Modern Buddy

Whenever I'm pumping gas into my buddy, the auto stop on the station's fuel pump kicks in at about half tank. So, eventually I started to lift the hose up and pour it in so it wouoldn't stop, but then i couldn't tell when i was going to over fill the tank and spill it! What tricks do you guys use to fill your tank more accuratley?

Hmm...I haven't had this problem. I am able to fill about 1.3 gallons (which reads "Full") with the nozzle all the way in.

My best suggestion would be to learn to estimate how much you'll need based on the fuel gauge and watch as you pump. That or take it back to the dealer and ask why you're having the problem (what I would do).

timely for me...

I just put first fuel in last night and wondered this same thing. Since I wasn't sure and didn't want to flood the contents of my luggage area, I stopped it manually at 1 gallon. I had about 100 miles on the odometer so I figured it had to be in that ballpark somewhere.

--
Kevin

Given that the tank is very small (compared to a car), I'm pretty sure what is happening is the fuel being pumped into the tank is being jostled around enough that it triggers the 'stop' mechanism on the pump very early. So I've just been pumping at about as slow a pace as the pump will allow; got 1.2 gallons this past weekend when the needle was way into the red 'empty' zone.

I just use a gas can at home.

lobsterman wrote:Since I wasn't sure and didn't want to flood the contents of my luggage area, I stopped it manually at 1 gallon.

from personal experience, it is much more likely that the excess contents will spill forth before getting to the top lip, leaving your luggage compartment untouched... the excess gas will, however, pour down over your hot engine and pipe, which can (and did) cause a few nervous moments waiting for all the gass to evaporate... good times...

At least on the B125, there is a raised lip on the surface immediately surrounding the gas filler, so any fuel that splashes out tends to be contained in that particular area. I am more worried about the splash that seems to send gas over the bodywork and too close to my eyes

Has anyone seen "The Long Way Round" with Ewan McGregor? In it, he has some gas splash into his eyes, and it doesn't seem like a pleasant experience!

The biggest problem with over-filling the tank, as I understand, is that it can interfere with the vacuum of the fuel system and make it hard to start the bike. Probably the easiest thing is just to watch the pump and shut it off at 1.3

Simple.

Pull the nozzle very close to the rim of the hole into which the nozzle barely fits. Slant the nozzle so that the lower edge in inside the hole and the upper edge is barely above the rim.

Pour slowly and you will be able to see the flowing from the nozzle as well as gasoline in the tank. You can tell when it is just about full. You will probably had a few droplets on top of the tank lid but that won't hurt anything.

An added benefit is that, while pouring slowly, drivers waiting to take your place will wonder just how big a tank that little Buddy has.

okiejack wrote:An added benefit is that, while pouring slowly, drivers waiting to take your place will wonder just how big a tank that little Buddy has.

And you can still fuel up, go in for a Snickers bar and a Mountain Dew (or whatever) and be back on the road before their SUVs are half full.

Wow... all this seems super complicated! I had a couple spills when I first started (one right on my jacket I had stashed in th seat compartment! ), but now it's smooth sailing. My trick:

1.) Pull back the sleeve of the gas nozzle (that plastic accordian bit).
2.) Insert the tip just inside the tank; I mean JUST inside. (keep the sleeve pulled up with your other hand)
3.) Pump gas until it automatically kicks off.
4.) You should be full and good to go!


I have this down to an art: dismount, center stand, gloves off, pre-pay, pump, re-mount, zoom off... and leave those SUVs (that were pumping away when you got there) wondering where they can buy a cute little scooter!

Ok, so I made the error of over-filling this afternoon and had to apply the kickstart to get going again. I went for a long ride and then tried the starter but with no luck. How long do I have to wait before the gas over-fill subsides? I thought 2 hours and 40 miles would do it but apparently not.

Wow, Leigh...I've overfilled mine on a semi-regular basis (just a wee bit spilled over) and I've never had a problem starting... That just doesn't sound right.

--Keys

hermitgirl wrote:1.) Pull back the sleeve of the gas nozzle (that plastic accordian bit).

What "plastic accordian bit?"

ECS

not all the gas stations have them. only a few in my area JUST got them. my two cents.

Keys, I'm beginning to wonder if something is wrong with my Buddy. I had that battery problem (battery basically died on me which does happen occasionally) but it seemed to correct when I installed a new battery and was starting just fine.

I'm going for a ride later today and if the starter won't work, I'm seriously considering having roadside assistance come and tow the scooter to my dealer.

avidgirl wrote:Keys, I'm beginning to wonder if something is wrong with my Buddy. I had that battery problem (battery basically died on me which does happen occasionally) but it seemed to correct when I installed a new battery and was starting just fine.

I'm going for a ride later today and if the starter won't work, I'm seriously considering having roadside assistance come and tow the scooter to my dealer.

That sounds like a wise decision.

Elm Creek Smith wrote:

hermitgirl wrote:1.) Pull back the sleeve of the gas nozzle (that plastic accordian bit).

What "plastic accordian bit?"

ECS

Figures that the one time I need it, there are NO pictures of what I'm talking about...

On some gas nozzles there are plastic "sleeves" that are there (I believe) to help gas not drip down the side of a car. To fill my Buddy, I pull this sleeve back, to let the tip of the nozzle go just inside the gas tank. If there's no sleeve, just put the tip of the nozzle into the tank, and fill until it automatically clicks. You CAN push it a bit further, and your tank will hold a little more, but then you risk overflowing.

Unless I've just been lucky with gas station choices (which is possible, I'm a rather lucky individual. ), this works for me, without spillage.

hermitgirl wrote:Figures that the one time I need it, there are NO pictures of what I'm talking about...

