Tour Tank (fuel cell)

[Big MAK]

Those tanks are baffled so you don't get rapid weight shift. I'd mount it on a bracket over the 2nd seat -- the weight and balance would be considerably easier then riding 2up. The tank would be within the dimensions of the bike (not sticking out like saddlebags) so that's not a problem. Putting it in the tour pack doesn't make any sense to me either.

Gravity feed seems to be what most folks go with by putting a "T" in the return line to refill the main tank when it gets low. Some people report for it to work well with the higher pressure EFI fuel system you have to put a pump on it. I think they probably used a "T" where the returning fuel tended to push against the gravity feed. A "Y" is probably more appropriate where the returning fuel pressure would help the feed by being a draw instead of a pressure to work against (think of the bottom of the "Y" as the point feeding the main tank).

Really my main concern is introducing air.. but I was originally thinking of the install as a switch-over to fuel via main then switch to aux. But I guess if it was on the refill side that wouldn't be a problem.

edit: I see the quote on welding a feed directly into the main tank. Seems to support my theory -- the returning fuel is pressurized enough with an EFI system that the gravity feed won't feed. Hmm... I wonder how much it'd cost to get the tank worked on...

[Dirty Dan]

Originally Posted by Sidecar Doug

I'm not an Iron-butt rider either. But with only 5 gallons of fuel, and the extra weight of the sidecar, I need to stop to fuel up too often.

With a sidecar you should be able to find a decent place to mount one I'd think.

You have a sidecar...is that why you go by Sidecar Doug?

[LittleBear]

Originally Posted by Sidecar Doug

I'm not an Iron-butt rider either. But with only 5 gallons of fuel, and the extra weight of the sidecar, I need to stop to fuel up too often.

Doug,
My brother ran with a Motivation Engineering Sidecar for years. It had a 12 gallon fuel tank on board with an electric fuel pump. The tank was a factory option. He plumbed it into the gas feed line with a quick disconnect and would just refill his tank as needed. He did not feed the bike fuel from the sidecar. With the electric fuel pump, the quick disconnect and an on/off switch, he was a rolling gas station for other bikes a few times

[SafetyMan]

Originally Posted by Red Rider

I'd rather carry whiskey in it...

THAT sounds like a good idear...

I've thought about getting a couple one liter fuel bottles for long trips....

Would give you about a 40 mile cushion....

[TalonChief]

I wouldn't mind having a bigger tank that still looks like it is supposed to be on a bagger, but I have not seen one and an 08 tank, so I am told, won't fit.

[LittleBear]

Well, I like to step off every hour or so and stretch my legs. That is usually half way between gas stops anyway. A larger tank does give more of a cushion when out in the middle of nowhere. One reason I upped my Heritage tank from 4.2 gallons to 5 gal. is because of the worry factor, not to have more range. I have come close to running both of my bikes out of gas before. 5 gallons has been just enough too many times.

Problem I would have with a larger tank, I would push my luck even more and stretch out 6 gallons as far as it would go too.

Kind of like income, you spend what you got.

[Sidecar Doug]

Originally Posted by LittleBear

Doug,
My brother ran with a Motivation Engineering Sidecar for years. It had a 12 gallon fuel tank on board with an electric fuel pump. The tank was a factory option. He plumbed it into the gas feed line with a quick disconnect and would just refill his tank as needed. He did not feed the bike fuel from the sidecar. With the electric fuel pump, the quick disconnect and an on/off switch, he was a rolling gas station for other bikes a few times

I've carried a 2 gallon fuel can in the sidecar for longer trips, just so I don't get stuck in the middle of no were. It would be nice to have a set-up like that.

[route66paul]

Originally Posted by 8-Ball

I've thought about getting a couple one liter fuel bottles for long trips....

Would give you about a 40 mile cushion....

Being that a liter is a little more than a quart, and there is 4 quarts to the gallon, I would think that a couple of bottles would be a couple short.

[PeaceKeeper]

Originally Posted by 8-Ball

I've thought about getting a couple one liter fuel bottles for long trips....Would give you about a 40 mile cushion....

Thats the ticket, works great for me. I havent found anyplace in the states yet that the distance between pumps is farther than my range, but there may be someplace so that is what I carry just in case.

[Sidecar Doug]

Originally Posted by Peacekeeper

Thats the ticket, works great for me. I havent found anyplace in the states yet that the distance between pumps is farther than my range, but there may be someplace so that is what I carry just in case.

I've coasted into a gas station before. I'd still like to carry alittle extra incase that station got closed down, and I'd have to ride to the next town for gas.

[thrasher]

Originally Posted by 8-Ball

I've thought about getting a couple one liter fuel bottles for long trips....

Would give you about a 40 mile cushion....

My friend that went on the 2006 trip from Texas to Canada and back with us used two of these on my suggestion. His bike (H0nda Valkerie) got really poor gas mileage in a headwind, and he ended up needing them. We rode in some pretty remote places at times.