Aux Fuel Tank

[dirtsailor]

I have been wanting an Aux Fuel tank to go in place of my passenger seat and wanted some ideas or part numbers i can order. I have a fuel bottle but i want something more permanent. Does anybody have an idea on what or how to do this?? I have been browsing aluminum 3-5 gallon tanks but not sure of sizes. Any help would be cool ::002::

 

[Philistine]

These things are pretty good

http://rotopax.com/

 

[OX-34]

I think Erik means something like this:



Plumbed in so no stopping to fill from a jerry can.

The tank itself is custom made 3mm aluminium, baffled internally and holds just under 18 litres. An aircraft-style cap for filling.
The bed that the tank sits on is just some alloy 3mm plate bolted to the rear luggage rack and also to the 6mm holes just in front of the tank. All on alloy spacers cut to length.
A weld-in bung with barb ending sits at the front right corner with a simple inline tap.
Roll-over vent at the rear right corner (highest point) with a coil of fuel line that exits down on the rear mud flap.
Quick-disconnect fittings for the fuel line.
Inline fuel filter.
Bulkhead fitting inserted into the main tank after drilling with a unibit.



Aircraft Spruce could possibly supply all of the plumbing bits in North America. No part numbers at hand where I am at the moment.
You could also try your local performance/race car shop otherwise ebay will have what you need.

 

[EricV]

While Ox and I have custom flatbed fuel cells, you can put together a generic design for much less cost. I can't offer you a part number that's going to help you. Part of the question is how much fuel do you want to carry? There are many racing oriented fuel cells to choose from in aluminum and plastic, but you will need to figure out how to mount it securely. Some companies like Tour-Tank offer brackets. Note: Their tanks tend to hold more volume than advertised, (bad if you need to stick to a set limit).

Here is a picture of the bottom of my tank with the bulkhead fitting installed. I believe I chose a different spot than Ox did.

Here is a link to a bulkhead fitting kit that has already been customized for motorcycle tanks.
https://www.maplefarkles.com/index.php/products/plumbing/bh-fitting

Many 3 to 5 gal tanks will work fine. But I don't know what other parameters you have to deal with. Is it ok to take of some of the rear rack space? Or do you need to stay within the rear seat area? (Backrest or top box?) Figuring out those questions and a tape measure should give you some idea of how much horizontal space you have to play with. Many, of not most fuel cells in the pillion seat area are mounted with custom fabricated brackets of some kind. Identify the fastener locations that you can use for your desired set up. That may start some ideas flowing. I used the rear seat bolts under the rider seat for front mounting points. The bracket is bent to go down and under the rider seat.

 

[dirtsailor]

Im looking to just removed the rear seat and keep the OEM rear hard case still mounted so the the aux tank will be flush or close to the hard case. capacity is not an issue. as much as i can get but 3-5 gallons should be fine. my Father in law is a retired navy air framer so he can make some pretty good custom mounts for any thing out of aluminum. But as far as the tank goes im shooting for it just to be gravity feed with a cut off valve and maybe a one way valve and in line filter. But thanks for the start up ideas... I'll keep you posted.

 

[EricV]

Typically the one way valve would not be needed. I always use a set of dry break fittings in the middle, so I can raise the main tank for service, or remove the fuel cell, more easily.

Your last post does narrow the field. You just need to measure the distance between your back and the front of the top case, then subtract some if the lid needs the space to open. A common Jaz 5 gal cell is 12" x12" x 8" high and I don't think you have the space for that. There are other shapes though.

This might work: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/jzp-290-103-nf/overview/ 3 gal, 12" x 7.5" x 10"H It has the port on the bottom that would support gravity feed.

You might check out this site too. Lots of parts as well as tanks. http://www.tourtank.com/parts.html

 

[dirtsailor]

I was checking out the 2.5 tourtank and just mounting it to a plate that would sit where the passenger seat was. Hell i might do dual 2.5's. ) . That would look pretty cool. Lots of tubing but hell 11.1 gallons all togther for the S10 would be insane. Super tanker tenere. ::025:: I'll order the 2,5 and go from there. ::002::

 

[EricV]

11.1 gallons all together for the S10 would be insane. Super tanker tenere.

I have about that. 450 mile range plus some reserve. I used to carry 11.5 on the FJR with a 500 mile range plus reserve. It's nice to ride for 8 hours at highway/interstate speeds and never put a foot down. ;D

 

[TheHelios]

I have about that. 450 mile range plus some reserve. I used to carry 11.5 on the FJR with a 500 mile range plus reserve. It's nice to ride for 8 hours at highway/interstate speeds and never put a foot down. ;D

0.o

That's ridiculous. How much weight does it put on when full? Not having to stop every ~220 miles sounds amazing.

