Fuel System Questions

[dmgoforth]

Has anyone had any experience with the float/bowl kit from Bing? Bing says it improves milage due to an improved design. My main reason is ethanol, for which they have floats only. But, if the kit actually gets another 25-35 miles from a tank, it might pay for itself over time, especially if gas goes to $5 again.

Also, the bike goes on reserve at about 3 gallons, with 2.5 gallons left in the tank. I verified this a couple times by filling up at reserve. I thought reserve supposed to be at about 1/2 gallon left. Has anyone seen this before?

[tghsmith]

mileage increase, not as I have seen, have run the indepenant float units (older ones) for nearly 16 years, have replaced floats in my wifes bike every 2-3 years, side by side touring I don't get any better mileage than hers..., but I have just recieved the new "black floats"" to install in both bikes(putting the oem float bowls back on my bike)

[20774]

Has anyone had any experience with the float/bowl kit from Bing? Bing says it improves milage due to an improved design.

These were touted by Bing but I don't think the numbers pan out. They're mostly for situations where there is significant lateral forces such as would occur in light aircraft. Bing carbs are used in those situations. The downside to this change is that you lose the overflow tube with the new bowl. Without the overflow tube, there's a chance that gas can more easily flow into the intake track and create hydraulic lock when you go to start the engine. That tends to bend rods.

Bing does offer new floats that replace the old white foam floats...I saw them at the National rally. I think I'll buy those next time I need floats.

Also, the bike goes on reserve at about 3 gallons, with 2.5 gallons left in the tank. I verified this a couple times by filling up at reserve. I thought reserve supposed to be at about 1/2 gallon left. Has anyone seen this before?

Year/model bike?? It's possible that the straws that are inside the tank connected to the top of the petcocks are "extra" long, resulting in a big reserve. My /7 goes on reserve at ~4.6 gallons out of 6.3. It's stock AFAIK.

[vanzen]

DO NOT expect any (significant) increase in mileage with the independent float kit.
A thorough tune-up of the engine and chassis will yield an improvement,
the 'aircraft style' float kit will NOT.

If ethanol is reeking havoc on your stock floats,
or they have become saturated with age and need replacement anyway ...
the new material floats that use stock bowls
would be a better (and cheaper) investment.

[dmgoforth]

1991 R100RT under 20k.

The bike is not far from mint. I am working on all the things needed to make it roadworthy/reliable for long trips.

...almost finished with everything I can find (think of)....then i will get a dealer to check it out and see if i missed anything.

Thanks for all the replies....you guys are a wealth of good information.