or 1:50...

That chicane looks tight. The slowest point at Jennings was still about 40 mph on my bike and probably close to 50-55 for better riders.

I do have some video (very unimpressive) that I will post soon.

[Keiran]

Hey thanks to the responses by all.

I've made sure that my petcock valve is flipped to on and not reserve, but the bike had paint a little whiel ago. Maybe when reassybling the bike they switched lines or something (I dunno if there are lines to switch)

And how can i tell if my bike is runnign rich? The only other mechanical experiance I have is from my 74 Bug (a good place to start =D), and pretty much the way I figured if it was rich or lean was if it was smoking. Anyy better signs on my Hawk?

And Finally, this is my commuter Bike and I really don't plan to ever see more then 80 on the rare occasion (I got up to 70 on my first freeway run today). As far as the previous Owner knows everythign is stock on my bike. What would be the best set for maximum mileage. I know a Jet kit would be good and making sure it's all in tune, maybe a differnt rear sprocket, ,maybe differnt AirBox? I'd liekt o keep the stock exhaust but if oen is better it may be worth lookign into.


Thanks guys,

Luke

[PaullyBoy]

I'm also a newby with a few minor mods to my hawk. I usually get right around 100 miles per tank. I set the trip meter and refuel around 85- 90 or so just to be safe. Kinda sucks on big group rides though.

[NT696]

If it runs at all, the gas lines are hooked up correct, nothing to get backwards really.
An easy way to get an idea about rich/lean is to look at a removed spark plug. There are two in each head like an airplane. Take one out from each head. A nice mocha color is a good burn. If its white its too lean, if its black or even black and wet, you are probably running too rich.

BTW: I get 200km (125 mi) per tank running #160main jets, pod filters, 153 cam, large intakes and #42 pilot jets, with a short exhaust. I almost always commute with it, cruising at 120km/hr (75mph) in 5th gear at 5000 rpm. The gearing is 16/42.