Triumphrat

gt1jimi

I have always wondered just how much gas hides in the lower right section; you know, the part that hangs below the tunnel and doesn't ever get to the other side where the petcock is. Tonight, I found out.

I am having some painting done on my scrambler's fenders (a red stripe with gold trim to match the tank) and I thought that having the tank on hand would help the painter match the red color as well as the width of the gold pinstripe. Then I realized that this would be the perfect opportunity to see just how much gas is hiding over there.

I pulled off the tank and carefully placed it on a work table (outside, of course). At no time did it ever tip the tank off level (this is important, I think). I opened the petcock and drained the tank into a gas can: first the main and then the reserve. Then, I tipped the tank slowly onto its left side, letting the hidden gas run to the left side. I set it back on the work table and opened the petcock, this time draining it into a graduated cup and carefully noting the amount. And the answer is: 42 ounces.

What this means is that if anyone of us is riding and runs out the main and reserve tanks, there is still almost 2 1/2 pints of gas left. All we have to do is tip the bike all the way over on it's left side and let the 'secret' gas run to the petcock. Now I see why Triumph put the pipes on the right side of the Scrambler: they didn't want us to scratch them trying to get to that last little bit of fuel. Seriously, at 40 mpg, it would gain an additional 13 miles, which may make a difference, if not between life and death, then at least between being stuck and looking stupid, and making it home and looking smart like MacGyver.

By the way, in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything is also '42'. Coincidence? I doubt it.

6t

Someday I expect that I will be thankful that I read that.
I knew that there was something there but 42 oz ?
Thanks.

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2002 T100 Anniversary. Lucifer Orange, "Scrambled"
Race Tech frt springs & emulators. Ikon rears, bar risers, various Scrambler parts, speedo in headlamp.

BishRat

Thank you... it's a question that I've been wondering about as well. I wouldn't say it's been keeping me awake at nights, but it's good to know.

I wonder how much would be left in there under normal riding conditions... just regular riding and braking. I'm sure the fuel would slosh around a fair bit, washing over the central spine to a certain extent. When I first got the Thrux I was puzzled by the fact that there wasn't a tube connecting the two halves. It's been a while since I'd bought a bike, but I certainly remember having to raise the back of the tank, disconnect the pipe, raise it over the spine and then reconnect the pipe prior to complete tank removal.

Anyway, what we need is for someone to run the tank dry under normal conditions, and then carry out the measurements... any volunteers?

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Cheers... Bish
'06 Black & check Thruxton - AI & airbox gone, TORs, instruments lowered, YSS piggybacks, prog fork springs, gaiters, kneepads, rear fender bobbed, lucas rear light, Napoleons, custom blue/chrome headers, and a little duct tape...

dave1068

I tried a similar thing in the summer. I had always done between 170-180 refueling (reserve at 140-160) so I wanted to see how far I could push it. I literally ran out of gas at 200 miles while turning into my street.

Bear in mind, most of the riding was done on the freeway at 60-80mph. I dont recomemmend this but I know i averaged about 180 per tank.

When i did refuel at 200 miles, I think it was about 4 gallons. Still leaving the tank with 4/10 of a gallon. Im surprised T never addressed this issue as it seems to be a major complaint among owners

YMMV...

dave-

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RonD

gt-thanks that is a very handy piece of information, dont suppose you did a test to see how much fuel the reseve portion of the tank actually holds.

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KingBear

Leaning your bike as far to the left as possible when fuel is running low is a technique commonly used by experienced riders. You'll even see racers wobbling their bikes trying to eek out the last bit of fuel before running out. I've done it myself but still managed to come up half a mile short of home.

There's really no way to squeeze every drop of fuel out of any tank that straddles a frame, unless of course a second tap is installed on the right side. You're just going to have to know your bike and use the trip odometer as a gas gauge to prevent getting yourself stranded.

ohiorider

So that's why the old R100GS has a petcock on the right and left side! Thanks for the info regarding the 'usused' fuel in the right side of the Triumph tank. That'll come in handy one of these times.

Bob

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2003 T100 (790cc) Lucifer Org and Silv: 122/42 jets, TORs, 17T, UNI filter, no AI, Polaris bellmouth, Metzeler ME880 tires, Progressive 440 shocks (105/150 springs),11-1126 fork springs, gaiters, MotoTwin low bars, 6024 lamp, htd grips, 12v outlet.

gt1jimi

No, I didn't think of it. Possibly during the next big rain storm?

Loxpump

I have an old CB350 Honda in pieces in the garage and it's tank has the rubber hose connecting the right side to the left side. It's just a little bent tube welded to the tank that the rubber hose attaches to. Drains the tank from both sides. Future mod?

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BillTheCat

this works!....We had one of those nice winter days 45* so I went for a ride
I had the petcock set on reserve by mistake and ran out of fuel on the interstate miles from a station. When I got off the rode I leaned the bike over
to the left and captured enough gas to make it back home approx.5mi. without a sputter.

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