Silly CB550 Fuel Question

[injuredcyclist]

Hi,

I bought my first motorcycle a couple days ago, an '83 CB550, with 31k miles (no owner's manual  ).  When I'm not stalling it on hills or at stop lights or, most evil of all, at stop lights on hills, the bike runs great.  I have a silly question though.  I don't see a fuel gauge or low fuel light on the instrument panel.  Is there any way of knowing, besides the bike coughing and dying, that I'm about to run out of gas?

Thanks!

[Brittles]

 

Your fuel petcock has a "reserve" setting. Make sure the petcock is set to "on". When it starts to sputter you reach down and turn the petcock to 'reserve". Now it's time to look for a gas station. You can generally go about 30 miles on "reserve". Once you know your bike better you'll pretty much know when it's time to gas up before it gets to "reserve".

[windrider]

Fill the bike up and reset the trip odometer.  Then when it runs out, and you switch to reserve, you will get an idea as to when you need gas.

TWO other notes for new and old riders: Practice switching to reserve while going down the highway. Learn where to reach for the petcock without without having to look for it.  Also, if you are getting close to switching to reserve, and driving in stop and go traffic, switch to reserve a little early.  Nothing worse than having your bike die just as you are pulling away from a stop light, especially if trying to turn. 

[Munkey]

Fill the bike up and reset the trip odometer.  Then when it runs out, and you switch to reserve, you will get an idea as to when you need gas.

 

+1

You'll learn to use your tripmeter as your fuel gauge. The hard part is remembering to reset it when you fill up.