Should it make a knocking noise or just stand still all the time?

 

The only time the fuel pump will run on the F3's is when the engine is running. You can put your hand on it and feel it thumping, but not continously. It kinda goes in spurts, and that's normal.

 

so the only way to know if its going bad is to take it apart and look at the contacts on the switch?

 

That is one way to check, Another is to take a pop bottle clean it out and put fuel in it. Then take the line that goes from the petcock on the tank to the pump stick it in the fuel and see if draws the fuel out (while its running)

Try and make sure that the fuel is above the pump and carbs which might mean youl have to take the tank off

 

hmm thats weird because in that video you posted of the fuel pump contacts going bad.. the contacts were thumping all the time?? i dont get it

 

They go all the time if you wire the pump directly to a 12V source. It should only be pumping on the bike when it needs to be, thus what the fuel pump relay is for. This regulates the voltage that tells the pump to go or not.

 

hmm ok. well my contacts look really worn and it barely make a spark when they touch. i think the switch is the culprit in my situation. i hope it is cuz i ordered one

 

So if the fuel pump only runs intermittently, does that mean the rest of the time it is running off gravity? If so does the bike "need" a fuel pump? Besides performance times (hard leans/heavy accelerating)

I honestly got tired of reaching down and feeling my fuel pumps heartbeat every other minute, especially on the freeway. Its definitely not fun learning to ride on the freeway and having your bike shut off due to the fuel pump

 

im just gonna replace the switch. i believe this will solve all of our problems. as soon as i get it i will let everyone know. it will be here next week

 

Keep us updated for sure.
And the fuel pump debate is one tht I believe will never be resolved. It all comes down to a matter of opinion. I personally run without one on a gravity feed system. I'm not out to convince anyone to run without a fuel pump, but if that's the route you want to take it I'd be glad to walk you through it.