Fuel reserve doesn't seem to be working

[Steve Theodore]

I've run my FZR600 our of gas twice now. The first time was during the initial ride home from purchase (when I took the word of the seller about how much gas was on board...my fault). Last night I checked my fuel level prior to riding, then went out to do some highway riding practice. Eventually the bike lost power, then sort of recovered and I got about another quarter mile before it died. I promptly opened the tank to see it was indeed fairly dry, switched it to reserve, and couldn't even start the bike again. I sloshed the tank side to side as best I could but alas, no start.

Fortunately it happened close to home and my wife was only a phone call away...but I'm becoming more convinced that my reserve doesn't actually work properly. Can anyone tell me how a properly functioning reserve system should work on the FZR600?

Thanks, and apologies for the newbie questions. It's my first motorcycle and I've only ridden it three times including last night.

[lt61173]

When I bought my bike I had an issue with the reserve. My was a little different as I ran out of gas in the regular on position and after that I had to run in reserve. When I had a day off at work I pulled the petcock out as I figured there was dirt in the tubes or something. I found out the tubes were in upside down. The screened end was in the body of the petcock. I gently pulled the tubes out and put them in the right way and it has been great since. You may want to check this. I do not know if it may have been worked on and put back together incorrectly or it was an odd factory issue.

[thatkid]

I had the same problem, both the tubes where missing.

[Steve Theodore]

Hey guys, I appreciate your feedback. I will suspect the worst, that the tubes are currently missing...yet hope for something slightly different.

[olie05]

I had a non working reserve. The cause was a missing tube on the "on" fuel tube. It was just rolling around on the bottom of the tank. Also, I noticed that the "off" position still provided fuel to the carbs.

I recently had to replace all the fuel hoses, so I took the petcock out while the tank was drained. I pushed the "on" tube back into the petcock body, and then I got curious and took apart the petcock. It turns out the gasket was torn allowing fuel to flow without restriction in all positions.

Since I didn't feel like buying a new petcock or gasket kit, I simply flipped the gasket around so that although the "off" position doesn't work, the carbs don't get fuel wen the "on" position runs out. That's when I switch to reserve and find a place to refuel.

In summary, I fixed my non-working reserve, and you can too!