Triumphrat

UJMrider · 08-01-2005

Just wondering if what I experienced yesterday was likely the result of paint chips clogging up the gas lines.

Here's what happened: I rode back from Steamboat yesterday afternoon (because of prior commitments I couldn't stay the whole weekend), and because I was trying to beat the darkness back, I was pushing it, speed wise, the whole way. As a result my normal range of 160+ miles to reserve was somewhat shortened. Riding back along C-470 (beltway-type freeway that goes around Denver), the bike started to choke and cough at 142 miles. Figuring that it was just going onto reserve, I reached down and flipped the petcock onto the reserve position.

Fine and dandy, the bike perked back up, but then just a few seconds later, it started stumbling again, running rough and acting like it wasn't getting fuel. That continued for a few seconds but didn't improve, the stumbing got worse, so I rolled to the shoulder. There was a gas station at the next exit, about 1 1/2 miles ahead, and fortunately for me, this stretch of the highway has a long, gentle downward slope. So I clutched in and the engine immediately died. I kept rolling and tried to restart the engine a couple of times, but it just spun without catching. I shifted to neutral and switched off the ignition so it wouldn't drain the battery. Kept rolling probably another 3/4 of a mile or so, and by this time I was getting worried, because while I knew there was a gas station at the exit, the road between the bottom of the exit ramp and the gas station was a steep uphill grade, and I didn't relish pushing that 500+ lb bike!

Finally, thinking that maybe whatever was apparently clogging the gas line may have dislodged, I switched the ignition back on and tried the starter, and the bike fired up, much to my relief. I rode up to the gas station, filled the tank and switched back to the "on" position on the petcock, and rode home with no incident.

Does this sound like the "paint chips clogging the reserve fuel line" problem some people have mentioned? I do have noticeable flaking of paint on my tank, and I try to be very careful with it when I refuel.

Just one question, why is it only the reserve position that this happens to? I would think if something was clogging the fuel lines it would be the same whether it was main or reserve. Or is in that the paint, being heavier than gas, falls to the bottom of the tank and the intake for the main position is higher than the reserve?

Also, what's a good solution for the paint chipping? My bike's out of warranty, so I'm pretty much on my own to repair the cap. Is there a kind of lacquer I can put on there to stop the paint peeling?

PS: I met some Triumphrat.net folks at the rally and had a good time talking with them, and of course ogling the bikes!

[ This message was edited by: UJMrider on 2005-08-01 01:25 ]