Motorcycle Repair: Fuel Reserve Not Working, honda shadow spirit, petcock lever

Question
Mark,

Can you provide me with ideas on how to check if my fuel reserve is working, other than running it out of gas.

I have run out of gas twice and switched to the reserve postion, nothing happened, no gas.

Do I need to replace the pep cock?  Anything else?

I have a 1997 Honda Shadow Spirit Vt1100.

Thanks,
Jim


Answer
Hi Jim,

Soory for the late reply. My PC was down for 3 days. Had to reinstall Windows, etc..

There's a tube on the petcock that only allows fuel to flow in "On" positions to certain level. Then, the petcock lever must be turned to "Reserve" to allow fuel to flow through another lower level opening in the petcock.

I suspect this tube has come unsealed from the petcock or other and fuel is completely used through the "On" opening.

You'll have to remove the petcock to investigate.

Visit "www.bikebandit.com" and then click "OEM Parts" to see microfiche parts on lne.

Respectfully,
Mark Shively