Finally got ahold of a decent starter bike, an 82 nighthawk 450. Been riding for about a week now but I realized today I don't know how to switch to the reserve fuel. I looked around and there is no obvious switch or anything.

 

There should be a 3-choice valve below your tank either on the right or left that turns the fuel ON/OFF/RESERVE.

Looks like this:

 

hmm ok I'll check it out. I was assuming it would be something on the handlebars but that makes more sense. Shouldn't it be accessable while riding?

 

It should be yes. It is usually on the left side so you can switch it to reserve whilst riding. Get accustomed to it and know where the valve falls and remember to ALWAYS turn it back to on after filling up...otherwise when you think you have a reserve...you don't/

 

got it. horizontal means its on the reserve right?

 

In that picture above the Fuel is OFF
Rotate Counter Clockwise til the top is Reserve
Rotate Clockwise til bottom is ON

Horizontal is usually ALWAYS off since it is like a rotating ball valve.

 

right. looking at that pic would have helped.....