Fuel level sensor on petcock

1865 Views 14 Replies 5 Participants Last post by TrialsRider, May 11, 2022

Sb_5.0

Discussion Starter · May 11, 2022

Hello I have a 1977 bmw r75 and I am building a cafe racer I had the idea to make a fuel level sensor to it. I see that some of the older moto guzzi bike had them. The r 75 has 2 holes for 2 pet cocks would it be possible to use one of the holes for a fule sensor. And do those sensors power a on/off light or a gauge. I have not seen any one do this. I thought that it would be a unique part of the bike. Thanks

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rich46

· #4 · May 11, 2022

Sb_5.0 said:
Hello I have a 1977 bmw r75 and I am building a cafe racer I had the idea to make a fuel level sensor to it. I see that some of the older moto guzzi bike had them. The r 75 has 2 holes for 2 pet cocks would it be possible to use one of the holes for a fule sensor. And do those sensors power a on/off light or a gauge. I have not seen any one do this. I thought that it would be a unique part of the bike. Thanks

Sb, As TR said as you are working with the early BMW's you are basicly starting from scratch. You'll need to create a electrical circuit whether you are going to install a "Low fuel" light or a gauge. I would weigh the cost benefit ratio with care. You will need to make a way of installing the send device and if that requires welding (there's nothing we like to weld on more than used fuel tanks; serious fun) and most often it'll include repainting the tank. This is unless you are lucky and everything you are installing mates up with everywhere you are installing it into.

Making a sight glass style gauge as TR has said would be kinda cool and not often done but totally old school and at least the bits wont be expensive.

Cheers

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rich46

· #9 · May 11, 2022

TrialsRider said:
I have that exact same gauge on the snowmobile I bought this year, 2 problems, one it's not designed to work on a saddle tank and 2 the pos that came on the machine doesn't work.

... it threads onto a plastic tank

Yep does look like a snowmobile gauge. The sight glass I last saw on a classic BSA cafe bike ( this was 30 years ago) was nothing more than two tubes welded to the lower edge of the tank about 5" apart at about the 1 gallon level with a clear tube. I suspect that when the fuel got under that 1 ga level the tube had no gas in it so you knew you needed to find some nice 49.9 cent a gallon gas.

Now it's been a long time since I had a non-EFI BMW so I can't recall the fuel exit to from the tank but if it would work I'd just go with a Pingel valve and when I had to switch the lever I'd start looking for fuel. Problem I think is that none of what we are saying gives the look that Sb is trying for. I think it could be a problem to get something going but like most things I'm sure it's doable but looks to be a lot of work. Most of us back in the day just used valves with reserves. Simple, easy and more time to ride.
Cheers

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