yukonerdave
Well-Known Member
Hello all
I didn't see an intro page, but this is my first post as a new member. I am a VERY proud owner of a new (to me) '85 max. Been looking at these bikes for 4/5 years now and I finally found one I could afford! Couldn't be happier with it.
Anyway, thanks a lot for the explanation of the reserve system. I have a somewhat odd issue that I'd like to ask about. I scanned through the posts and I don't believe this one has been addressed, but please forgive me if I've missed it.
I picked up the bike about 100 miles from my home. The charging system was failing, and the battery was almost drained, but it would just manage to start still. I filled the tank and rode it home, then charged the battery. I then rode around a little more and the low fuel light came on at about 110 miles. I switched to RES and filled up after another 5 miles or so (I now gather that the tank must have been pretty damn empty at that point!). Anyway, the bike didn't sputter or hesitate at any point so I guess I lucked out. After filling the tank, I switched back to ON. Next day I ride the bike out to my mechanic to have the charging system looked at (turns out that it was simply some poor connections and has since been fixed). About 10 miles in, the bike dies on the highway. It sits for 3 or 4 minutes, I try to restart, and eventually switch back to RES. This seems to work, and I ride with no problems another 10 miles to the mechanic. During the ride I switch it back to ON. Mechanic says that he has it die on him as well, and that switching back to RES seemed to solve the issue. He assumes that the tank is nearly empty, but recall that it is only down a gallon or so at this point. Anyway, the charging system is fixed and I ride 5 miles to a gas station and top it up (takes less than a gallon). Another 5 miles down the highway and it dies on me. I fiddle with the switch, start and go 4 or 5 times and eventually it starts running strong again. I now have the switch in the ON position and I've put 40 miles on it with no more problems. One more thing: when I start the bike the fuel light does NOT come on. The manual says that this suggests an electrical problem of some sort.
At first I thought that with the charging system failing the fuel pump was not getting enough power, but now it looks more like a problem with the fuel switch. Should I still be worrying about the fuel pump itself? Any suggestions on how to troubleshoot the issue? Should I just make sure to fill up before 90 miles and hope that I don't have the issue anymore? I'd like to be able to take off down some back country roads without worrying about it dying out unexpectedly again.
Thanks a lot
I didn't see an intro page, but this is my first post as a new member. I am a VERY proud owner of a new (to me) '85 max. Been looking at these bikes for 4/5 years now and I finally found one I could afford! Couldn't be happier with it.
Anyway, thanks a lot for the explanation of the reserve system. I have a somewhat odd issue that I'd like to ask about. I scanned through the posts and I don't believe this one has been addressed, but please forgive me if I've missed it.
I picked up the bike about 100 miles from my home. The charging system was failing, and the battery was almost drained, but it would just manage to start still. I filled the tank and rode it home, then charged the battery. I then rode around a little more and the low fuel light came on at about 110 miles. I switched to RES and filled up after another 5 miles or so (I now gather that the tank must have been pretty damn empty at that point!). Anyway, the bike didn't sputter or hesitate at any point so I guess I lucked out. After filling the tank, I switched back to ON. Next day I ride the bike out to my mechanic to have the charging system looked at (turns out that it was simply some poor connections and has since been fixed). About 10 miles in, the bike dies on the highway. It sits for 3 or 4 minutes, I try to restart, and eventually switch back to RES. This seems to work, and I ride with no problems another 10 miles to the mechanic. During the ride I switch it back to ON. Mechanic says that he has it die on him as well, and that switching back to RES seemed to solve the issue. He assumes that the tank is nearly empty, but recall that it is only down a gallon or so at this point. Anyway, the charging system is fixed and I ride 5 miles to a gas station and top it up (takes less than a gallon). Another 5 miles down the highway and it dies on me. I fiddle with the switch, start and go 4 or 5 times and eventually it starts running strong again. I now have the switch in the ON position and I've put 40 miles on it with no more problems. One more thing: when I start the bike the fuel light does NOT come on. The manual says that this suggests an electrical problem of some sort.
At first I thought that with the charging system failing the fuel pump was not getting enough power, but now it looks more like a problem with the fuel switch. Should I still be worrying about the fuel pump itself? Any suggestions on how to troubleshoot the issue? Should I just make sure to fill up before 90 miles and hope that I don't have the issue anymore? I'd like to be able to take off down some back country roads without worrying about it dying out unexpectedly again.
Thanks a lot
