I have a fairly recently acquired T3 and on the the first occasion of having to go to reserve I discovered that the right hand fuel tap only goes to two positions - 9 ‘o’ clock (OFF) and 6’o’ clock (ON), it won’t move to 12’o’ clock (RESERVE).
Moving the left hand fuel tap onto 12 ‘o’ clock (RESERVE) enabled the bike to run fairly well, albeit spluttering on acceleration, until I was able to fill up. I assume there is a crossover pipe in the system feeding from one side to another.
Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question - do I have an issue with the right hand fuel tap?
doesn’t sound like normal operation of a ‘standard’ T3 tap. you haven’t got a replacement tank and tap, perhaps? a photo of the offending tap might jog some clues here. Gutsibits (and others) sell the right ones.
edit: and Yes, there should be a crossover pipe, but some owners don’t like|understand these and go with an alternate approach.
A picture is worth, etc! It surely doesn’t help matters having two different taps - for me, it’s really useful that they both work the same way, especially when fumbling in traffic! Despite being different, they both look ok , but if one won’t operate fully, it might just need a clean up. They aren’t particularly complicated to dis- and re-assemble, and a bit of a deGunk might be all that is needed. as best I recall, there’s no ‘spring’ or tiny nut surprises in there, but can’t be 100% sure (o:
In anticipation of a further possible question, the internal seals can be tricky to source, if knackered. a spare tap, from a fellow Guzzista, less so.
edit: on my own T3, with no trip meter, I have a tiny bit of duct tape on the speedo, with a mileage target, at which I switch to reserve in anticipation. it’s a habit that seems to work well for me, since … (guess?)
Cheers Barry - I’m the same, I prefer to fill up before I hit reserve. Although petrol stations are thin on the ground these days! I’m still getting to know the bike, but looking forward to a long and happy relationship. I see new taps are a reasonable 12 quid each so I’ll probably change them both out while I’m at it. Thanks again.
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having a spare tap in the shed isn’t a bad thing. wrong way threads on the nut that tightens tap to tank, and quite a fine thread, iirc. either way, softly, softly.
btw: i painted the tops of my taps red, when they are both set to ‘off’ - helpful visual clue (for me) when glancing down.
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Will the left one turn round to the three o clock position? ie will it turn 180 degrees from where it is in the photo, maybe that is the reseve position, past the on at the top.
The cut out on the edge of the tap dictates how far it will turn. It does look like you have a mismatched pair of taps. The right hand tap is the same as my Spada of a similar era.
Don - yes it will turn to 3 ‘o’ clock, so maybe mystery solved, I’ll try running it down to reserve again.
Barry - thanks for tips on fuel tap fitment and the paint trick.
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Maybe empty it into a fuel can when the tank is low to see if the reserve in the 3 o clock position works.
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Yes they appear to work differently – one goes from ‘off’ to ‘on’, then round another 90 degrees to ‘res’.
The other is what I remember, so ‘off’ to ‘on’, then to get reserve, turn back through ‘off’ to ‘res’. In other words have to turn it ‘off’ first! Oh what fun it is trying to turn the right tap but not let the engne die with no throttle… 
Hi the tap that has no reserve looks like a cheep pattern part to me!- get a new one off gutsibits for twelve quid to replace it and stop worrying!
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Which one has no reserve??
The right hand tap is the sort i have had on my t3 cali for years! one position is "off " then a 90 degree turn is “on” then a further 90 degrees is “res” i have never seen one with “fuel” embbosed on the tap lever>
it is possible for the rotary part of the tap to seize up or bind on either the tap rubber and/or the wavy washer that provides spring tension if you just slacken the to screws carefully spray a little wd 40 or the like around it and gently wiggle it back and forth it might free up and move properly! ifv the taps are of the bike you can just blow through them to see if they are clear! its the tap in the top picture(right hand tap!) that are the type that Gutsibits supply if you decide you want/need a new one .
hope this helps!
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