Low fuel level causes slow idle

[JoeR]

My '05 fuel injected Electra Glide has developed an annoying new habit. When the fuel tank gets down to 1.5 gallons or so, the idle drops from about a thousand on the tach, to 800. Sometimes it will slow enough to die at a stoplight. This only happens when the fuel level in the tank is low. At 41,000 miles, I'm past the recomended replacement mileage for the fuel filter, and I recall some discussion about the hose inside the tank developing holes that cause problems. Since the gasket and sealing screws for the canopy cover are kind of pricey, I figured I would replace the fuel filter and hose to the fuel pump at the same time. Should I also replace the fuel regulator? Any other thoughts on what could be causing the low idle when the fuel level is low?

[priceamp]

I would seem to make sense to me that if you have developed a pin hole or two in your in tank fuel line that when your tank is low the fuel line could be sucking some air dropping your rpms. Not to sure what to say about replacing the fuel regulator other besides working in the fuel tank is a PITA, so while you’re in there, you might as well swap in a new fuel regulator and be done with it.

[DR_DEUCE]

I just fixed a bike that ran crappy with low fuel. It was the corrugated hose that goes to the output fitting on bottom of tank. Change the filter while you are there. The FILLED tank makes it easier to keep the fuel pressure, and when it is low, I was able to see a small pressure stream of fuel spraying in the tank. You might look into the filler neck when it is really low, and check for a stream of fuel spraying, just when you flip the switch.

[JoeR]

Thank you, that is exactly the information I was looking for. I hate to spend the money on the gasket and sealing screws, then still have the low fuel idling problem, and have to start over.