Fuel Gauge for 1983 Trailfire

[dspete05]

Does anyone know where I can find a fuel gauge for a 1983 Trailfire. All the ones I do find online are for up to 1982. I believe I was told that the '83 and '84's take a different one. A while back I had found a place that made them for an '83/'84 machines, but I didn't write it down and I can't find it now . If anyone can tell me where I can find one or who makes them, I would greatly appreciate it.

[AirborneX4Special]

Appears Kelch no longer makes them, so it's going to be hit and miss.

[nick80lf]

Appears Kelch no longer makes them, so it's going to be hit and miss.

Well.....if that's the case. I think a cap from a 97-99 Yamaha VMAX will fit if you are ok with not having a gauge. I put one of these on our Snowfire instead of getting a cap with a gauge.

I've been working on another project and I have been shocked by the simple parts that seem to be no longer available lately (like missing from the distributor catalogs).

[JDGuy]

Try "The Parts Connection" in Jackson, MI. 517-787-0477. He has carried Kelch fuel gauges in both the small and large thread diameters for both early and later fire series JD's. Unsure what he currently has in stock. The length should be approximately 11.5" as I recall. None of the gauges will be calibrated for the tank shape. You can do your own calibration by re-twisting/forming the flat sheet metal "rod" that guides the float, not an easy process, I did it for an 80 Liquifire. Drain tank, put in 1/4 tank of fuel by gallons, measure fuel depth, 1/2 tank and measure fuel depth, 3/4 tank, etc. and them re-twist the float rod to give you those measured fuel depths.

[nick80lf]

Thanks Guy, I was trying to remember the name of that company. I did find their listing on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-VINTAGE-GA ... 632-2357-0

[dspete05]

Hey guys, thank you for the replies!! As I kept searching around, I did come across " the-partconnection" and they had the fuel cap I was looking for. I took all the measurements they described for the cap and it should work. JDGuy, I take it you purchased one of those caps/gauges. Is the calibration way off on the gauge to where I couldn't trust it to at least be close?

[JDGuy]

Yes, I have purchased from them, fuel gauges, Mikuni ATV carb kits, etc. The gauge as purchased would be accurate for a cubical tank, not the varying shape of a fire series tank. I remember trying it stock and did not like the results. If I remember correctly it was off quite a bit at low tank were the accuracy is most critical, but that was probably over 10 years ago and the memory has become foggy. Another option to re-twisting the float guide (which is not easy, I do remember that) is to run the fuel calibration and mark the clear plastic lens accordingly. That was my first try at it but I was not happy with my marking technique so I bought another gauge and re-twisted it. Running the fuel calibration will tell you for sure how far off and where it is off rather than my memory!!!

[dspete05]

Thank you JDGuy for the reply. I'll take that advice and see what works best for me. Thanks again!!