On some gas nozzles there are plastic "sleeves" that are there (I believe) to help gas not drip down the side of a car. To fill my Buddy, I pull this sleeve back, to let the tip of the nozzle go just inside the gas tank. If there's no sleeve, just put the tip of the nozzle into the tank, and fill until it automatically clicks. You CAN push it a bit further, and your tank will hold a little more, but then you risk overflowing.

Unless I've just been lucky with gas station choices (which is possible, I'm a rather lucky individual. ), this works for me, without spillage.

This is for vapor emissions control as mandated (I think) by some states.

I've had problems with the "pulling back the sleeve" method on some pumps. Basically, this will trigger a pump which is being dificult and allow me to dispense gas, but the auto shut off will then not work!

Pumping slowly definitely helps, and it never hurts to just remove the nozzle and peek into your tank. It also helps to remember which pumps are the easiest to use. I don't even bother going to the stations with cheaper gas... at these quantities, it just doesn't matter.

Leigh, I have to agree. A dealer check-up seems to be in order. It MAY be that the charging coil in the stator is not functioning. You put in a new battery and it's fine for a while, then begins to malfunction? Sounds like the battery is not being charged by the stator.

--Keys

Well, my Buddy started today with no problem and ran like a charm all day, starting and stopping roughly 10 times.

I don't know. I'm still wary. Only about another 250 miles until my 500 mile check up. If nothing is amiss before then, then I'll just wait but if I'm still having issues, I'm going to take it in.

On a happier note, had a fantastic ride today! Fall weather is in full swing here and the leaves are beautiful. Hope I can squeeze a few more long fall rides in before it gets too cold to spend 4 hours on the scooter.

Sounds like a fabulous ride, Leigh. I'm happy your Buddy worked well for you so you could enjoy it!

--Keys

I cut a 3" long piece of pvc pipe 2" in diameter.It pushes up the vapor guard and I can fill it to the top without it shuting off or they make a product called a mc cuff for 20. bucks that does the same thing.

I keep 10 gallons at home, fill up there, and carry a gallon in a safe
container in the top box in case I run low.

These guys work great for at-home filling:
http://www.amazon.com/No-Spill-1405-2-G ... 933&sr=1-2

No muss, no fuss

I don't find gas "cans" any easier to use than any other method. The can, itself, is no easier to fill at the station than the Buddy. If you don't have at least a 5 gallon can, it's hardly worth the trouble, but the 5 gal can is heavy to lift and pour. It's WAY easier to over fill and splash gas all over the place with a can than with the pump.

Plus, you don't get to show off at the gas station.

BTW - This assumes that one lives near a gas station. If you're out in the boonies, by all means, get a gas can.

My $.02

Howard

Well, I kinda live in the boonies. I use 2 5 gallon cans and can fill the 1 gallon trigger operated cans by putting the 5 gallon can on my work bench
and carefully filling the 1 gal. can by tipping the bigger can to fill the
smaller can. The trigger operated smaller cans are not a problem as
long as I keep my eye on what I am doing. Saves me time on the road and avoids ticking off the cages if there is a crowd at the station. If I am riding my TGB Del 150 I carry 2 1 gallon cans. That big delivery box makes a great back rest and can hold a lot of stuff.
Merry Christmass and a Happy New Year to all.

I see from your blog that you had a Stella tug and a Cozy hack. Do you
still have it? And how did it work out on the Stella. I have a TGB R9i tug
and Cozy hack, thinkinb g about transferring to the Stella. I carry two
1 gal. gas cans in the Cozy trunk (Just to keep in the boiunds of this subject!!!)

here''s a pick of my pvc pipe .It works great and I can fill up right to the top without i.t shutting off.Im selling them for 10,000 dollars or you can make one for 20 cents

Thanks for all the tips. I just bought a 170i and I'll probably be filling it up for the first time tomorrow.

I usually just watch the numbers on the pump...If I'm at 3/4 tank, 0.85 gallons is usually good for me.

I have no problem just watching the tank level with the filler nozzle's tip held at the same level as with the recessed tank opening. I stop when the fuel is just touching the hole; this also works for the Harleys. On longer rides, I am a bit less likely to run out of fuel this way.

If it is dark, I use a small flashlight (SureFire 'Back-up') that I always carry in my left front jeans pocket to balance the folding knife in the right one. The light has a 'two-way' pocket clip that allows me to attach it to anything handy for 'aiming'.

Milt wrote:I have no problem just watching the tank level with the filler nozzle's tip held at the same level as with the recessed tank opening. I stop when the fuel is just touching the hole;

I filled up my 170i for the first time today. The automatic shut off on the pump stopped it long before the tank was full but I did basically what Milt described, though I stopped with the fuel level an inch or so below the hole. The pump nozzle didn't have one of those plastic sleeves and the fueling hole seemed to be plenty big enough to easily see around the nozzle tip to see the fuel level in the tank as I pumped the fuel slowly into the tank.

I'll have to remember some of the tips for how to deal with the pumps with the plastic sleeves for when I'm traveling since I'll probably encounter them.

This:

okiejack wrote:Simple.

Pull the nozzle very close to the rim of the hole into which the nozzle barely fits. Slant the nozzle so that the lower edge in inside the hole and the upper edge is barely above the rim.

Pour slowly and you will be able to see the flowing from the nozzle as well as gasoline in the tank. You can tell when it is just about full. ...

I've filled up many, many times (see my Fuelly sig) using the above style.
You put the spout just inside the opening on the Buddy gas tank, angled. Then you can see the fuel as it rises inside. In California (and some other places) you will need to pull back on the vapor recovery "accordion" sleeve or the pump won't run.
Don't pull the handle all the way back at full-blast. Run the gas in slowly. Get to know the pumps at the places you frequent and you'll find one or two that will let you control the flow better than others.