auxiliary fuel tank...this is too cool!!!

[Dangerous_Dave]

Somebody sent me this from another forum. Waaaay too cool. Auxiliary fuel tank that looks like a bedroll. They even have a pic of one installed on a 1300 Retro. I might have to get one of these. http://www.tourtank.com/tourtank20.html They offer a larger model as well, but it's kinda ugly. Anybody here tried one of these?

[TASSY5]

Pretty sweet set up for long distant riding on the hwys.

[Big-G]

Wonder how you could get it to work with the 1800's.

Looks good though. Best I have seen anyway.

[bluto]

I've been tossing this idea around for a while now. I think what is needed (at least for the 1800s) is an inline fuel pump, a check valve and T into the return line. I've been looking for a small inline fuel pump (with no luck) that I could mount either under one of the side covers or under the tank in the space the stock airbox used to utilize.

[wytnyt]

wouldnt it gravity feed into the main tank since it is mounted higher than the original fuel tank?

[hilf]

This will be great for riding the haul road up to Prudhoe Bay, AK. I'd just use it to fill up the tank with a siphon pump. I like the bigger model. Reminds me of a small beer keg.

[bluto]

wouldnt it gravity feed into the main tank since it is mounted higher than the original fuel tank?

Not through the return line it won't. There is some pressure there that the pump would have to overcome. If you wanted to add another fitting to the tank then it would probably work. The easiest solution is HILF's, just pull over and siphon it over to the main tank when you need it.

editted to add: this is only true on the 1800s. If you are on a 1300 machine, a fuel pump is not required as there is no return line. On a 1300 I would simply T into the supply line from the tank (on the reserve side). This way, when you flip over to reserve, you start using the fuel on the back of the bike.

[Todd2]

HEY! Just what I was looking for. The 1800 will backfill the auxilary tank from the return line. You will need a check valve at a minimum, but everyone who has done it added a fuell pump, also, or a fuel pump with a built in check valve.

Anyone complete this set up. I'm seroiusly considering it.

Todd

[Todd2]

Well, I have the large version (3.5 gal.) bolted on my 1800-C rear rack - right where the red gas can is in my avatar. Based on the pics off the website and my quick measurements, I figured out a design in my head that would bolt right up! Then it arrived - bolt up? - yeah right! :oops: A few mods later and I'm "good to go".

As for a fuel pump: I ordered a NOS low-pressure aux. pump. I do not know the overall size yet, but someone else mounted it to a motorcycle for NOS injection (so it should work). It will take me about 10 minutes to pump my "beer keg" into my front tank, while traveling down the road (I do not want to stop). This should let me go 250 miles, before I start worrying.

However, I would think a motorcycle low-press fuel pump would be smallest, and work well. I'm not talking fuel injection pumps, but one used for OEM aux tanks for carburated motorcycles. They are low pressure, but I do not know the volume they are capable of. The late 90's Yamaha Virago 535 had one. Also, I know the curent Yamaha V-star 1100 has one (I hear it crank up with the key). I had an extra old Virago pump, but I moved, so I know I'll still have it for a looong time to come - somewhere. :wink: Any other ideas, or systems that have worked?

Waiting on plumbing parts to arrive. I assume nylon tube fittings are fuel friendly?

Todd

[ironmorph]

I just bought my 3.5 tank and will post when I get it set up. As I am looking at my bike, I can see it is going in the direction of a touring machine. I will have a 300+ mile capacity, which should make it so I want to stop and get off at that point. I find that I like the twin motor but I like touring with it the most. I wish Honda would set one up so we wouldn't have to recreate this. But then again, maybe that is half the fun 8)

[Todd2]

Iron,

That's what 'custom' bikes are all about :) . If you have the patience to work out all the little kinks along the way. Did you really buy the 3.5 gallon Tourtank? That's the one I just mounted to my C. I see you have an R with the bigger tank- lucky !@#$%^. :shock:

