How does reserve fuel work?

[Guest]

I have an 1982 GS1100GL and my fuel switch looks like the attached picture.

In the attached picture is my tank on reserve or primary? I had it in the other position, with the long part of the handle on the PRI side but I still ran out of gas.

[nejeff]

Your tank is in reserve. See the arrow on the lever? It points to your position

[nejeff]

You probably have a faulty petcock, order up a new one as these go bad and need replaced. They are vacuum operated and the parts wear out

[gordinho80]

As shown, you are in RES... the opening in the petcock screen is lower in the RES position than it is in the ON position. PRI and RES are same level, PRI just lets gas flow without vacuum.

[bille]

As shown, you are in RES... the opening in the petcock screen is lower in the RES position than it is in the ON position. PRI and RES are same level, PRI just lets gas flow without vacuum.

I think this is my problem! So because I had it in PRI I ran out of gas. What I need to do is keep it in ON and switch to RES when needed, correct?

[nejeff]

I think this is my problem! So because I had it in PRI I ran out of gas. What I need to do is keep it in ON and switch to RES when needed, correct?

You mean the tank ran dry?

[bille]

Yes, I went out for a ride and it shut off after a couple of blocks and was completely out of gas.

[81GS850]

Yea run it in the "on" position so that way when you run out of gas you switch to the reserve and have enough fuel left to go somewhere.