 

[EricV]

0.o

That's ridiculous. How much weight does it put on when full? Not having to stop every ~220 miles sounds amazing.

Gas weighs about 6.3 lbs per gal, varying by density. Not quite 5 gallons extra fuel, so about 31 lbs. The cell is baffled and you don't notice the change from full to empty, plus it drains with the main, not all at once. I did upgrade the shock spring weight for the rally load I carry, witch includes tools, water, etc. and is closer to two up weight. Most people would not need to change springs just because of a fuel cell, unless it was huge. I've seen 21+ gallons on a bike.

 

[OX-34]

EricV is right, I went down the right side.

My first tank on the S10 was an off the shelf 5 gallon JAZ tank that I had lying around the shed from a previous Honda Blackbird installation.






I could have kept the rear rack without too much trouble.


With a pelican case on top you lose no storage capacity, nor functionality..




And you can mount it pretty securely ::010::

 

[Madhatter]

the iron butt assc. guys should have info on auxilary tanks and requirements just incase you decide to do an iron butt rally. they have standards already in place , be a shame to be all rigged upped and out of compliance with the IBA....unless you have no plans for that , then go for it... also ride on adventure i believe sell a super tanker version of a replacement gas tank.....its only money....

 

[EricV]

the iron butt assc. guys should have info on auxilary tanks and requirements just incase you decide to do an iron butt rally. they have standards already in place , be a shame to be all rigged upped and out of compliance with the IBA....unless you have no plans for that , then go for it... also ride on adventure i believe sell a super tanker version of a replacement gas tank.....its only money....

FYI - Ox & I both did the IBR in '13, on our S10s. Came in pretty close to each other. I'm IBA #488. I was also a tech inspector for '11. The 11.5 gallon limit and rule for baffles or foam apply only to the Iron Butt Rally itself, and other rallies that use those rules, not the certificate rides which are solo endeavors.

And yes, Jaxon at Ride On ADV will make you a super size main tank, (a really nice one too), but I don't recall just how large he will go. IIRC, the couple previously made were in the 9 gallon range, but I may be mistaken.

 

[Madhatter]

i would like to do an iron butt, but i have an aluminum butt God gave me.... the quest for a better seat is on.... about 150 miles on stock seat and i need to get off.... extra fuel for me would be unnessary.... for those who can ride like that , i take my hat off to you... i could see having an extra supply but how much ? the bike is heavy enough, and i guess like everything else its all about preferenses and need... out west greater distance between fuel stops , in central texas a gas station about every corner you come to... but i am intrigued with the thought of long range running....let the ideas flow.........

 

[EricV]

There are two truisms you will hear often in the LD community. 1. Never pass known gas for unknown gas. 2. The more gas you have, the farther away from civilization you can get before running out.

One of the main benefits of having more fuel is that you can get gas when you want to, not when you need to.

 

[JackBurns40]

I'm contemplating adding a Maple Farkles cell from IBPete mounted to an AltRider pillion luggage rack to replace the RotoPax cell I'm currently carrying. I headed up to the Yukon and over to Hyder this summer and want to have a bit more capacity.

 

[2014Tenere]

Having ridden to these locations a number of times, fuel is not really a issue but always make sure you have a full tank by 10pm. Many stations close by 10pm.

 

[EricV]

::026:: to what 2014Tenere said, only I'd move that up to 6pm in places like Hyder. When the wife and I rode up to Yukon/AK stopping at hyder on the way, gas wasn't an issue, even though she was carrying 9 gallons and I 11 gals. The folks taking off pavement routes were all carrying extra gas, just in case, but most of the time you could get by with 200 mile range and be fine.

 

[RockyDS]

::026:: to what 2014Tenere said, only I'd move that up to 6pm in places like Hyder. When the wife and I rode up to Yukon/AK stopping at hyder on the way, gas wasn't an issue, even though she was carrying 9 gallons and I 11 gals. The folks taking off pavement routes were all carrying extra gas, just in case, but most of the time you could get by with 200 mile range and be fine.

Nice fuel set up you have EricV and yes, gas isn't a problem really. Extra fuel is just good insurance and you'd only use it on a leg like Dawson City to Eagle Plains on the Dempster, which is a 250 mile / 400 km stretch.

I just use a rotopax. Not as convenient, but cost-effective.

 

[EricV]

Exactly RockyDS. ::008:: If I wasn't doing LD endurance rallies, the fuel cell would be over kill, and as you said, not cost effective. For traveling, you have the time to stop and smell the roses, (or feed the mosquitos!), and the extra time to use a Rotopax is no big deal.