Lay the bike down to extend its range

[Eurostar]

Apologies if you all know this one but I couldn't find it by searching so here goes:

When you run out of gas there is still a fair bit left in the tank that the fuel pump can't get at. So unless you enjoy pushing, lie the bike down on its right side (i.e. the side where your right hand and foot go.) The fuel pump is low down in the right half of the tank and this moves some fuel over from the left half. If you're really desperate, find a slope or a kerb and use it to push the bike beyond the horizontal.

For some reason this works much better on an 1100 - giving you another 20 miles or more - than it does on an 1150, where you might get only 2 or 3. But sometimes that's all you need! I've done it a dozen times or more and it's amazing how quickly people stop to help, thinking you've dropped the bike, even in every-man-for-himself London. There's one despatch rider out there who's stopped to help me twice!

Of course you will collect the odd scratch and maybe twist your handlebars or controls a touch. But if you're used to dropping the bike into ditches and hedges it's far too late to worry about that.

Laying the bike down gently and picking it up again is easy and doesn't require superhuman strength if you use the right technique...but I expect you all know this already?

 

[Timolgra]

Classic

 

[Cheesy Mike]

That explains Tuesday night. After a 30 minute motorway run home from the Air Balloon I had the fuel light on with zero bars on the gauge. I pulled off the motorway, went around a couple of roundabouts then headed off into Bristol to find a garage. When I looked I had 2 bars and the light was off. I managed the 25 miles home from there without filling up. It must have been the almost knee down way(actually probably no where near!) that I did a long right hander around one of the roundabouts. It fits perfectly with your explanation.

Mike

 

[Steve]

Stoppies have a similar result....

 

[Eurostar]

I just wish my 1150 would use a bit more of its fuel. I once managed to get just over 25 litres into my 1100, but even after lying the 1150 down I'm lucky to get much more than 22 in it. I've asked one or two boffins whether there's any way to remedy this with an extra fuel hose or something but apparently not. Looking forward to getting a Touratech monster tank.

 

[MikeO]

I've asked one or two boffins whether there's any way to remedy this with an extra fuel hose or something but apparently not.

Eurostar,

Have a look at this . It may be what you're looking for....

Mike

 

[BiG DoM]

Yeah done it a couple of times myself and surprising how much sits in the other lobe!

Further notes:

This does not apply to the Adventure as it has a cross-over pipe.

Standard GS owners can fit a 'SyphonSucker' that also fixes this - do a search on the AdvRider site.

Do not try and start the bike relentlessly if empty - this will definately and quickly POKE the petrol pump which needs to be wet and lubricated to work. An expensive replacement item.

To get those extra litres in the GS tank (mine took 27.6 litres from complete empty after this mod)... remove filler funnel from tank - undo allens and lift off silver lockable cap, carefully
pull out bronzed funnel and attached pipes... hold to one side and place cushioning below, cover filler hole too. NOW take 6-8mm drill bit and drill a hole inside the filler funnel approximately 15mm below top edge (position is not vital but did mine in forward facing position). Next time you fill allow air to escape when reaching top cap position (through new hole)... rocking scoot slightly... measure new capacity!

 

[guitarman]

Stoppies have a similar result....

Not with ABS they don't

Cheers

Dick

 

[Burfcontrol]

Word of caution

Read this with interest, also saw earlier threads about how to pick bike up again and a couple of american birds who go around laying a gold wing down to show how easy they are to pick up (the wing not the birds!!) Anyway my point is make sure you check the battery doesn't leak when the bikes laid over. A friend at work dropped an 1100RS on the drive, picked it up and thought no more of it. A couple of weeks later noticed major corrosion on metal parts due to battery fluid which had spilled out when the bike went down.

 

[ricky]

If you have almost run out of petrol a dozen times and have had to tip the bike over, then wouldn't it be a lot easier just to fill it up slightly more often? Maybe you like the exercise!

Rick

 

[Possu]

I just wish my 1150 would use a bit more of its fuel. I once managed to get just over 25 litres into my 1100, but even after lying the 1150 down I'm lucky to get much more than 22 in it. I've asked one or two boffins whether there's any way to remedy this with an extra fuel hose or something but apparently not. Looking forward to getting a Touratech monster tank.

The 1100GS plastic tank had a 24 litre capacity unlike the metal 1100/1150GS tanks which hold 22 litres.

Drilling the filler neck is the way to go, regardless of the tank as it can extend tank capacity by 2 litres or so. I've managed to squeeze 32 litres in to a GSA tank.

 

[Beemer]

Laying the bike down gently and picking it up again is easy and doesn't require superhuman strength if you use the right technique...but I expect you all know this already?

Had heard there is a technique but have no idea what it is. Could someone enlighten me please?

Cheers
Steve

 

[KOTM]

I have done similar and got another 15 miles out of an 'empty tank. Didnt put bike on floor but just used the allen key under the seat to undo the bolt at the rear of the tank. Lift off tank, tilt to side, install tank. Easier than lying bike onto the deck when on hard shoulder of M4.

 

[Taff]

Had heard there is a technique but have no idea what it is. Could someone enlighten me please?

This was posted on here a few weeks ago. Enjoy.

http://www.ibmwr.org/otech/pickup.html

 

[Beemer]

This was posted on here a few weeks ago. Enjoy.

http://www.ibmwr.org/otech/pickup.html

Thanks EJ, just checked it out.