Nearly road legal with my TBR7, fuel gauge question/issue.

PhoenixX2 · 11-02-2022, 06:12 PM

So I got a TBR7D couple of weeks ago, finally got the paperwork on Halloween of all days, and as of today, it's insured, plated, registered and titled in the great state of West Virginia. Only thing left is to take it in for an inspection and so far almost everything seems to be working great. Swapped out the carb for a better jetted mikuni knockoff, adusted clutch and lever positions, went from the 15tooth front sprocket to a 17tooth, fresh oil change and aside from the valve lash adjustment I'll be doing once I get the feeler gauges I ordered in everything seems to be doing great, had it up and down the street a bit and doing fine. Everything but the fuel gauge indicator possibly.

Haven't fully filled it up yet but had like a quarter or so of gas in a 1gallon gas can I dumped in, then rode my bicycle down to the nearest gas station to refill it and dumped that in. Yet turning the bike on, starting it up and letting it idle, and riding it a bit the fuel gauge never once moved from dead bottom.

The manual says its a 12.5l, so something over 3 gallon tank if my math hasn't failed me, so I would think 1 and a quarter gallons would be enough to move the gauge indicator? Is this an issue or do these things just not give much of an indication unless it's near full? Looked around under the bike around and above the motor and every cable/cable bundle I found was securely connected, and the rest of the cluster, speed/odometer work fine, neutral and gear indicator lights all work.

buzz · 11-03-2022, 12:22 AM

no its working,only reads a full tank. 40 miles its on empty,i just use the trip meter and every 200 miles then fill up.

Bill Hilly · 11-03-2022, 08:45 AM

My TBR7D also reads full after a fill up, but by the time it's probably used 1/4 tank it's already down around empty. Try to use your trip odometer instead. Were in WV are you from? I live in Evans, which is just West of Ripley.

Captcj68chris@aol. · 11-03-2022, 10:27 AM

Hi all 2020 tbr 7. My fuel gauge was just like all others here, I put dielectric grease on the connection and put a small zip tie to hold it tight to each other. Seems to be more accurate!
Time will tell.
Safe riding
Christopher

PhoenixX2 · 11-03-2022, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Hilly

My TBR7D also reads full after a fill up, but by the time it's probably used 1/4 tank it's already down around empty. Try to use your trip odometer instead. Were in WV are you from? I live in Evans, which is just West of Ripley.

Cool to see other West Virginians here. From the Charleston area, been moving all around the surrounding cities in my years, planted firmly in Charleston for now lol.

As for the topic, figures it'd be the case, luckily I pass 2 gas stations on the road to get to my street so I'll just make a habit to stop in and top it off every couple of rides.

Bill Hilly · 11-03-2022, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixX2

Cool to see other West Virginians here. From the Charleston area, been moving all around the surrounding cities in my years, planted firmly in Charleston for now lol.

As for the topic, figures it'd be the case, luckily I pass 2 gas stations on the road to get to my street so I'll just make a habit to stop in and top it off every couple of rides.

A lot of my Mother's side of the family live in the Charleston area. My Mother was raised in Marmet, and went to East Bank, She was in school with Jerry West. My Father lived on Chandler Drive in Charleston for a while back in the late 40s, and early 50s when he was a kid. He used to caddy at Edgewood golf course when he could barely carry a bag.

alex_in_az · 11-03-2022, 02:49 PM

mine stopped working after about 1500 miles, I just use the trip meter and reserve valve

PhoenixX2 · 11-03-2022, 07:07 PM

So anyone got any recommendations for good replacement mirrors? Took it out up and down the hill and around the neighborhood a few times today, trying to get the hang of the clutch (first motorcycle) and still stalling every few takeoffs but getting there.

Unfortunately today's riding exposed a total failure, the mirrors. I topped at around 20mph, and every-time I went to takeoff, I readjusted them, every-time I went to look at one it was in a completely different position, at the joint (stem obviously didn't move at all being screwed into the levers). Idk if the joint is just too loose or can't handle the vibrations or what but that's totally not usable.

