GL1100 bad fuel mileage

2278 Views 13 Replies 12 Participants Last post by peterbilt, Mar 18, 2012

revtech

Discussion Starter · May 14, 2005

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i need help with this one just pullled my 83 aspencade out of storage i changed the oil(spectro 20-50) plugs(OEM suggested)they look good to me if not a little lean,air filter(k&N) and ran sea foam through the tank and some down the air box(fallowed the instruction on the can) but my bike will not get much more than 150 miles out of a full tank(it all ways take four and a half gallons or better) no matter what kind of riding i do stop and go or on the high way for 200 plus miles cant seam to figure this one out i know its not ending up in the crank case.

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norman

· #2 · May 14, 2005

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Revtech

I was havingfuel mileageproblems on my 82 Goldwing. I was getting 28 to 32 mpg. I found all four of the air cut off valves diaphragms rotted out they looked like screens and they were stuck in the carbs I cleaned all four carbs with B-12 and comp.air. Replaced the air cut off valves and new gaskets and put in a new fuel filter. I'm now getting 40+mpg. This may not be your problem but something you could check out.

Norman

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twisty

· #3 · May 14, 2005

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revtech wrote:

i need help with this one just pullled my 83 aspencade out of storage i changed the oil(spectro 20-50) plugs(OEM suggested)they look good to me if not a little lean,air filter(k&N) and ran sea foam through the tank and some down the air box(fallowed the instruction on the can) but my bike will not get much more than 150 miles out of a full tank(it all ways take four and a half gallons or better) no matter what kind of riding i do stop and go or on the high way for 200 plus miles cant seam to figure this one out i know its not ending up in the crank case.

Revtec, 4.5 gallons over 150 miles is 33.3 MPG. That isn't great but could be close to proper if you are still running on winter gasoline in your area yetor doing a lot of cold weather riding.

That 20w50 motor oil sure isn't helping your fuel mileage as it is causing internal engine friction (especially if you are using petroleum based 20w50) & the ambient temps are on the low side).

How long are you riding withthe enrichener on after starting? The longer that stays on the worse your fuel mileage will be.

Do you seem to have any dragging brake problems? That could be a problem on the older Wing after storage. Slightly dragging brake(s) can really lower your MPG. A slight drag will be hard to detect while riding so look for brake rotor heat after riding for a distance then coasting to a stop WITHOUT using yourbrakes.

Check those air cut off valves asNorman suggested,if the air cut-off valve(s) are malfunctioning you could run real rich at low speeds.

Low tire pressure can also effect fuel economy so check that regularly.

Using gasoline with alcohol in it can also lower your MPG so look for fuel that is alcohol free.

Is your engine coming up to operating temperature quickly? If not, suspect a thermostat that isn't closing or not operating correctly.

Have you added any wind drag accessories? Like wind wings or a higher windshield?

Check the obvious things, then if nothing stands out wait till hot weather & re-check your mileage. By then that 20W50 oil will have thinned out a bit, your area will have completely switched over to summer gasoline, you will haveopened your wind wings (if you have them), you will be able to open the enrichener right after starting, you won't have so much cold weather gear on.

Twisty

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mag

· #4 · May 15, 2005

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Was your bike stored properly with fuel stabilizer, floats drained? I suspect the carbs have gummed up, or possibly the floats. My 78 was getting poor mileage, i rapped on the float bowls and it shot up to 37mpg for a little while. I think my float needle/valve is stuck or worn in at least one carb. It doesn't take much for gas to varnish the carb parts.

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revtech

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 16, 2005

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no i did not put any thing in my fuel to keep it fresh that is why i ran the sea foam in the tank and the air box

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mag

· #6 · May 16, 2005

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i've been told over and over by mechanics that fuel system cleaners like Seafoam can dissolve some residue. However, the jet passages are VERY small, and any varnished gas can block them (much like heart disease -- drug therapy sometimes clears clots, though often one needs surgery). Also, if the cleaner breaks up stuff in the fuel system, it can jam it up, especially the float needles. I think this is my problem.

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Stevo

· #7 · May 16, 2005

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OK I have the same poor mileage issue. I have an 1984 Aspencade with 20Kmi. It was stumbling on acceleration and decel after 6 month layoff. I cleaned the carbs and installed new rubber diaphrams ($$$!). Fixed the stumble but did not improve mileage. Where are these air cut off valves?? Are they made of rubber? Doed my 1984 have the same config carbs?. Bike does run well but not efficiently. Could anything else cause this. Choke works well andI only use it for 15 seconds or so and the bike heats up just fine.

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rbron

· #8 · Mar 17, 2012

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I have a 1500 that is triked. I am onley getting 16 mi. to the gal. Can anybody give me some idea whats wrong!

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newday777

· #9 · Mar 17, 2012

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welcome to the forum rbron
This is an old post written in 2005, on an 1100.
Start a new topic on your bike so there isn't confusion.

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1500 Hold Out

· #10 · Mar 18, 2012

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Have a two wheel 2000 SE 1500. Recently replaced all hoses and vacuum lines. Splits and loose connections and hoses to both carburetors.

Just a thought.:15white:

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wilf

· #11 · Mar 18, 2012

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Hey stevo how did ou clean the carbs and not remove the fuel cutoff valves. If you shot cleaner into them you likely damaged the diaphragm

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gumbyred

· #12 · Mar 18, 2012

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I had my 1500 out yesterday, and going into a 35 M.P.H. wind it was only getting 33 M.P.G. Probably still putting the winter gas in the tank. Should get better mileage this summer on a calmer day.
gumbyred

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youcantoo

· #13 · Mar 18, 2012

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On mine (84 GL1200i) I was getting 25.8 MPG. After doing allot of checking I found the the choke/enrichener cable was sticking a bit. After lubing the cable and taking it for a short jaunt of 180 miles, I calculated the mileage again during a fill-up and it was 42.23 MPG Thinking I had made a mistake, I took it for another jaunt, up on fill up again I figured out 41.5 MPG. I am running non ethanol fuel in the old girl.

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peterbilt

· #14 · Mar 18, 2012

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depending on the roads you take if there are alot of hills ect 33ish mpg isnt bad i only got 35mpg on my 1100 others here obsess on the mpg issue

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