Petrol Pump At a recent ride day I noticed the performance of my SFC 1000 dropping as the fuel level got lower in the tank

Well this is dependent on the vehicle but usually the answer will be no. The lower the level the better and remember that petrol is highly flammable. What needs to be considered is that fuel like anything else will flow from a higher level to a lower level. If your pump is at a lower level than the level of the fuel in the tank then when you disconnect the fuel hose the fuel will run out of the pipe. In tank pumps will usually have an access panel at the top of the tank which won't leak when opened. You could use a hose clamp to stop fuel leaking when changing the pump.

dont think the 1996 fuel pump "get to" is under the back seat

looks like the fuel pump and sender is on fitted top of the fuel tank
under the car
if so tank has to be removed completely

lots of work
better to budget for a new fuel pump

if you cant hear the fuel pump

with care
drop off the fuel filter line or
drop off the fuel line to the injector rail
and see if fuel gets pumped while you crank
or
paper clip wire the relay positive and negative pins only
or change relay

if you can hear the relay click
faulty petrol pump

Hi The dealership are right but there are ways of dealing with the problem that don't require loads of cash. I had a similar problem with a Suzuki SV some years ago. i researched the problem on the web and spoke to a few bike performance places fuel goes off and causes all manner of problems with fuel injection and carbs.

I cured my problem by get a couple of bottles of injector and carb cleaner for petrol.engines you simply pour it into the tank and ride. I used Comma Petrol Magic (about £6 here in the UK) filled to nearly full tank poured the contents of 1 bottle into the tank and rode around after a few miles and a few small backfires I found the bike was performing much better and idle was nearly normal. I use this product every couple of months (normally ½ a bottle to a full tank) bike rides great. Hope this helps.

how does it work with the tank cap off, the pump may not be the problem if it works great with a full tank the pressure of the fuel is stronger to drop. the lower the fuel creates a vacuum in the tank as it goes down, the pump will keep working but as there is no air in the tank it will not feed. some vents are in the fuel cap and there is a regulated one on the tank itself. this can get blocked and limit the fuel getting to the engine.

Check filler neck if ok then a line on top could be broke or loose. Ether way better to drop tank and look.

You need to take the gas tank off the car,an then you are going to be able to take the fuel pump.

Ride the bike until it starts "holding back" or whatever it does. If you think it's fuel level related. Disconnect the fuel line at either the carb or the tank. Turn the fuel on, or if you have one of those vacuum operated petcocks, apply vacuum with a hand operated vacuum pump to open the petcock and test the fuel flow. See if you have a full stream of fuel coming out of the hose. Then fill the tank, and retest. Notice the difference in the flow.

Now, if there is a noticable difference, what is causing it. It could be the petcock screen. I've seen the screens have a "too high" standing pipe for the main fuel supply. The screen has a "pipe" made into it that is usually about an inch above the petcock. Fuel flows down this pipe when the petcock in the "ON" position. When the fuel level in the tank falls below the height of this pipe, the engine sputters and sometimes stalls indicating that you need fuel. But, when you switch the petcock to "RES", another hole in the petcock, which does not have the standing pipe, will open up and allow you to use the remaining fuel in the tank. On a Sporty, this is usually somewhere around a gallon of fuel or about 40 miles or so.

One other thing that could be effecting this the level of the bike. If they has been lowered this could have altered the "level" of the bike. On a Sporty with it's small capacity tank and the shape of the tank, if the has been lower by as little as 1" in the rear, it will cause a problem such as this.

I notice that the bike is a 2010 model. If it's still under warranty, take it back to the dealer and let them figure it out. That's what a warranty is for. But, just in case, keep this things I've mentioned in mind.

Good Luck
Steve

the fuel pump is in the fuel tank, u will have to drop the tank to access the fuel pump

Drop the tank. While you have the tank off and the pump out inspect the inside of the tank for contaminants like dirt, varnish, and even water. A clean tank means a happy pump. It's always a good idea to replace the fuel filter when you replace the fuel pump.