Does an 86 vt1100 have a fuel reserve position?

[tomshell]

The gas guage is completely worthless. At around 85 miles it still shows full, and around 100 1/4 tank. I ran it 130 miles the other day, and added 3.4 gallons. Is there any type of reserve? Maybe behind the left side cover, or is that just off? What kind of range do you guys get?

[e5dab]

I too have an '86 VT1100
No it doesn't have a reserve.
It has two fuel tanks, the main where you put the fuel in and another under the seat, essentially.
When I changed the air filter I noticed how it was setup.
I also found out, the hard way, that there is one large main hose that feeds from the top tank to the bottom, then a smaller one.
The small one is on the right side of the tank (as you sit on it).
How I found out it was a fuel hose is it ripped when I had the main tank proped up to change the air filter.
What I have assessed is that the larger hose feeds the smaller tank and the smaller hose is basically the reserve.
I experience the same thing with the fuel gauge.
It doesn't work like a car, it will show full for the longest time, then it will seem to drop rapidly after that.
I usually put fuel in when it's around the E, but I pushed it the last time & found that it will drop well past E when you are down to below a 1/2 gallon.

Before having the jet kit put in I was getting around the same that you seem to be, about 110 miles or so to 2.8 gallons.
Now I'm getting more like 80 - 90 miles to 2.8 gallons (that always seems to be how much it takes when I fill it).

I'm going to ride it through another tank and see how it does, but most likely it's going to back for another adjustment on the carbs, which will, hopefully, improve the mileage.

If you find out something different on the reserve let me know, but I have yet to find one.
BTW, the fuel shut off valve is behind the left cover, if you need it for some reason.

I have the Clymer's manual for it if you need some assistance with something. I can scan pages in and send them to you, just PM me.

[tomshell]

Originally Posted by e5dab

I too have an '86 VT1100
No it doesn't have a reserve.
It has two fuel tanks, the main where you put the fuel in and another under the seat, essentially.
When I changed the air filter I noticed how it was setup.
I also found out, the hard way, that there is one large main hose that feeds from the top tank to the bottom, then a smaller one.
The small one is on the right side of the tank (as you sit on it).
How I found out it was a fuel hose is it ripped when I had the main tank proped up to change the air filter.
What I have assessed is that the larger hose feeds the smaller tank and the smaller hose is basically the reserve.
I experience the same thing with the fuel gauge.
It doesn't work like a car, it will show full for the longest time, then it will seem to drop rapidly after that.
I usually put fuel in when it's around the E, but I pushed it the last time & found that it will drop well past E when you are down to below a 1/2 gallon.

Before having the jet kit put in I was getting around the same that you seem to be, about 110 miles or so to 2.8 gallons.
Now I'm getting more like 80 - 90 miles to 2.8 gallons (that always seems to be how much it takes when I fill it).

I'm going to ride it through another tank and see how it does, but most likely it's going to back for another adjustment on the carbs, which will, hopefully, improve the mileage.

If you find out something different on the reserve let me know, but I have yet to find one.
BTW, the fuel shut off valve is behind the left cover, if you need it for some reason.

I have the Clymer's manual for it if you need some assistance with something. I can scan pages in and send them to you, just PM me.

Another 86, and in Tucson! It looks like you and I are about the same age(45) My girlfriend loves to ride too, and she lives in Casa Grande. Maybe we will head south and meet up sometime for a ride....Thanks for the info. Tom

[e5dab]

OH! HaHa I didn't even notice where you live, I was focused on the question.

My wife likes to ride as well, we just don't get much of a chance to.
With the weather cooling, I think we'll be making more time to get out there.

Lemme know and we'll see what we can work out.

[callmeal]

The gauge works the same way on my 85 Shadow; it stays above full for 80 miles and is on E at 120 miles. If I fill up when it is on E, it takes a little less than three gallons. The most I have put in is 4.05 gallons and it was still running when I made it to the gas pumps. I seldom ride more than 140 miles between gas stops.