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Dumbest question ever.

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 1:25 pm
by jonnythan
Seriously.

How do you fill the gas tank? On my "new" Virago, there's no tube or anything that would do automatic cut-off when full, so do you just hang the gas pump inside the hole and let go when it's about full?

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 1:29 pm
by VermilionX
i used to just let the pump stop on its own but then i found out i could fit maybe a gallon more after that.

you should top it off all the time.

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 1:31 pm
by jonnythan
What makes the pump stop on its own? It's just a big hole, not a tube for the nozzle to fit in..

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 1:41 pm
by jmillheiser
you just have to eyeball it to make sure you dont overfill. bikes dont have the tube for the nozzle to go into. You just hold the nozzle in the hole and pump until it reaches the top. just pull the nozzle out a bit when it gets towards the top.

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 1:42 pm
by jonnythan
jmillheiser wrote:you just have to eyeball it to make sure you dont overfill. bikes dont have the tube for the nozzle to go into. You just hold the nozzle in the hole and pump until it reaches the top. just pull the nozzle out a bit when it gets towards the top.
:laughing:
That's what I thought. Thanks.

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:16 pm
by 1will
yes. just hold the end of the nozzle a little below the bottom of the inside of the rim and watch the level. at least on my bike the owners manual states not to allow the level to actually reach the point of the bottom lip of the rim of the hole, if that makes any sense.

also, i've heard it recommended to keep the nozzle in contact with the of the tank when filling to avoid a possible spark from the static electricity that occurs as a result of the fuel flowing through the hose and nozzle. putting aside any potential debate about upper explosive limits and vapor:air ratios inside a gas tank, it just sounds sensible so i do it.

who knew gassing up could be so complex...

oh and don't forget to switch your petcock from reserve back to on if you have one.

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:56 pm
by spinner
Yup, fill it up to the bottom lip. To answer what makes gas nozzles turn off; I *think* they have a sensor at the tip that can tell if its submerged (tank filled).

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:56 pm
by Wizzard
Don't know about anywhere else , but out here in Cali we got these damn rubber rain coat type hoses that cover the nozzle . I pull it up as far as I can manually and fill my tanks so that I can see where the level is .
Works for me .
Regards, Wizzard

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 3:01 pm
by DirtyD86
gotta do it by eye ;)

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 3:03 pm
by sharpmagna
Don't fill it too far up the filler neck though or you might have gas spewing out the key hole in your gas tank :laughing: :shock: