not getting gas @ 3/4 tank

[free2ride]

2nd time this has happened: know there is plenty -- at least some -- gas so not too worried. riding along, the hiccups and burps come, so flip over to reserve. no difference.

this morning was able to coast into a gas station and filled up: took 13 litres to fill on the 20 litre tank.

suggestions? what's clogged?

[Maz]

The fuel tap (petcock) needs stripping and cleaning. Sounds like the reserve path for the fuel is blocked by  crud or the rubber washer inside the tap has broken up/swollen.

Maz

[free2ride]

Maz wrote

The fuel tap (petcock) needs stripping and cleaning. Sounds like the reserve path for the fuel is blocked by  crud or the rubber washer inside the tap has broken up/swollen.

Maz

I thought it must be crud in the tank. you know, something easy [hopefully] that I was unnecessarily panicked over.

[Re-run]

While checking the petcock, you may as well clean the vent in the fuel cap. That vent allows air in to prevent a vacuum in the tank. If this thing plugs it will not allow enough air in, or none at all, and then after a bit the vacuum builds and prevent fuel from flowing properly.

This has stumped a number of people over time. You might not have that issue, but call it preventative maintenance so it doesn't happen later.

[free2ride]

so I'm looking at taking the tank off? may as well get the thing repainted while it's in storage then.

yup --or nope -- I may as well be a newbie for all work I do to the thing -- anything more than replace the battery or an oil change I take it in. of course, the fact that my garage is filled with my wife's day care supplies does mean I don't have much of a place to work on the thing -- and she won't allow it into the living room.

[Re-run]

Neither job requires taking the tank off.You should be able to just drain the fuel into a gas can or anything that will hold gas. the petcock just needs a wrench to unscrew it. then it just pulls out.

The vent is in the gas cap. You will see a little hole there. Basically remove the rubber ring and soak it in carb cleaner for a bit and use compressed air to blow it out. In most cases, that is all that is needed.

Don't worry, you got this. The petcock is very simple to work with, as you will see as soon as you remove it.