Auxilary Fuel Tank for the VTX?

[VTProf]

Has anyone ever seen an Auxilary Fuel Tank that can be added to the VTX? Is this something we could get through HDL?

Indeed, is it technically and practically feasible to do the plumbing for an auxilary fuel tank mounted on the luggage rack?

4 more gallons of fuel with an Airhawk RoHo seat cushion and the VTX could cover some major miles (OK, decent miles, hehe) between stops.

Jim

[Dallas Retro]

Hmmm...

Since the 1800 has a fuel pump (?), I guess we could mount a couple of jerry cans in lieu of saddles bags, and with the right plumbing it ought to work.

That'd give us nearly 15 gallons of fuel; How about 500 miles between stops?!!

[VTProf]

Believe it or not I've actually found two different aux gas tank systems on the market. One is a NASCAR type fuel "bladder" that fits in a Champion hard bag. Since I don't have those I'm studying system number 2. It's a tank you can mount on the luggage rack. Apparently, it uses a pump to move the fuel into your main tank. Need to do more research to understand exactly how it works.

Jim

[Cookie Monster]

I have gone on several long trips on the VTX, Some routes the fuel stops were farther then the VTX's Fuel capacity. So I took some backpackers 0ne litre fuel cells and stowed them. I would make a quick stop stretch my legs for a few minutes and empty the fuels cells into the thirsty VTX's fuel tank. This enables me to go another 50 or 60 miles.

Cookie Monster

[VTProf]

That's a great idea! Can you recommend a brand/model that worked well for you?

Also, can these fuel cells be refuel at the gas pump?

Jim

[thundering zephyr]

Strap one a these suckers on your luggage rack an you'll go 400 miles without stopping!!

http://image.basspro.com/images/images2/42500/42540.jpg

[Cookie Monster]

Vtprof,

here is a site check them out , you can go to any outfitters and they will have them, Yes can be refilled at gas stations besure to keep a funnel with you thou. http://backcountry-equipment.com/stoves ... ottle.html (http://backcountry-equipment.com/stoves/msr_al_fuel-bottle.html) , MSR makes the best thou,

Cookie Monster

[VTProf]

Thanks Cookie Monster!

The MRS 1 liter can looks good and isn't too expensive.

I did a little searching and also found the Kolpin® ATV Fuel Pack Jr.

Here are some details:

Holds 1 1/4 gallons of fuel
High-density cross-link polyethylene
Sturdy construction allows additional gear to be stacked on top of pack
Fits flat on luggage rack
Measures 12 x 3 1/2 x 13" h.

Looks like it's about $40 on the Internet. Anyone know anything about these?

Jim

[Leprechaun]

I've done a lot of googling and watching on this topic, including having a nice guy in the northwest go for a measure up with someone who makes belly tanks for supercharged Valks. Here's a thread of a nice setup http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=700534&highlight=#700534 Since the X has fuel injection you would need a pump for any tank, or have to pull over to re-load the main tank. I just got an old hard bags and trunk setup from a late 70's Gold Wing off of Ebay and might try to fit 3 or 4 gallons in the trunk.
Hal at HDL has spoken of a bigger tank but I think the custom folks have first priority.

[VTProf]

Thanks for the update, Leprechaun. A system like that might be very helpful.

Jim

Vtprof,

MSR makes the best thou,



I agree. I don't go that big, but have two 20 or 30 oz bottles that I keep in one of my bags. Good for a few miles anyway.

[Extremetwin]

I thought I'd throw my .02 in on this one. I need to get off every once in awhile, still on a stock seat. I've got 2 of the 30-33 oz MSR bottles. I lightly sanded them down and painted them to match my X then heavy clear coat. Found a billet fire ext. mount in an old "Speedway Motors" catalog. I'm having them polished and will mount them under my luggage rack. As soon as I can borrow a camera, I'll post pics. Hope this helps.
The Twin

[Dallas Retro]

Hey, if you do that right, you can make it look like a heavy-duty nitrous set-up! :lol:

[chrisnsav]

take one of these..
http://i15.ebayimg.com/01/i/03/ef/c1/a4_2.JPG

and put a small tank in it?

[danX]

Thanks Cookie Monster!

The MRS 1 liter can looks good and isn't too expensive.

I did a little searching and also found the Kolpin® ATV Fuel Pack Jr.

Here are some details:

Holds 1 1/4 gallons of fuel
High-density cross-link polyethylene
Sturdy construction allows additional gear to be stacked on top of pack
Fits flat on luggage rack
Measures 12 x 3 1/2 x 13" h.

Looks like it's about $40 on the Internet. Anyone know anything about these?

Jim

I like the looks of the Kolpin Fuel Packs. The Junior--the 1.25 gallon--looks like the best fit. I like that they can be stacked; it's easy to tailor the number of tanks for the specific trip. On the other hand, there is something to be said for carrying two regular Kolpin Fuel Tanks which will carry a total of 6.5 gallons.

I'm planning a trip to Alaska, via Calgary, Banff, Jasper, etc., and I've spoken to/written to a couple of folks who have gone to Alaska, and who have said that I should plan to carry extra gas for a couple of parts of the trip. I'm getting 33 to 35 mpg, average, so I'm hitting reserve at about 125-130 miles, which means that I can reliably run 150 to 155 miles before I'm running on fumes.

Question ... I understand the need to use a pump for the 1800 because it is fuel injected, but I ride a 1300 which is carbureted. Can the Kolpin and other portable tanks be set up to feed directly into the main fuel tank? If so, does anyone have any idea about how to do this in a low-tech but safe way, or is it better to just stop and manually fill the main tank by pouring in gasoline from the Kolpin Fuel Pack?

[Leprechaun]

Hey Dan, I'm in Scottsbluff and know how to pronounce Beatrice :D Plumbing up a 1300 should be a breeze as long as the aux. tank is higher than the main tank. Put a one way check valve in the line and use quick connectors, you should use a vent line too like the post from Marshauto on his setup http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=700534&highlight=#700534 except you don't need a pump. I guess you have a choice of plumbing it to the main tank or the main tanks fuel line, probably easier to just put a T in the fuel line. Post some pics when your done. Go Huskers, Lep

[danX]

Thanks for the clear instructions, Lep. I think I can handle it. One of the benefits of a carbureted system is the simplicity of a procedure like adding an auxiliary fuel tank. It may be easier to simply stop the bike and pour in the gas from a portable tank, but, on the other hand, I am intrigued by the idea of running for 300 or 400 miles without stopping. I don't know if my butt will like it, but the Ultimate Low Rider with Backrest might make it very feasible.

Nebraska's pronunciation of Beatrice ... gotta love it :wink:

Yep ... GO HUSKERS!!!!!!!!!! 8) 8) 8) 8)

[MoreRoadAhead]

here is an idea; Tourbuddy. A real gas tank; the one in the pic is 17" wide by 11" front-to-back and 5 1/2" high. Looks like a thought. You would have to make a support for it to mount ie on a rear rack but suddenly you have 16 more litres in an approved container.
$99US according to the website. I don't know anything other than this about it but it sure looks interesting.

http://www.tourbuddy.com/atv.shtml

[maskedman72]

That's a great idea! Can you recommend a brand/model that worked well for you?

Also, can these fuel cells be refuel at the gas pump?

Jim

we carried sigg bottles when we were on our tour.
got them at a camping store. they are for white gas.