Bill Hilly · 11-03-2022, 07:55 PM

Take a good fitting screwdriver, and tighten the screw on the back of the mirror. Mine stay in place just fine.

PhoenixX2 · 11-04-2022, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Hilly

Take a good fitting screwdriver, and tighten the screw on the back of the mirror. Mine stay in place just fine.

Thanks, I looked around for some way to adjust them but those screws didn't even register lol.

CheapThrills · 11-10-2022, 09:32 AM

Check the quick connect under the tank, which can become a quick-DISconnect too.

Did you pull the tank(valve job, ignition coil work, etc.) without disconnecting? Could have broken a wire.

hth,

Thumper · 11-10-2022, 03:08 PM

What Cheapthrills said...
If the fuel gauge never worked, maybe it was never connected

Just lift the tank and check the connection.

dig4dirt · 11-12-2022, 09:17 AM

When I got mine I did check the connection during pre start maintenance.
Connector seemed good, but after I put in a gallon or so nothing.

I was a bit stumped, but after filling up it would show full.
When my gauge gets to E it still has over half tank,
then I fill after it gets to basically showing well below E.

I know I still have some fuel left when I see a small rise after turning key on.

Just make sure you run with the shut off in RUN so you can still use RES if/when necessary.

I had a new float/sender picked out ready to order, but decided against.
If/when I am bored (or have to check something else) I will remove tank and then
the float and bend the puppy to register more accurate.

CheapThrills · 11-13-2022, 08:46 AM

So there is a problem with my TBR7, the gas level always reads low. I heard an easy fix is to disassemble the tank and re-bend the arm.

I am wondering, have you ever filled up the tank all the way and then checked the level. Your's might be reading abnormally low.

FYI, I had to lose my fuel level sensor in my Boom Vader due to a fuel tank leak ( https://mymotorcycleblog.com/boom-va...epaired-again/ ) so been living with just using an odometer to monitor tank level. Bad thing is Boom Vader's don't have a reserve setting on the stopcock.

Point is, even if you never get the level to work correctly, you can still have lots of fun with the bike.

Good luck,

Oldenslow · 11-13-2022, 06:37 PM

On a carbureted bike a fuel gauge is just something else to break. Learn proper use of the petcock, and ride...

11-02-2022, 06:12 PM	#1
PhoenixX2 Join Date: Oct 2022 Posts: 13	Nearly road legal with my TBR7, fuel gauge question/issue. So I got a TBR7D couple of weeks ago, finally got the paperwork on Halloween of all days, and as of today, it's insured, plated, registered and titled in the great state of West Virginia. Only thing left is to take it in for an inspection and so far almost everything seems to be working great. Swapped out the carb for a better jetted mikuni knockoff, adusted clutch and lever positions, went from the 15tooth front sprocket to a 17tooth, fresh oil change and aside from the valve lash adjustment I'll be doing once I get the feeler gauges I ordered in everything seems to be doing great, had it up and down the street a bit and doing fine. Everything but the fuel gauge indicator possibly. Haven't fully filled it up yet but had like a quarter or so of gas in a 1gallon gas can I dumped in, then rode my bicycle down to the nearest gas station to refill it and dumped that in. Yet turning the bike on, starting it up and letting it idle, and riding it a bit the fuel gauge never once moved from dead bottom. The manual says its a 12.5l, so something over 3 gallon tank if my math hasn't failed me, so I would think 1 and a quarter gallons would be enough to move the gauge indicator? Is this an issue or do these things just not give much of an indication unless it's near full? Looked around under the bike around and above the motor and every cable/cable bundle I found was securely connected, and the rest of the cluster, speed/odometer work fine, neutral and gear indicator lights all work.
	1

11-03-2022, 02:49 PM	#7
alex_in_az Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Goodyear, Arizona Posts: 407	mine stopped working after about 1500 miles, I just use the trip meter and reserve valve __________________ 2020 Tao TBR7 9.3:1 PnP head CRF230F exhaust 4 degree advance key 290 degree cam Nibbi PE30 and cone filter Front fork brace
	0

