Triumphrat

Rincewind

The one thing that gripes me about my Tbird is the limited range. I typically only get 100-120 miles until reserve (33-40 mpg US).

I ran into one of our Classics forum members, Awgee68, at a local meet and I discussed this with him (nice meeting you, by the way). He said that he once got crappy mileage and fixed it by cleaning his petcock. So, I removed the petcock, and sure enough there was a fine bit of sand-like gunk around the lower filter. The upper filter looked fine. I was glad to clean that out, and I have noticed a very slight (5-10 mile) increase in my tank range to reserve, but it's still most often around 35mpg.

Awhile back I made a 1" hole in either peashooter; however, that didn't effect my mileage noticeably. I later adjusted my carb screws in 1 rotation, which should be about 2 turns out in total. But I'm still getting the same type of range.

There is a soft, slicing knife-like sound of the pads when I spin the rear wheel, but to me that seems normal... Are there any other mechanical issues to examine that may be effecting my mileage? I understand that many Classics riders are getting closer to 50 mpg.

I do realize mileage is a result of how you ride the bike. I get my best mileage (40mpg) when I'm in 6th gear most of the time. However, much of my riding is commuting and backroads, and there I am a bit free with the throttle. Do the Classics riders that get 50mpg short-shift most of the time and ride very sedately? I'd appreciate any feedback.

Thanks for your time.

[ This message was edited by: Rincewind on 2006-05-04 20:18 ]

Rincewind

I suppose I could change my sprockets, right? But I wonder if I would lose some performance that way...

UJMrider

How fast do you ride? I find that if I'm on the interstate, dealing with all the traffic and trying to stay as far away from it as possible, I'm typically cruising at between 70-85mph. This reduces my range to about 130 miles to reserve (though I once hit reserve at 92 miles! However, I was running 92 octane in the mistaken belief that it was "better", I was riding at 8000'+ altitude, and I was cruising at 85-90mph, so that explains why.)

When I'm on 2-lane roads and cruising at 55-60 I typically get over 150 and I've gone as far as 180 miles before hitting reserve (around 55 mpg.) So, I think it largely depends on how you ride. The harder and faster you ride, the more fun you have but gas mileage drops precipitously after about 60mph.

BTW, I'm glad to hear that you, too, feel that "dragging" of the rear brake. Either that means it's normal or that both of our bikes have the same problem. When my bike goes in for its 24,000 mile service (probably next month), I'll ask them about it.

[ This message was edited by: UJMrider on 2006-05-04 20:23 ]

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Martin

"They were long and low and sleek and fast, they were classic, in a word/Back in '55 we were Makin' Thunderbirds" - Bob Seger

Rincewind

It depends on the traffic and conditions as to how fast I ride. I'd say I'm usually in the 60-85mph range.

I'm sure it's just like those mpg charts you see for cars, where they show how much you could save if you did 55mph vs. 70mph. But even with more sedate riding, I have never gotten anywhere near 180 miles. I'm envious of your 55mpg, Martin.

jimmyj900

Well, there are a bunch of factors in miles per gallon. Aerodynamics, speeds, stop and go traffic, etc. all have an effect but I'd ask who's getting 50mpg and where do they live?

Here in the US we have 'magic environment-saving' fuel mixtures -- some 50+ variations are made here for different locations -- and all of those magic mixtures reduce gas mileage.

That's the dirty little secret behind 'clean' gasoline -- that the additives do not produce as much energy as the gasoline they replace so you're burning more fuel than you would otherwise -- and one of the reasons why we consume so much oil in the USA.

Think about it -- replacing 15% of the gasoline with ethanol to make 'E85' and 'reduce our imports with renewable resources' can cost 20% of your fuel mileage so you're burning more fuel and creating more greenhouse carbon dioxide to go a shorter distance!

It's a good deal all around! The politicians buy votes from the ignorant environmentalists and rake in more tax money, the oil companies have increased sales, the local politicos buy votes from the farmers growing corn for ethanol, and the consumers (us) get screwed. Of course, when we get screwed at the gas pump we complain to the politicians who make a few meaningless gestures (windfall taxes, congressional hearings, promises of more ethanol production, etc.) and everybody's happy! :-D

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Folks sometimes suggest that I might be a bit too cynical... ya think so?

Jim

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Wombat

I commute on my TBS and most of it is freeway and traffic, but I have always gotten 50-52 mpg.

I do not ride hard ( I have been called a 'Wimp on the throttle') and the TBS is basically stock, the only mods being drilled pipes and a cafe screen.

I always fill up at around 150 -170 miles and NEVER hit reserve.

I dont ride the TBS as much as I did B.U. (before Ural) and the gas here has now been changed to E10, so it will be interesting to see what transpires in the future.

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Bob

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fbird

My 99 TBS gets me typically around 46mpg and around 150 miles before hitting the reserve. I've changed my gearing to 17/45, swiss cheesed my airbox, put in k&n filter, added some emgo reverse cones. Jetting is currently at 42 pilots/132 mains.
I like to ride fast and rev the motor out frequently. Think the worst I've ever managed to get is around 40mpg and that was with 140 main jets.

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99TBS and 2000 Sprint ST

Slinky

There does seem to be a lot of variation. I filled up yesterday at 195 miles with a little to spare.

Most of the last tank was used on commuting, but that includes up to 80 in places. Best I ever saw on pleasure riding was 215 miles.

We don't get added ethanol (yet) so maybe Jimmy has a point.

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"You can't fly with the eagles if you keep scratching with the turkeys."

cully

Since I had my TBS in January I've used it to and from work a distance of about 12 miles and i get 42-45 mpg(uk gallons). Last weekend was the first time the wife went for a weekend away and the distance we covered was 84 miles, all motorway (M5 for uk readers) and we doing 70-80 mph except where there was roadwork at Bristol with 40 mph restrictions the mpg worked out to be 54mpg. On the way back we had rain showers and it was damp so I kept it at 65-70 and got 60mpg. I thought this was high mpg and asked a mate at work and he said i got more mpg cos it was damp, engines love damp air. So I think it all depends where you live, my Ex forces Armstrong certainly enjoys damp conditions.

ATB ride safe

Phil (cully)

Rincewind

It sounds like most people are getting a fair bit better mileage than me, even the ham-fisted ones.. This leads me to think maybe it's a mechanical issue of one sort or another. Anyone have any input as to what could be degrading my mileage, besides riding hard and crazy politicians diluting my gas?