I got my fittings today from McMaster-Carr - fair price - good service. I was worried about the old "big company attitiude" - you'll get it when I'm dam* good and ready to honor you with my shipment. But....NOT A PROBLEM - someone, somewhere, taught them about GREAT internet service (Hal?) :) (and bad mouthers/PRAISERS like me). Lots of individual pieces - not one misplaced fitting in the box. I'll buy from them again, anytime (online, again, of course!). They will even teach you online, how to size the NPT for the bottom of your aux tank! (Its 1/4" pipe size by the way - trust me, mine fits - the THREADED END, that is!). Older VTX return lines are 1/4 inch tubing size - at least on the -02 C. 5/16ths are common fuel line sizes on bikes. Good luck!


OK, OK - so what's your design idea. I assume you have an 1800 (I didn't look carefully at your avatar earlier). If so, you have a high pressure fuel pump for the injectors. Where do you plan on tying in to your motorcycle tank? How do you plan on tranferring fuel (electric fuel pump, gravity, hand pump, siphone by mouth on the side of the road :roll: )? You and I are on the same time schedule (except I travel A LOT for work). I'm pressed for design, install and TEST time.

This will be fun. Take care.

Todd

[ironmorph]

I have both an 1800 and a 1300. But I really love my 1300, so that is my touring machine. I will mount it and put pics. I will be able to do 300+ miles then 8) It has just gravity feed so it's a simple taks, except for the brackets. The VTX has a 3/8 line. I measured it and as well as tried the fittings. I have found no quick disconect for the 3/8 yet.

take care,

[Todd2]

Iron, You have it easier with carbs than my fuel injected set up. If my 1800 works out well, I'll be installing a similar setup on a V-Star, so I'll be interested in your carb set up also. Thanks.

I very quickly searched www.mcmaster.com (http://www.mcmaster.com) for 3/8" tube, quick disconnect couplings. See just a few examples below from page 165. They have lots of styles in various body materials and o-rings. I just ordered my fittings from them and was satisfied with their service. If you're still looking for 3/8" tube size, it might be worth your time to check them out:


Quick-Disconnect Tube Couplings

Acetal Quick-Disconnect Tube Couplings

General Purpose Sockets with Type 301 SS Thumb Latch
General Purpose Plugs


SOCKET x MALE PIPE
Straight Shut-Off Coupler Pipe Through Valve
Size* (A) Size Each Each
1/4" 7/16" 3/8" 5012K62 6.00 5012K76 6.74

PLUG x MALE PIPE
Straight Shut-Off Coupler Pipe Through Valve
Size* (B) Size Each Each
1/4" 7/16" 3/8" 5012K74 1.32 5012K88 6.87

SOCKET x COMPRESSION END
For Straight Shut-Off Coupler Tube Through Valve
Size* (A) OD Each Each
1/4" 7/16" 3/8" 5012K66 9.73 5012K81 10.50


PLUG x COMPRESSION END
For Straight Shut-Off Coupler Tube Through Valve
Size* (B) OD Each Each
1/4" 7/16" 3/8" 5012K69 4.01 5012K84 8.28

PANEL-MOUNT SOCKET x COMPRESSION END
For Straight Shut-Off Coupler Tube Through Valve
Size* (A) OD Each Each
1/4" 7/16" 3/8" 5012K63 12.77 5012K77 13.89


PANEL-MOUNT PLUG x COMPRESSION END
For Straight Shut-Off Coupler Tube Through Valve
Size* (B) OD Each Each
1/4" 7/16" 3/8" 5012K495 7.15 5012K496 10.99

SOCKET x BARB
For Straight Shut-Off Coupler Tube Through Valve
Size* (A) ID Each Each
1/4" 7/16" 3/8" 5012K68 5.66 5012K83 6.90

PLUG x BARB
For Straight Shut-Off Coupler Tube Through Valve
Size* (B) ID Each Each
1/4" 7/16" 3/8" 5012K72 1.37 5012K86 6.78