11-10-2022, 09:32 AM	#11
CheapThrills Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Lehigh Valley Area Posts: 147	Check the quick connect under the tank, which can become a quick-DISconnect too. Did you pull the tank(valve job, ignition coil work, etc.) without disconnecting? Could have broken a wire. hth, __________________ - My 2 Bikes: TaoTao TBR7 Boom Vader Gen 2 (BD125-10) Testing a YouTube Channel
	1

11-12-2022, 09:17 AM	#13
dig4dirt Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Lanco PA Posts: 41	When I got mine I did check the connection during pre start maintenance. Connector seemed good, but after I put in a gallon or so nothing. I was a bit stumped, but after filling up it would show full. When my gauge gets to E it still has over half tank, then I fill after it gets to basically showing well below E. I know I still have some fuel left when I see a small rise after turning key on. Just make sure you run with the shut off in RUN so you can still use RES if/when necessary. I had a new float/sender picked out ready to order, but decided against. If/when I am bored (or have to check something else) I will remove tank and then the float and bend the puppy to register more accurate. __________________ TBR7D NGK...JT.Chain&17/42sprockets...ebayExhaust
	0

11-13-2022, 08:46 AM	#14
CheapThrills Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Lehigh Valley Area Posts: 147	So there is a problem with my TBR7, the gas level always reads low. I heard an easy fix is to disassemble the tank and re-bend the arm. I am wondering, have you ever filled up the tank all the way and then checked the level. Your's might be reading abnormally low. FYI, I had to lose my fuel level sensor in my Boom Vader due to a fuel tank leak ( https://mymotorcycleblog.com/boom-va...epaired-again/ ) so been living with just using an odometer to monitor tank level. Bad thing is Boom Vader's don't have a reserve setting on the stopcock. Point is, even if you never get the level to work correctly, you can still have lots of fun with the bike. Good luck, __________________ - My 2 Bikes: TaoTao TBR7 Boom Vader Gen 2 (BD125-10) Testing a YouTube Channel
	0

11-03-2022, 12:22 AM	#2
buzz Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Dayton Pa. Posts: 857	no its working,only reads a full tank. 40 miles its on empty,i just use the trip meter and every 200 miles then fill up.
	1

11-03-2022, 08:45 AM	#3
Bill Hilly Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 929	My TBR7D also reads full after a fill up, but by the time it's probably used 1/4 tank it's already down around empty. Try to use your trip odometer instead. Were in WV are you from? I live in Evans, which is just West of Ripley.
	1

11-03-2022, 10:27 AM	#4
Captcj68chris@aol. Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Bowling greenK.Y. elev. <1000 ft Posts: 93	Hi all 2020 tbr 7. My fuel gauge was just like all others here, I put dielectric grease on the connection and put a small zip tie to hold it tight to each other. Seems to be more accurate! Time will tell. Safe riding Christopher
	0

11-03-2022, 07:07 PM	#8
PhoenixX2 Join Date: Oct 2022 Posts: 13	So anyone got any recommendations for good replacement mirrors? Took it out up and down the hill and around the neighborhood a few times today, trying to get the hang of the clutch (first motorcycle) and still stalling every few takeoffs but getting there. Unfortunately today's riding exposed a total failure, the mirrors. I topped at around 20mph, and every-time I went to takeoff, I readjusted them, every-time I went to look at one it was in a completely different position, at the joint (stem obviously didn't move at all being screwed into the levers). Idk if the joint is just too loose or can't handle the vibrations or what but that's totally not usable.
	1

11-03-2022, 07:55 PM	#9
Bill Hilly Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 929	Take a good fitting screwdriver, and tighten the screw on the back of the mirror. Mine stay in place just fine.
	1

11-10-2022, 03:08 PM	#12
Thumper Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Kansas City Posts: 2,237	What Cheapthrills said... If the fuel gauge never worked, maybe it was never connected Just lift the tank and check the connection.
	1

11-13-2022, 06:37 PM	#15
Oldenslow Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 153	On a carbureted bike a fuel gauge is just something else to break. Learn proper use of the petcock, and ride...
	1