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06-26-2016, 05:38 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Tennessee
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Gas tank or gas gauge?
Just bought my bike, a 2007 Vulcan 1600 Nomad, last weekend and rode it about 100 miles and was down to one bar on the gas gauge, filled it up and it only took 2.7 gallons. Today I let the tank go down until the fuel light came on,119.6 miles. Filled it up and it only took 3.2 gallons. Am I being stupid or missing something simple or does it sound like I may have a problem. Appreciate any and all advice.
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Jims Bike MSgt, USAF Retired/Log Cabin sales 2007 Vulcan 1600 Nomad "Gettin There" Login or Register to Remove Ads
Last edited by Jim1955; 06-27-2016 at 10:02 PM.
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06-26-2016, 05:41 PM | #2 |
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What model of bike do you have? IIRC, 1500's had a smaller tank than the 1600's. The gas gauges on these bikes are notoriously inaccurate. You'll learn how many miles to a tank and then watch your mileage for fill ups.
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06-26-2016, 06:01 PM | #3 |
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Sorry, it's a 2007 Vulcan 1600 Nomad
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06-26-2016, 07:23 PM | #4 |
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Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada
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Use the tripmeter for more accurate readings. You should get about 200 miles to the tank most times.
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06-26-2016, 08:34 PM | #5 |
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My friend with a 2007 nomad starts.looking for a gas station at 150 miles
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06-26-2016, 08:48 PM | #6 |
Join Date: Oct 2012
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My 2008 has a 5.3 gallon tank (same as yours).i average 36 mpg and I like to leave about 3/4 of a tank to make sure the fuel pump stays cool. So 4.5 x 36 = 162 until you know your bike is start look for gas station about 145 or so.
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06-26-2016, 09:07 PM | #7 |
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So I gather from these comments that my bike is normal, the gauge and the light can't be relied on, just ride roughly 145 miles and then fill up.
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06-26-2016, 10:51 PM | #8 |
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Piedmont OK
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I'd do 120 a couple of times and check your mileage then you should know what your bike will do.
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David (Framer) Marang 2018 Harley Davidson Ultra Limited VBA#02245 VROC#35311 2013 Antlers 2014 Mountain View 2014 Antlers 2015 Eureka Springs 2015 Antlers 2016 Salem 2016 Antlers 2017 Eureka Springs 2017 Lake George 2017 Antlers 2018 Custer |
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06-26-2016, 11:27 PM | #9 |
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I also have an 07 Nomad 1600 -- mileage varies greatly depending upon conditions... Head/tail wind, highway speeds 55, 65, 75, etc., load weight, 1up, 2up, etc... and how heavy you ride the throttle. Get to know your bike. Take an extra gallon with you and ride differently for a few tanks & see where your cut off point is. That'll tell you when to start paying attention on longer rides without having to worry about running dry. Enjoy the bike!
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06-27-2016, 08:48 AM | #10 | |
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Quote:
My 05 1500 Classic has the analog gauge. It doesn't budge off of the full mark until I've racked off 75-80 miles. One time I topped 100 before it moved. Just that one time though. Each and every other time it begins falling after I've hit the 80 mile mark. Though not balls-on accurate, it is consistent. The low fuel light comes on with pretty much the same amount remaining in the tank. The miles I've ridden when it comes on gives me an idea of the MPGs I'm getting. If it comes on and I'm less than 120 miles, I know I'm down in the 30s for MPGs. Based upon having approx 2 gallons remaining when it does come on, I deduce I have 30 to maybe 40 miles to find petrol. If the light comes on around 140-150 or so, I'm getting well into the 40s for MPGs and I have a little more cushion before needing to fill up. I subscribe to the philosophy mentioned above. I prefer to not run too far into that last remaining gallon. We gots to keep that fuel pump immersed. Plus, I personally don't really know how much of that last gallon can be used. It would be interesting to hear from someone who has sputtered to a cold hard stop. I wonder how much is sloshing around in the tank when the pump can pump no more?
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Last edited by VulcanJeff; 06-27-2016 at 08:52 AM.
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06-27-2016, 10:04 PM | #11 |
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Thanks for the advice. From what I'm hearing everybody has a way to calculate and estimate mileage and fuel remaining, as I have and again I appreciate all the help and advice. But I haven't heard anyone say they had the gauge or light looked into as far as getting them fixed. Does this mean it's not worth the trouble or the money, or that it can't be fixed and just continue as we have been?
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Jims Bike MSgt, USAF Retired/Log Cabin sales 2007 Vulcan 1600 Nomad "Gettin There"
Last edited by Jim1955; 07-03-2016 at 08:45 PM.
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