Gas Line Problem

[noobie]

Hi all, normally I would just take my bike into the shop when I have a problem, but it's a two week wait and I'm leaving for a short jaunt on the bike next week.
Here's my problem: I have a 3 gallon tank and my bike runs out of gas after like 50 miles - then when I go to fill it up, it only needs one gallon. So, why does it run out of gas when it still has two gallons in it?
P.S. I've never worked on my bike - I leave it to the pro's. But, if it's something simple like a fuel filter - it'd try it.
P.S.S. The bike is a 2009 Honda Shadow 750.

Thank in advance
Noobie

[dr_bar]

Vapor lock? Vent might be plugged... Maybe that young squirt Wrider will come and say something...

[HYPERR]

I have a 3 gallon tank and my bike runs out of gas after like 50 miles - then when I go to fill it up

How are you getting the bike to the gas station? Are you getting it to start back up?

[Wrider]

Hey, I'm not that... *looks at who posted the comment* ok fine you geezer! lol

Anyway yeah what exactly is going on with it? Are you actually running out of gas or is your fuel gauge just saying you're running out? If it's just your fuel gauge, they're pretty inaccurate on small tanks like this, and chances are that yours somehow bent the float rod that tells it where the fuel level actually is, or it's a fuel sender problem with voltages and resistances being off.

[pchast]

Hmm,

It happened to me when the Vacuum line to the fuel valve was partially plugged. Less pressure in the gas tank would not pass the valve. Cleaned out the valve and replaced vac line. It now demands 2.5 gal when empty instead of 1.2....
go figure.....

Pete

[noobie]

Hi all,
the bike actually runs out and i have to reach down and switch to reserve. There is no fuel gauge - i go by mileage.
Hmmm, sounds like it might be a plugged fuel valve - it's not hot enough here in Seattle for vapor lock (i wish).

Thanks all,
Noobie

[dr_bar]

If you open your tank, is there a sucking sound of air entering the tank??? (After you "run out")

[Wrider]

I'm thinking it could be a partially clogged in-tank fuel filter. Usually on petcocks with "on" and "reserve" positions, there are two pipes or straws sticking up into the tank. The "on" one is longer so when it runs out you still have a little left on the "reserve" one before it can't get any either, and they usually have a fine screen mesh on them to keep from sucking anything through.
What could happen is that your "on" filter is a bit clogged, but only enough so that lack of fuel pressure on the hose doesn't allow it to filter through.
It's a fairly easy and relatively quick fix if that's the problem.
If I were you the next time I went to reserve I'd look into the tank and see where the level of fuel is, and if it's still pretty full I'd see if you could ride it the extra 100 miles you should be getting out of it.