PANEL-MOUNT SOCKET x BARB
For Straight Shut-Off Coupler Tube Through Valve
Size* (A) ID Each Each
1/4" 7/16" 3/8" 5012K65 12.04 5012K79 13.47


PANEL-MOUNT PLUG x BARB
For Straight Shut-Off Coupler Tube Through Valve
Size* (B) ID Each Each
1/4" 7/16" 3/8" 5012K97 5.43 5012K98 9.84


Food & Beverage Compliant Sockets with Plastic Thumb Latch
Food & Beverage Compliant Plugs

SOCKET x MALE PIPE
Straight Shut-Off Coupler Pipe Through Valve
Size* (A) Size Each Each
1/4" 3/8" 3/8" 5923K22 2.98 5923K24 5.41


PLUG x MALE PIPE
Straight
Coupler Pipe Through Shut-Off Valve
Size* (B) Size Each Each
1/4" 3/8" 3/8" 5923K52 2.15 5923K54 2.96

SOCKET x COMPRESSION END
Coupler For Shut-Off Valve
Size* (A) Tube OD Each
1/4" 3/8" 3/8" 5923K32 8.93


PLUG x COMPRESSION END
Coupler For Shut-Off Valve
Size* (B) Tube OD Each
1/4" 3/8" 3/8" 5923K62 7.10

SOCKET x BARB
For Straight Shut-Off
Coupler Tube Through Valve
Size* (A) ID Each Each
1/4" 3/8" 3/8" 5923K42 1.68 5923K44 5.09

PLUG x BARB
For Straight
Coupler Tube Through Shut-Off Valve
Size* (B) ID Each Each
1/4" 3/8" 3/8" 5923K72 1.15 5923K74 6.65

PLUG x ELBOW BARB
Coupler For Straight Through Shut-Off Valve
Size* (B) Tube ID Each
Each
1/4" 3/8" 3/8" 5923K82 2.67 5923K84 8.13


* Coupler size is an industry designation, see (A) or (B) for actual size.

[ironmorph]

Todd, thanks for the great info. They do have a 3/8 quick disconnect so I am luck. I plan on maybe keeping it on more than off, so maybe a quick disconnect is not in order.

I plan on making my unit gravity feed, since were all carbs on the 1300. It will sit in the rear rivco rack, and I know I'll have to figure out some bracket design. I may run my tank the long way, so my bags are fully functional.

The older I get the more convenient it has to be. I am a pragmatist, therefore, my gear is made to weather anything. I like stuff that has high utility, even if it's not shiney. I like mods that make riding a pleasure. I don't care really what any one else thinks. Adding a tank looks ugly, but has high utility. Gearing up for the long hauls I plan on doing this summer.

take care,
Iron 8)

[Todd2]

Ironmorph,

Consider future servicing issues - a quick disconnect that has dual valves may just come in handy some day (at the most inconvenient time). At least that's what I'm considering, at the moment - we'll see.

Well, all my parts arrived while I was out of town. :D Including my fuel pump that I hooked up to a battery on the kitchen counter to pump from the dog's waterbowl through hoses draped over the cabinet door into the kitchen sink. Yeah, yeah, I caught hell by my G/F when she came home and saw the set up. :( Standing back away from it, I guess it really didn't have much to do with meal preparation (but hell, the parts were all new - not dirty or greasy or nothing, like her cookin... well, I'll leave that one alone.....oh well :roll: ). But on the bright side, it worked really well!!! :D - and I travel alot -so she calmed down by the time I returned. 8)

Looks like tomorrow will be a "build day" for me. Good luck with your project - hope all is goes well.

Todd

[ironmorph]

Hey Todd,

Did not get my stuff yet, and I was a little disappointed from the long delivery time. I am off to Daytona at this time and will be working on my set up next week, maybe if it gets here. I will be sure to post a pic once I get it set up. I am running it length wise to keep my bagger working and fully functional.

Off to Daytona to meet Hal and the crew!

Take care
Clem 8)