suggestions?

[HobbyMan]

I was emptying my tank the other night at about 120mph. I got it down to reserve fast enough. Because of my filters, it took about 5 miles for the fuel to start flowing readily again after switching. I think that the filters are just taking a while to fill with not as much gravity pressure on the tank. Is there a way to correct this delay? It kinda sucks trying to keep the engine from starving during a 5 mile fuel drought. Horizontally mounted filters trapping air wouldn't be prolonging the delay would it? They are the big glass type with replaceable elements. Its a standard XS.

Gonna have the dent fixed day after tomorrow hopefully.

[81xsproject]

I have never experienced a delay of more than ~5 sec.

[prometheus578]

HobbyMan... this is indeed disturbing.
And from you... the XS Wonder-Boy. Taking college physics courses in H.S.
Look closely at those filters. Do they really have to fill with fuel? What you have is a cylindrical body with two nipples(and so does the filter, so we shall talk about that, instead)
Fuel comes in one side, crosses the filter element, and then out the other side. Once the fuel in the body reaches the same level as the out-flow tube, it will exit. There is no need for it to fill the cylinder completely.
Or do you disagree?

[mro]

suggestions? ........

don't empty tank at about 120mph...may take awhile for the gas to ketch-up. (can also lead to an over night stay in the local lock up).

other suggestion. get new filters.
I have the type filters you describe on my hot rod.
Chrome ends with glass cylinder, white plastic filter.
Being changed now.

Cool looking, but are not very good at filtering. The plastic mesh in em lets a lot of debris thru.

Wonder what can happen if glass were to crack/break while your being very XSive with the throttle

Could be a very hot experience...........


mro

[HobbyMan]

Well, I even tried to slow down. Yes PRo, I do understand the physics of the matter. But therer are other forces at work. These filters do ok because I haven't found any junk in the carbs for a while though it does pile up in the filter. I am thinking that my petcocks are somewhat related in this problem. If it is just a problem with sucky filters, what are the best type? I like these right now because I can change the elements. Are the paper type really that much better?

[TADracer]

Dont the standards have a vacuum line to the cocks? Maybe something there causing your problem.

[81xsproject]

First of all, no more 120! I know, you are what, like 17, and almost certainly overflowing with testosterone and invinsability. I was the same way. Don't be the kid who killed himself on his bke and devistated his poor parents.

Now that I have done my obligatory cyber parenting (I have a new son, so I can't help it), I used to use screen type in lines and was still finding crap in my bowls. I have now gone to large auto types instead. large filtration area, no crap since.

[xswilly]

i would check the screen on the inside of the tank the reserve side could be plugged

[HobbyMan]

I thought that is what you were supposed to do on a deserted freeway at night. For one thing I know that I am not invincible. Its not worth riding a motorcycle if you can't open it up once in a while. Its not the speed that kills, its the other people and sucky roads. Anyway I am going to check the petcock filters.

[Dragonrider]

I'm thinking VLX fuel pump...cuts off with no power, so no more vacuum petcock needed thing...and only puts out about 2psi so is fine for carbs with floats...

No more vapor lock, no more fuel in the oil, no more vast delay between "on" and "reserve" at 120 mph...no more need for "prime", no more need for those filters to be packed up tight under there (move them somewhere easier/cooler, the pump will fill 'em).

[mason79]

no more 120 try punching it to 145

[HobbyMan]

HMM... Interesting thought. There is only one place that I can do that. I already do it once or twice a week. I must have weekly speed updates.

[DiverRay]

Yeah, on my way into work, I take one sweeper at about 80, open it up and hit 100 for about 30 seconds, and then start to slow down for the exit.
I just hope the CHP doesn't find my little "fun" location.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Andrew,

I think your filters are probably ok, but you can test them by trying to blow thru them, if you get much resistance, then they are clogged and you need to change the element.

Like Prom said, only needs to rise to the height of the exit nipple to get flowing. But if they are LARGE filters, along with what XSWilly said with partially clogged reserve petcock screens since you may not get into reserve often, and the crap you've been filtering out with your inlines could be collecting around the lower portion of the screen towers, then it could also take a while to fill them up to get flowing again!?

However, once the fuel stops coming from the petcock, it will stop going to the carbs once the level drops to just below the height of the inline filter outlet nipple, so unless they are clogged, probably not at fault. Also, how's the gas cap vent?

My money is on the petcock tower filters being clogged around the level of the reserve area!
T.C.

[goldcoastguy001]

Yep what TC said....lol