Looking for a convenient way to carry extra gas...in case...

[legup]

Anyone know of a convenient method for carrying extra gasoline on a long trip (just in case)... i usually plan pretty well, but almost ran out in the hills of PA once... plus, i like to ride at night... is there a pre-sealed container of gas or something on the market? how does everyone else do this? does anyone else do this?

[ironmorph]

Consider hooking up a fuel cell. It takes all the guess work out of it. Try this:

http://tourtank.com/


8)

[Todd2]

I've run out a few times, myself. :oops: We actually coasted down a long hill into a gas station once. We (1800-C and V-Star 1100) BOTH ran out of gas and coasted 3/4 mile, or so!

Take a close look at my avatar. The red can is a 2 gal. gas can strapped to the rear shelf of my bike for a 5,400 mile x-country trip (never needed it that time, but man I came close once).

Those plastic gas cans will work, but I do not like putting them inside saddlebags. They seem to leave a gasoline oder. To carry gas inside saddlebags, try MSR backpacker's stove fuel bottles. They can be found at outdoor stores that carry backpacker's stoves. They are made of aluminum and come in various sizes and seal gas tight. A couple of the larger ones and a funnel will get you out of a jam.

Todd

[ironmorph]

I just have not figured out how to pour them in the tank while cruising at 80, yet. My new touring set up rocks!

[Todd2]

LOL, What's the matter Clem? You got something against gasoline soaked balls burning in the sun? :shock:

I saw the pics of your aux tank set-up. Looks good! How long does it take to refill your main tank by gravity feed? I'd guess it just levels out somewhere between the two and both tanks slowly go down together as you use gas. I'm questioning the 'vented' gas cap capacity to keep up with my pump. I need to be able to pump my aux tank dry in about 10 mins, or so.

I ran into a bit of a snag trying to mount that fuel pump on mine this weekend. Its mounted, now, but man what a beotch - my hands are just too big. I should be up and running this coming weekend. 8) I'll post pics in your "AUX fuel cell" thread, when I'm done. Its getting to be quite a bit of work to set this thing up, but it ought to work well when I'm done (at least I hope so, I'm starting to use up my available time).

BTW - what is yours mounted to and how is it attached?

Later.

Todd

[ironmorph]

I currently have my aux tank running independently of the main, I am running straight through the aux tank at this time. It by-passes the main, and can run seperately from it. I run through the extra tank, then my main, then reserve. I have a channel set up that I quickly mounted to the rivco rack, since the nipple requires so much room to make the 90 degree turn and miss the rack. It places the tank higher than I'd like to put it, so I may be fabricating a new bracket soon. I will post a pic later.

8)

[Todd2]

Ohhhhhhhhh. So do you 1) turn your main tank off, by the petcock, have the aux tank valve open and run the aux 'dry' first? Then 2) turn your main tank on and your aux tank off, until, you hit reserve. Then 3) switch to your main tank reserve. If you didn't turn your aux tank off (in step 2)you could backfeed it, but I guess it wouldn't really matter, because both tanks would just even out and then slowly get used up. Finally, with both tanks full I assume you keep them isolated so you don't overflow your main tank?

Thanks. I'm trying to learn for the V-Sttar 1100 installation I'll have to do next.

Yeah, that fitting connection.....how did you like that straight barb fitting that came with the tank? Some dual sport riders just drill a hole through their rear fenders and feed the fuel line straight down through it, and then under the fender. I didn't like that option much, for some reason. :wink:

Glad you like your set up.

Todd

[ironmorph]

Ohhhhhhhhh. So do you 1) turn your main tank off, by the petcock, have the aux tank valve open and run the aux 'dry' first? Then 2) turn your main tank on and your aux tank off, until, you hit reserve. Then 3) switch to your main tank reserve. If you didn't turn your aux tank off (in step 2)you could backfeed it, but I guess it wouldn't really matter, because both tanks would just even out and then slowly get used up. Finally, with both tanks full I assume you keep them isolated so you don't overflow your main tank?

Thanks. I'm trying to learn for the V-Sttar 1100 installation I'll have to do next.

Yeah, that fitting connection.....how did you like that straight barb fitting that came with the tank? Some dual sport riders just drill a hole through their rear fenders and feed the fuel line straight down through it, and then under the fender. I didn't like that option much, for some reason. :wink:

Glad you like your set up.

Todd
Yes I turn my main off via petcock, I use the aux first, then the main/res, like you said. I do keep the tanks isolated, for the many reaosns that you stated.

I can't get over that they do not ship a 90 degree fitting for the bottom. That is the only thing I don't like about the the tank, besides I would rather the fitting be placed on one end myself.

I am still working on the whole project, so nothing is complete at this time. Here is a pic of the frame work.

http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/503/1997auxfuel_002-med.jpg

take care 8)

[ssurowiec]

I rode out to sturgis last year. with me I brought 2 MSR Fuel Bottles http://www.rei.com/product/47575376.htm Strapped to the sides of the Rack (like NOS bottles) these bottles are about $12 and give you about 33oz each. you can also easily pack them in your bag. Its a nice comfort to have a few extra miles ( i figure about 15-20 miles capacity) for only a couple of bucks and NO Mods.

[ironmorph]

I rode out to sturgis last year. with me I brought 2 MSR Fuel Bottles http://www.rei.com/product/47575376.htm Strapped to the sides of the Rack (like NOS bottles) these bottles are about $12 and give you about 33oz each. you can also easily pack them in your bag. Its a nice comfort to have a few extra miles ( i figure about 15-20 miles capacity) for only a couple of bucks and NO Mods.

Can you fuel while moving? :? If your doing IBA rides, the mod with the tourtank or a home made jobbie is the way to fly. I use mine each weekend, and I am in love with the added fuel capacity! 8)

[ssurowiec]

Nope. its just a little extra ... I agree it would be nice to have that extra capacity ... There were times when i would stop to refuel after only 30 miles there are some places in the country where gas staions are sparce. I never used my emergency rations but stopping frequiently definately slowed the pace.

I am tempted to get the tank ... but i would rather not have to have the extra fuel pump. I heard some are trying this with a feed through the vent line. how hard / easy is it to remove the tank when its not in use? I'm hoping to drive from nashville to Seattle this summer ... the extra Fuel would be a nice comfort.

[ironmorph]

Nope. its just a little extra ... I agree it would be nice to have that extra capacity ... There were times when i would stop to refuel after only 30 miles there are some places in the country where gas staions are sparce. I never used my emergency rations but stopping frequiently definately slowed the pace.

I am tempted to get the tank ... but i would rather not have to have the extra fuel pump. I heard some are trying this with a feed through the vent line. how hard / easy is it to remove the tank when its not in use? I'm hoping to drive from nashville to Seattle this summer ... the extra Fuel would be a nice comfort.

Todd has done it to his 1800, and there is another post of going through the vent line to fill. I have mine on a gravity feed to my carbed 1300, I absolutely love it. I really thought I would take it off, but I like it too much. I can a ride an entire day and most bikes fill 3 to my one fill.

It's really easy to take off, maybe 5 minutes most. I have mine all quick disconnect fittings, 2 bolts off the tank, I quick release, it's off. The line stays put under the seat. See my pics form the ifrst post, you'll see what I did.

take care 8)