New to Forum, Have questions about some problems.

[Floridamtbiker99]

I barter for my 1993 750cc Nighthawk.  I worked on a farm and tutor their grandson in math.   I got the bike for free, but it was setting in the Florida sun for 5 years. IT had bull horn handle bars. Tank re coated, replace turn signal lights with Leeds (just got load resistors), replace cabs for eBay($100), replace tires, brakes, rebuild front caliper, new chain, replaced my headlight with a more powerful one, rebuild peacock,  New Dunlap 505 tires, and other parts.   It has a corbin seat that is ripping apart, and winshield (I thought for wimps, but not, adds protection)

My car blow up (seized engine).  I now have to ride my Nighthawk to work and college average about 100 miles per day.

Since college started I put 5,000 miles on my bike since January.

My questions are the following:

1.   My motorcycle seem to be running out of gas at a half tank. I got some feed back from other websites such as peacock problems, fuel line problem, gas cap not venting (do not know how to fix that)?

2.  What is the best manufacture and model number of motorcycle tires to get more than 5,000 miles.
3.  Has anyone put full size sattle bags on their 1991 though 20 nighhak
4. Any and all suggestions or tips.








Best Regards,
Daniel P. Yoder

[Laminar]

My questions are the following:

1.   My motorcycle seem to be running out of gas at a half tank. I got some feed back from other websites such as peacock problems, fuel line problem, gas cap not venting (do not know how to fix that)?

How many miles are you able to travel before running out of gas? Is the petcock you purchased designed for a Nighthawk? Is the petcock in "normal" or "reserve" position? When you refill with gasoline, how much are you able to put into the tank?

2.  What is the best manufacture and model number of motorcycle tires to get more than 5,000 miles.

Check out this thread for a few recommendations. With motorcycles, you're often cursed with quick tire wear, especially the rear tires.

3.  Has anyone put full size sattle bags on their 1991 though 20 nighhak

Yes.



I'm sure some 750 owners will chime in, but there is little in the way of bolt-on hard bags.

[genespleen]

On No. 1, check the vacuum tube that connects to your petcock.  It should be snug on both ports, and should be kink-free.  For the vent problem, next time you run "out" of gas, open the gas cap, carefully listening for a "whoosh" signalling a low-pressure situation in the tank.  That would point to the gas-cap vent issue.

[coffee_brake]

This is going to be fun....

Many of us have gotten nearly 10,000 miles from the Bridgestone Battle Axe tires. Other tires are similar in mileage, there is no real difference among the quality tires available for the 750. If you want to get good miles from your tires, you should always be sure to put in the right amount of air. Usually the rear tire should have between 45-50 psi in it. If there is not enough air in the tire, it will wear out faster.

Your Nighthawk 750 should go at least 180 miles to a tank. We can talk more about fuel, but first, are you aware of the "reserve" function of your petcock? Are you using it? Nobody is talking down to you, we are just learning how much you know about motorcycles so we can help you better.

Laminar is right, the options for saddlebags are few. However, the 750 can carry a LOT of gear with a luggage rack.

[Floridamtbiker99]

Thank you for your replys so far, still need help.

1.  I rebuild the peacock, not bought are rebuilt one.  The pump is fine. I put a clean filter on the fuel line to see if gas is pumping, and added filter for the tank, (relined).

2.  I check my tires air pressure, I live in Florida.   I read that Dulaps 505 only get about 5,000 miles on rear tire.  I have to buy a new rear tire very soon.

3.  My motorscycle acts up around 60-70 miles (stalls, like running out of gas).  I jput the choke on, and open the gas cap.  Then it will start running again after the gas get back in the lines.     I tried this (maybe unsafe), while driving, about 65 miles I open gas cap, I do this every 5 miles.  Then I get to about 90 miles before it acts up again.   The reserve works fine.   

I believe it is a venting problem.  I took the gas cap off, took the plastic center thing out, poked a small hole in the plastic diaphram.   Still same problems.   I do not want to buy gas cap, ($80) and different key.

I diffinently need suggestions on this.   I would like to drive more than 60 miles and not stop for gas.

4.  How do you post pictures on here?

[windrider]

Who re coated the tank, with what?  Is the pick up in the tank blocked with the coating material?  How do you know reserve works?  When you stop at 90 miles for fuel, how much does it take to fill it up?  Sorry, you have to do a little more work and give us few more details.  You stated pump, is fine,    what pump????

[green427]

As for hard luggage....you are pretty much screwed. Most people who sell the Givi adapter for our bikes usually find out quickly how rare they are and ask outrageous prices ($250+).

You have a few options:

- Wait around for a Givi adapter kit to be available and pay $300, then order a Givi Wingrack plus hard luggage, which runs $400+, so you will be spending close to $1k.

- Make your own adapter kit or pay someone to fabricate the kit. Loki has a working template.

- Order the SW-Motech luggage rack for the EU Nighthawk, and fabricate a top mounting bracket like I did. Not recommended unless you have a bench drill, grinder, cutoff saw, and patience.

