Post by bobh on Aug 20, 2008 20:27:41 GMT
Don’t trust that fuel light, as the following cautionary tale goes to prove.
Collect silencer from Eastleigh (many thanks, Trev) on Sunday afternoon. Nice dry run home via Winchester and Andover. Low fuel light comes on going down steep hill shortly before I get home. Local garage closed so make mental note to fill up tomorrow. Promptly forget, but no problem, light will remind me next time I go out.
Monday, phone Mike Wheelers in Witney to arrange MoT. “Can you make tomorrow morning?” “Of course,” says I. Rush out and fit “new” silencer, run engine briefly to check all OK. Weather deteriorates so don’t take bike out for a spin.
Set off Tuesday morning to Witney. Halfway there remember fuel is low, but no problem, fuel light isn’t even on yet so there must be plenty left. Decide to fill up after test so bike won’t be too much of a handful for mechanic to wheel in and out of workshop (aren’t I the considerate one?)
Collect bike and shiny new MoT, jump on and head off home. Leave Witney by a different route due to road closure in centre, so don’t pass petrol station, but light still not on so that’s OK then. Light finally comes on again after a couple of miles – no worries, fill up in Faringdon, about 8 miles.
Just beyond Bampton, with no prior warning, road closed. Divert through Black Bourton - should only add a couple of miles. Exit onto main road, no left turn, that road’s closed as well. Turn right through Alvescot then left towards Filkins to pick up main road to Lechlade. Have now done about 10 miles since light came on, with another 10 or so to the next petrol station, so should still make it.
Two miles north of Lechlade, on blind left-hand curve, engine starts to lose power, then dies. Oh **!!! Try to lean bike and shake it to get more petrol into carbs but no joy – no sloshing sounds in the tank and only frantic ticking from the petrol pump. Push bike 200 metres into layby, being hooted at by white van men and cement mixer lorries screaming past at illegal speeds – this stretch has 50 limit. Phone ever-helpful neighbour who comes to rescue with £5-worth in a can.
I calculate that the mileage from the light first coming on on Sunday to running out of petrol was about 35, equivalent to about 3 litres. The book says “reserve” is 5 litres. Why the light didn’t come on again straight away when I set off on Tuesday morning I have no idea.
For info, I filled up in Faringdon, about 8 miles after the involuntary stop, and it took 18.19 litres. Added to the £5-worth (4.47 litres) from the can and the estimated 0.67 litre to do those 8 miles adds up to 23.33 litres, so maybe there was a bit more lurking in the tank somewhere. And for further info, consumption since the previous time the tank was brimmed works out at exactly 54 m.p.g., covering most types of going except slow town work.
You have been warned!
Collect silencer from Eastleigh (many thanks, Trev) on Sunday afternoon. Nice dry run home via Winchester and Andover. Low fuel light comes on going down steep hill shortly before I get home. Local garage closed so make mental note to fill up tomorrow. Promptly forget, but no problem, light will remind me next time I go out.
Monday, phone Mike Wheelers in Witney to arrange MoT. “Can you make tomorrow morning?” “Of course,” says I. Rush out and fit “new” silencer, run engine briefly to check all OK. Weather deteriorates so don’t take bike out for a spin.
Set off Tuesday morning to Witney. Halfway there remember fuel is low, but no problem, fuel light isn’t even on yet so there must be plenty left. Decide to fill up after test so bike won’t be too much of a handful for mechanic to wheel in and out of workshop (aren’t I the considerate one?)
Collect bike and shiny new MoT, jump on and head off home. Leave Witney by a different route due to road closure in centre, so don’t pass petrol station, but light still not on so that’s OK then. Light finally comes on again after a couple of miles – no worries, fill up in Faringdon, about 8 miles.
Just beyond Bampton, with no prior warning, road closed. Divert through Black Bourton - should only add a couple of miles. Exit onto main road, no left turn, that road’s closed as well. Turn right through Alvescot then left towards Filkins to pick up main road to Lechlade. Have now done about 10 miles since light came on, with another 10 or so to the next petrol station, so should still make it.
Two miles north of Lechlade, on blind left-hand curve, engine starts to lose power, then dies. Oh **!!! Try to lean bike and shake it to get more petrol into carbs but no joy – no sloshing sounds in the tank and only frantic ticking from the petrol pump. Push bike 200 metres into layby, being hooted at by white van men and cement mixer lorries screaming past at illegal speeds – this stretch has 50 limit. Phone ever-helpful neighbour who comes to rescue with £5-worth in a can.
I calculate that the mileage from the light first coming on on Sunday to running out of petrol was about 35, equivalent to about 3 litres. The book says “reserve” is 5 litres. Why the light didn’t come on again straight away when I set off on Tuesday morning I have no idea.
For info, I filled up in Faringdon, about 8 miles after the involuntary stop, and it took 18.19 litres. Added to the £5-worth (4.47 litres) from the can and the estimated 0.67 litre to do those 8 miles adds up to 23.33 litres, so maybe there was a bit more lurking in the tank somewhere. And for further info, consumption since the previous time the tank was brimmed works out at exactly 54 m.p.g., covering most types of going except slow town work.
You have been warned!
