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How much fuel do you put in? (lemmy.ml)
submitted 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) by wellbudyweek@lemmy.ml to c/motorcycles@lemmy.world
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I bought my first motorcycle a few days ago (will post the promised pics soon!) but I noticed that the nozzle of the fuel station goes quite deep into the tank, so if it shuts off automatically, my tank is only half full.

From cars I know you shouldn't fill up further after it automatically shuts off, but they don't have this issue, so...

The question is, how do I know how much fuel I can put in the tank, without damaging anything (short or long term)?

Edit: thanks for the responses, since the bike is more than 20 years old, I don't haave the manual. But just filling it up as full as possible while the lid can still close comfortably seems to work just fine

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[-] kaotic@lemmy.world 11 points 11 months ago

Check the manual, my Indian has a lip just inside the tank the manual says just as it comes over that lip your “full”.

[-] hydrashok@sh.itjust.works 5 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Yep, my old Honda bike was the same. Little ridge at the top of the tank indicating the “full” line. Don’t overfill!

Also, keep in mind that the bike only holds 2-3 gallons normally, so be careful because it can fill up faster than you might expect if you’re comparing to a car refueling. It’s more like refilling a lawn mower.

[-] RubberElectrons@lemmy.world 4 points 11 months ago

US, west coast, we have systems on the nozzle which prevent dispensing gas unless the nozzle is well seated, in order to pull gas fumes back into a return built into the hose. Here's an article.

I usually have to forcibly override it by pulling back on the plastic ring around the nozzle's base, otherwise I'd only get 2/3 of my tank. I stop a bit below the inlet of the tank, gasoline from a cool underground tank will slightly expand in summer heat.

Good idea for the environment, little bit of an annoyance but no big deal.

[-] SEND_BUTTPLUG_PICS@lemmy.zip 3 points 11 months ago

I don't live on the west coast but when I've visited I was annoyed by having to fumble with the foreskin every time I tried to fill my bike.

If I lived out there I would definitely give one of these a try.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/224910032421

It's a card that you slip over the nozzle that holds the foreskin back for you so you don't have to hold it back with your hand.

[-] gilokee@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago

the foreskin...lol...

[-] RubberElectrons@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago

Nah, just more crap to buy. I keep my moto gloves on and do it manually. Thanks though.

[-] gilokee@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago

I put one 500 yen coin into the machine. Sometimes I get change back. :P (I drive a lil super cub).

but yeah like others are saying, just fill it mostly to the top. No worries.

[-] lka1988@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 11 months ago

My Honda Metropolitan has a little bar at the bottom of the fuel fill hole. Pretty simple. My older XR500 though is just a big hole at the top...

[-] arnan@mas.to 0 points 11 months ago

@wellbudyweek just lift the nozzle, hold it higher. 😉

Ask someone from the fuelstation to help you the first few times if that makes you nervous. Let them do it the first time, have them watch when you do it the first time. Etc.

this post was submitted on 07 Sep 2025
22 points (92.3% liked)

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