Honda Hornet Reserve Tank

winz · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Feb 2015 Karma :

A totally newbie question here.

I popped out to see my accountant and as I was joining the main road the Hornet died when using the throttle. Five red faced minutes later, I switched to reserve and all was good.

I swiftly made my way to the Petrol Station and it was brimmed after only putting in approx 5 litres. I can't remember if I switched back to on before refueling, but surely it would have taken a lot more to fill up.

I am probably stating the obvious, but was I doing something wrong?

DrDonnyBrago · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jan 2010 Karma :

So you know (you may already), the reserve isn't a separate reserve tank, it is just a second tank outlet lower down in the normal fuel tank. Being lower means it is submerged when the main outlet is just sucking air.

Not sure how you only managed to get only 5 L into an "empty" tank. Probably because the main fuel outlet is blocked so it wasn't actually empty.

monkeybiker · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Sep 2014 Karma :

It couldn't have been at reserve level and must have cut out for another reason.

winz · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Feb 2015 Karma :

Just checked the tank and it's full.

It would idle with the choke on, but as soon as I turned it off, or gave it any throttle it would die.

But after switching to reserve it was fine for the journey back.

So I am thinking that the outlet was blocked. I'll go for another ride before long to see if it does it again.

weasley · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Oct 2010 Karma :

Could be a dodgy vacuum line to the tap?
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MarkJ · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Karma :

Could also have sucked some crap fuel into the carbs through the 'on' tube, and had better fuel low down from the 'res' inlet. Had any rain get in the tank lately?

I have a 99 model, and if I do motorway trips I normally have to switch to reserve at about 110 miles, and get 20 out of reserve. I'll normally fill up at 100 miles and that usually costs about £10. I don't think these tanks actually hold the full 16 litres, possibly something to do with the design of it having to fit over the frame tube in the middle of it.

winz · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Feb 2015 Karma :

I bought it just over a month ago and has been on my covered driveway ever since. I'm not sure how long it was laid up by the previous owner either...

Would it be a bad idea to give it a good running over the weekend and hope it's ok?

MarkJ · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Karma :

When I got mine in 2006 it had been laid up for a while. For the first tank of fuel or so it would cut out randomly when riding it, then fire up more or less straight away. After a new tank of fuel it hasn't done it since, I put it down to some crap in the fuel tank. Give the vacuum and fuel lines a check like weasley said and I reckon just ride it and see how you get on.

Llama-Farmer · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Jan 2012 Karma :

winz · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Feb 2015 Karma :

Just got in from a round trip to Portishead and all was fine, must have been some crap in the line.

Kwakki Si · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Karma :

my reserve doesnt seem to work on my bike so i think the line must be blocked.
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woodyeee · Nova Slayer Joined: 22 Aug 2010 Karma :

Sit on the bike so it is vertical while you refuel the hornet and slowly top up the last bit of fuel, this will expel the air that gets trapped in the tank. Doing this will extend your mileage between stops!