How dumb is this? Fuel gauge.

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BoulderBud
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How dumb is this? Fuel gauge.

Post by BoulderBud »

Is it a dumb idea to snip off the little peg inside the instrument panel so my fuel gauge needle will go below the E? I would love to know when I'm truly getting low on gas.
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ericalm
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Post by ericalm »

I get the logic, but it's probably not going to fix the problem. It's not a linear calibration error in the gauge. The problem is usually with the floater in the tank and its ability to measure the volume.

Have a look here: topic25377.html

And here: topic14355.html

How bad is the problem you're having? It could be a stuck float.
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
BoulderBud
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Post by BoulderBud »

I've already read these threads and a couple of others on the topic. If I were to go thru the process of fixing the float, I give myself a good chance of causing an unintended consequence that I would regret.

I've only filled the tank 4 times. My 125 has 350 miles on it. My best guess is that I have 1/4-1/3 of a tank left when the needle hits the empty peg. I thought I could make a mark or two below the snipped peg and thus know when I'm truly getting close to empty.
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jrstone
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Post by jrstone »

At least with the Buddy you can take the cap off and SEE how much fuel you have left. Not the case with a lot of scooters.
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Post by scootERIK »

You just have to learn how your gauge works, I know I can go 10 miles plus after I hit the peg. I have gone 20+ miles but most of that was done with me being really easy on the throttle and only going 40-45 mph. I know that I can get 100 miles on a tank, though I will usually fill up at 80-90 miles.

Also, I recommend getting a small fuel bottle like these-
http://www.amazon.com/MSR-22-Ounce-Fuel ... el+bottles
skipper20
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Re: How dumb is this? Fuel gauge.

Post by skipper20 »

BoulderBud wrote:Is it a dumb idea to snip off the little peg inside the instrument panel so my fuel gauge needle will go below the E? I would love to know when I'm truly getting low on gas.
Yes, it's a dumb idea as it's really unneccessary. Just figure 100 miles on a full tank.

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VinylDoctor
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Post by VinylDoctor »

plus isn't the gauges in metrics?
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Post by BuddyRaton »

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'06 Cream Buddy 125, 11 Blur 220, 13 BMW C 650 GT, 68 Vespa SS180, 64 Vespa GS MK II, 65 Lambretta TV 175, 67 Vespa GT, 64 Vespa 150 VBB 64 Vespa GL
TVB

Re: How dumb is this? Fuel gauge.

Post by TVB »

skipper20 wrote:Yes, it's a dumb idea as it's really unneccessary. Just figure 100 miles on a full tank.
Not everyone memorizes what their mileage was the last time they filled up.
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BuddyRaton
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Post by BuddyRaton »

VinylDoctor wrote:plus isn't the gauges in metrics?
Full, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4 and Empty don't care what units are being used
"Things fall apart - it's scientific" - David Byrne
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'06 Cream Buddy 125, 11 Blur 220, 13 BMW C 650 GT, 68 Vespa SS180, 64 Vespa GS MK II, 65 Lambretta TV 175, 67 Vespa GT, 64 Vespa 150 VBB 64 Vespa GL
scootERIK
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Re: How dumb is this? Fuel gauge.

Post by scootERIK »

TVB wrote:
skipper20 wrote:Yes, it's a dumb idea as it's really unneccessary. Just figure 100 miles on a full tank.
Not everyone memorizes what their mileage was the last time they filled up.
I write down my mileage on the gas receipt when I fill up and put it under the seat just in case I need to figure out how far till I run out of gas. But mainly I just fill up when I get around E.
Last edited by scootERIK on Tue Mar 18, 2014 3:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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agrogod
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Post by agrogod »

How about this. Next time it moves to E and you can just ride with no where else to go, i.e. work, just ride until it runs out of fuel. You will have in your possession when this happens, a spare fuel carrier, the mileage you wrote down before the ride occurs, the mileage when the fuel ran out and the knowledge that when it hits E you will have X amount of miles before a gas station is needed. Just remember to ride like you normally do. Scooters aren't rocket science but they occasionally need hands on research.

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BoulderBud
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Post by BoulderBud »

Thank you all! Replies came in 10-0 that I shouldn't be messing around inside the instrument panel.

So, I will take agrogod's advice and measure the miles I get from when the needle bottoms out, and when I run out of gas.
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toot
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Post by toot »

I don't understand. Why don't you just fill when shows empty. Why does it matter how much is left. I always fill 1/4 or lower I don't want to get stuck. :?
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Re: How dumb is this? Fuel gauge.

Post by PeteH »

TVB wrote:
skipper20 wrote:Yes, it's a dumb idea as it's really unneccessary. Just figure 100 miles on a full tank.
Not everyone memorizes what their mileage was the last time they filled up.
In my old VW, the gas gauge was mostly nonfunctional. I kept a grease pencil and just wrote the last fillup mileage on the (metal) dash. One could do the same thing on the Buddy's speedo.
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Post by TVB »

toot wrote:I don't understand. Why don't you just fill when shows empty. Why does it matter how much is left. I always fill 1/4 or lower I don't want to get stuck. :?
A good policy. But sometimes you don't notice you're low, until you see the needle on "E" and need to make a judgment, such as:
a) If I stop for gas, I'll be late, but if don't stop and I run out, I'll be really late.
b) There's a gas station 2 miles behind me, and another 6 miles ahead of me. Can I keep going forward, or do I have to turn back and add 4 miles to the trip?
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Post by mukaiboston »

I didn't even know there was still gas in the tank after the needle hits the peg. I always fill up a little before the needle goes in the red, because I've heard red means the scooter needs gas immediately.

Also, there aren't as many Shell and Exxon stations where I am and that is the only gas I will use.
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Post by vintage red matthew »

I was disconcerted when I found that the speedometer and fuel gauges on my new Buddy were even less accurate than Vespa gauges. And there is no trip odometer. I use the grease pencil method on my vintage Vespas and now the Buddy. I am going to carry extra fuel and run it empty. I was wondering if a bicycle speedometer would work. If it can be adjusted for a wheel that small it would give you an accurate speedometer and resettable trip odometer.
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Post by JettaKnight »

BuddyRaton wrote:
VinylDoctor wrote:plus isn't the gauges in metrics?
Full, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4 and Empty don't care what units are being used
Someone missed the joke...


Some these post about this is inaccurate and that is weak are puzzling. It's a scooter! Really, people it's a scooter! It wasn't that long ago that it was a surprise if the gauges worked at all.
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BuddyRaton
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Post by BuddyRaton »

JettaKnight wrote:
BuddyRaton wrote:
VinylDoctor wrote:plus isn't the gauges in metrics?
Full, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4 and Empty don't care what units are being used
Someone missed the joke...


Some these post about this is inaccurate and that is weak are puzzling. It's a scooter! Really, people it's a scooter! It wasn't that long ago that it was a surprise if the gauges worked at all.

In all honesty I've answered more...let's say "uninformed" questions that that one! Well you hooked and reeled me in! Well done! And I agree...it's a scooter. As the old joke goes if the speedo is broken it's a real Vespa! :mrgreen:

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"Things fall apart - it's scientific" - David Byrne
www.teamscootertrash.com

'06 Cream Buddy 125, 11 Blur 220, 13 BMW C 650 GT, 68 Vespa SS180, 64 Vespa GS MK II, 65 Lambretta TV 175, 67 Vespa GT, 64 Vespa 150 VBB 64 Vespa GL
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