- Get a welder and make your own racks.

- Give up and just use soft bags.

[coffee_brake]

Perhaps your petcock is not quite right. I mean the screen that attaches to the petcock inside the tank. If this screen was not removed before the tank was lined, then it may have become clogged with the lining material so that fuel cannot get into the fuel line.

You can easily pull out this filter (gently, it is fragile!) from inside the tank. It should come out with your petcock. If it is clogged, you may just replace this filter, or, since you are using an in-line fuel filter, do without the tank filter.

It makes sense that your problem is either a clogged tank filter or the gas cap does not vent.

You can try this: have another key made for your Nighthawk (you should do this anyway, if you look around town you should find one for less than $10. My local shop makes them for $3.) Then at about 50 miles, open the tank with the extra key and keep riding without ever shutting off the bike. See if the problem continues. Then you will know if it is the gas cap or the tank filter.

[skramer360]

If you still have the in tank filter and an external filter, it might be starving for fuel at higher rpm where fuel demand is high.

[coffee_brake]

If you still have the in tank filter and an external filter, it might be starving for fuel at higher rpm where fuel demand is high.

Good point. If the fuel line filter is too small, it may not flow enough fuel...forgot about that...

[HawkFuzz]

Coffee has a good point.  The gas is gravity fed thru that filter and if it is too small it might not be letting enough  flow thru.  The other question is if the fuel filter is actually pointed down so that gravity can push the gas thru the filter.  If the filter is on it's side, the gas may not be flowing correctly and actually stopping in the filter.  If you coated the tank, you should be able to take the filter off.   Just fill at reputable gas stations. ie stay away from off brands and stations the do not appear to be well maintained.

[coffee_brake]

Crud can get in the gas from any station...believe me, I know....

A motorcycle needs some kind of filter, as long as it flows enough fuel.
The little teeny tiny ones for lawn mowers aren't enough, but anything the local motorcycle shop sells should be good for the Nighthawk....

[Laminar]

Does the 750 have a filter on top of the petcock like this?


That screen in good condition is all you need.
No need to wear two condoms...

[cmyers]

Does the 750 have a filter on top of the petcock like this?

It looks like the one on the right, and it is not the most durable item.


BTW: whats with the Birthday cake in all your post for multiple days? Are you needing a little more attention?

[hppants]

Welcome to the group, ride safe.

You are in good hands here.

I concur with Coffee Brake's reccommendation for the Bridgeston BT-45 tires.  Properly inflated, you should be able to get 8-9K out of the rear, 10-12K out of the front.  They are also the best value for the money IMO (mileage v/s cost).  Price them at:

www.motorcyclesuperstore.com.

Free shipping.

Good luck.

[Floridamtbiker99]

Thank you again.  First I did the key thing,  open the gas cap every 5 to 10 miles.  That gets to to about 90 miles.   I have bought a new fuel filter that goes in the tank when I rebuilt the peacock (fuel pump).  I just ordered Michelins PR3 for my bike, from the numerous websites.  They rate it number one.  I will let you know.  It runs fine at high rpm's  I ride home around 85 to 90 mph.   I am sure it is the vent.  How do I fix it?

[windrider]

I beg to differ, as I usually do.  That bike has a 4.73 gallon fuel tank, if it is a stock tank.  Being able to go 90 miles, even at 90 mph, should yield no less than 35 mpg.  That means you would have burned about 2.6 gallons, and no where near the 4 gallons in the main tank.  When you get to 90 miles what happens?   Are you stopping for fuel?  How much does it take?  Are you switching to reserve?  Are you having to push it?  Two more things, at 35 mpg, 4 gallon main tank equals 140 miles.  I  usually get better than 50 mpg, and have no problem seeing 200 miles on the main tank before switching to reserve.  I ride slower.  It is safer.

[cmyers]

  I ride slower.  It is safer.

You also dont ride on superslab highways here in Florida on days when 80 mph just keeps you from getting blown away. I have hit 85 even 90 mph at times in traffic and by no means was I leaving anyone behind (in some cases I was still being passed or tailgated by people waiting on me to get over).

my lowest MPG is around 35 mpg when commuting and "running hard" and I regularly reach 140 miles before going into reserve.

I do agree that he still has some other issue causing an problem with with fuel flow, and he still has not said how much fuel it is taking to fill up when he gets to 90 miles.

[Floridamtbiker99]

I have to go soon.   When I fill up the most it ever took was about 2.25 gals.   At 90 miles, I run out of gas.  Next week is spring break.  I have to fix couple of things. Turn signals, one trottle cable broke.   I really enjoy this bike, but it still needs some work.   Who cares, a free motorcycle.  I had to put around $600 in to.   I just order PR3 150/70/17 for the rear.

[cmyers]

well you are getting about 40 mpg, which is to about ride considering your speed.

So now we just need to figure what is stopping your fuel flow, The first suspect item to me would probably be the petcock or the fuel filter on top of the intake lines.