Range of Bike? I spend too much time at the filling station

I have an 82 Maxim 550. I get about 60 to 70 miles per tank. When I have to switch over to reserve, I have used about 2.5 gallons of gas. Seeing how I do not want to run out of gas every time I refill about every 50 miles. That’s not very far between fill ups. I wish I could go 100 miles between fill ups. My bike idles just fine and runs great. It does not run like I need a tune up. Is this the normal range? How can I travel further between fill ups?

1. Bigger tank. Anyone have a suggestion on what tank? Pictures?
2. Auxiliary tank(s). How does that work and where would it go? Pictures?

 

Around 26 mpg?? ouch... I think I might have a 3 gal tank on my 750, and I get much more miles and much better gas mileage. You might want to check and see if your carbs are running like they should be or something.

On mine, stock tank I'm sure, full tank = +/- 130 miles freeway driving.

 

Yeah, that sounds a bit low, I get about 200 kms before I hit reserve on my 650, Mind you I have a 750 tank on there which holds 4(?) extra litres, makes a big difference.

 

on my 750 I can go a range of 135/150 before I fill up, right now i'm avg 37-42 mpg, this all dependent on if freeway, or on base riding

 

My 550 Seca gets to about 250 km before I switch to reserve. Check your air filter is clean and take a look at the spark plugs for a rich burn the electrode will be black.

 

Re: Range of Bike? I spend too much time at the filling sta

How long have you had this bike? I thought mine was running fine when I first bought it, but it ran much better after I replaced the plugs and repaired the header collar on #1. Haven't been into the carbs yet, but that will come in the spring. Anyway, you may wind up being suprised at how much better your bike could be running with proper maintenence. Poor fuel mileage may be an indication the she needs help.

 

Check the Air Cleaner and do a Plug Read.

If the Air Filter is robbing you of getting "Good Air" ... that;s going to mess-up economy in a BIG way!

Read the Plugs.
Too dark and not "Chocolate-colored" is wasting gas.

New Filter
New Plugs
Look for leaks

 

Re: Range of Bike? I spend too much time at the filling sta

I got 200 miles to a tank once on my 750 Seca. You need to have the mixture set correctly, not too rich, and the float levels correct and the needle valves not leaking to get good mileage. If your float valves leak ever so slightly or the jets are just one size too large it won't be apparent in normal riding but cuts the mileage quite a bit. If you are only getting about 60 to 70 miles per tank then it must be WAY T RICH! I wouldn't be surprised if your plugs weren't getting fouled with carbon. You need to do some serious work on the carbs and possibly replace the jets with the correct sizes.

 

I think I only go about 100 or so on one tank on my Maxim(650) but thats mostly all city or the occasion 30 miles or so total on the highway at around 70 and higher... I have to twist the throttle at highways speeds it so effortless to get to 85 and higher I love the pull although the exhaust smells a bit like raw fuel at idle, I wonder if my mixtures are screwed up.

 

I am getting around 52-56 miles per tank and I have an 82 Maxim 550, but I have been chalking a LOT of that to city driving as I rarely get out of 2nd gear and never get out of 3rd unless I am hitting a freeway to go an exit or two. I have yet to switch out my plugs, but I did change the oil (which helped more than I expected) and looked at my air filter. I was hoping to find a birds nest or something so I'd have an easy fix, but nothing there, 'cept a really old (it looks fairly yellowed) mostly clean (no debris) filter. Took the shop vac to it and put it back on. Next thing I will need to do is get my new NGK's into place, and then pay someone to do my carbs on a long weekend or something if it doesn't get much better. On the 550 I had 10 years ago I was getting 80/tank easily with no brains towards maintenance at all. I am sure this one needs more regular care, and for me to pay the penance of riding a different one into the ground.

 

I fill up my 82 550 Maxim every 100 miles to be safe. I have gone 130 miles before having to switch to reserve, but for some reason, when it flips to reserve I end up putting in 3 gallons in a 3.5 gallon tank. It seems my reserve kicks in pretty late. So, I do the every 100 mile fill-ups.

It sounds like you have a carb or air intake issue.

 

My jetted 650 with K&N air filter & aftermarket 4-into-1 averages around 45mpg. If you're getting that low with a 550, something's seriously wrong - start checking for air restrictions and your carb settings.

 

Re: Range of Bike? I spend too much time at the filling sta

i feel like alot of people misread your thread. (but then again maybe i just misread it.) leme see if i can add a differnt perspective for you.

kvic, when you fill up how many gallons are you buying? from what im reading it seems like you have to fill up everytime your tank gets to about halfway. have you by any chance looked at your petcock tube? ive seen some where the tube was so high it was no wonder the bike was running out of gas so soon and needed to be switched to reserve. it might be worth it to check it out. what if the previous owner put an after market petcock on your tank and the tube is really long. thus your needing to switch to reserve way too soon. and since its not a good idea to run on reserve your having to fill up all the time. take a look at it. lemme know what you see. also your saying 2.5 gallons on reserve! thats half my tank man. so thats why i think your petcock tube is too long. id cut it in half or something. (although use your own judgment when you actually see the tube for yourself. either way lemme know how it looks. send a pic if you can. oh and take a measurement and let us how know how long it is. good luck man.

ike

 

Re: Range of Bike? I spend too much time at the filling sta

yeah...measure your co.......wait a minute...

Anyway, I think he meant he is putting 2.5 gallons in when he flips to reserve which means he has about 1 gallon left on the 550 as the tank is only like 3.5 gallons. If that is true, 2.5 gallons @ 50 miles is 20 miles to the gallon. That is way too low for the 550.

 

Re: Range of Bike? I spend too much time at the filling sta

lol yeah that didnt sound right hahah. woops.

 

Re: Range of Bike? I spend too much time at the filling sta

KCIV, I don't have a 550, but definitely sounds bad. When I first got my bike, I would sometimes notice that I smelled of gas after a ride. Although it is sexy, it meant I had a problem. My petcock was leaking as a result of a bad diaphram. I could be wrong, but it seems like you might have a gas leak or something if you seem to be running reasonably well, but are getting about half the mileage. I average 48-49mpg with my 700, and I know I'm not running tip top at the moment. Maybe worth looking for.

 

I look for a leak. Then I'd check the Diaphragm Pistons for sticking and not closing down all the way.

That would make you run RICH and there'd be the tell-tale sign of running too Rich by examining the Plugs for color and build-up.

It's not a good idea to run too rich. The unburned fuel begins to for a Carbon Deposit on the entire area of the Combustion Chamber, Valves and the top of the Piston.

The build-up on top of the Piston is dangerous. If if gets too thick it stays hot rather than give-off heat during the exhaust stroke. Eventually, a hot-spot will begin to soften the Piston Crown leading to a Piston Burn-through!

 

Re: Range of Bike? I spend too much time at the filling sta

I get 400km (~250miles) before i come to a stop (reserve not working), so normally fill around 300km's (~190miles), XJ900, mixture of city riding and country riding. The fuel guage stops at a 3/4 empty so i found out the first tank...
PeterN