Auxiliary Tourtank 3.5 gal. - another install [Archive]

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Todd2

03-19-2006, 04:12 AM

Well it’s finally done! :) (at least version 1.0). I installed a Tourtank 3.5 gallon auxiliary gas tank www.Tourtank.com (http://www.Tourtank.com) mounted on a Hondaline rear shelf of a 2002 VTX 1800 C. This install requires an aux. electric fuel pump and cut-off valve in order to work properly the way I hooked it up (I have other ideas). :wink: The newer VTX models with an external fuel pump (NOT inside the bike's gas tank) will install differently (possibly without needing and aux. fuel pump).

Thanks to y'all that went before me and helped me out tremendously with ideas and suggestions. I really appreciate your help, and consequently, I'm returning the favor by posting my install to give others ideas to choose (or not to choose) from. I do not claim to have the optimum installation (yet). This is Version 1, a work in progress, I'll test it out on my IBA BBG 1500mile/24hr run in a few weeks and make any required mods accordingly.

DISCALIMER: Do not attempt this installation - you will die in a fiery crash - period :!: If you do choose to ignore my warnings and commit suicide, after you die, and you surely will, do not (or do not have your survivors) sue me - sue my ex-wife instead, that beotch has all my money anyway. :wink:

OK- on to the installation (I just figured out how to make the pics post larger than thumbnail - had to go back and change them all. :oops: ) Man, this uploading and posting crap is.... ummmm.... finicky.

http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/500/599sideview_small-med.jpg
Side view of entire bike with 3.5 gal. Tourtank installed on rear shelf. There are no interference problems (i.e. saddlebag lids open, tailight isn't blocked from view, passenger cannot tell its there, etc.).

http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/500/599rear_view_small-med.jpg
Rear view with Tourtank installed. It looks bigger at this angle than it really is for some reason (but it'll give you a good idea if you are considering the 5.0 gal. tank) - possibly because I'm standing up close to the bike (a car would be much farther back). Also, proof I didn't kill her after she dumped 1 gal of gas on me (see previous post). She can't figure out why the he!! she's being made to sit on the wet driveway, though (poor, abused, mistreated, spoiled rotten, over fed, ~2 yr old stray rescued baby).

http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/500/599Pump_small-med.jpg
NOS low pressure fule pump with insulated wire loom hangers I used to mount the pump to the bike.

http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/500/599pump_installed_small-med.jpg
View under bike, shot from rear tire facing forward. Auxiliary fuel pump mounted to transverse cross member of frame just in front of rear tire. I used 8 wire loom hangers - four 1 1/2" to wrap around the pump and four 1 1/4" to clamp to the frame member. Use clear silicone sealer to 'glue' rubber to clamps and to 'glue' to the pump and to 'glue' to the frame rail. Use 2 sets facing forward and 2 sets facing rearward for support. There is no room for anything to move later (swingarm movement). There is no room to route the fuel lines (wrapped in wire loom coil for abrasion protection). There is no room to install any of this either. :x This is clearly the hardest part of the install - there is just no room to work.

http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/500/599tank_mount_side_small-med.jpg
Side view of tank bolted to rear Hondaline shelf. OK - the tank will not bolt to the rear shelf. I made two 1/4" thick x 1" wide mounting plates (from strip steel). Note how the bolts attach (L to R) - tank strap to plate (overhangs the shelf), plate to shelf (look closely - this one lines it all up), tank strap to plate (does NOT bolt to shelf), plate to shelf (easiest). Paint with high gloss black enamel. Cook in kitchen oven @ 200 *F overnight. Do NOT tell G/F what you did while she was out of town on buisness. :wink:

http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/500/599tank_mount_rear_small-med.jpg
Rear view of tank bolted to shelf. Note 2 'plates', one under each tank strap. Also, note right angle copper fitting coming out of the Tourtank and the fuel line attached to bolts with 1/2" insulated wire loom hangars (reform ALL hangars into a round shape before installation). I cut the center 'bar' section out of the Hondaline shelf. If you do not want to do this you will need to make spacers to raise the Tourtank above the rear shelf in order to make enough room to run the right angle fuel fitting and fuel lines on the top side of the shelf. Obviously, I chose to run mine underneath the shelf.

http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/500/599tank_mount_top_small-med.jpg
Top view showing why I spaced the Tourtank hold down straps where it did (to fit in between the Honda backrest supports - I have 1/4" min. space - but that can't be seen in the pic.). You can mount them on the outside, but then you see the strap bolts and then the straps won't mount directly to the Hondaline shelf (spaced too wide to bolt to shelf - see pic above).

http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/500/599routing_side_small-med.jpg
Side view of bike with tank propped up w/ 2x4 showing routing of fuel lines. Note red 'cap' to cut-off valve and 1/4" copper tee (barely discernable) to FI return line. The high pressure FI fuel line has been disconnected and temorarily moved to the left to gain access to the return line. I switched from grey 5/16" Tygon tubing to 1/4" black fuel line above the rear cylinder with a reducing fitting. A 5/16" tee will NOT fit in the return line - use 1/4" max (its actually meteric something or other). I have lots of extra stuff in this view because I have lots of extra stuff on my bike (like the electronic cruise control modual between the two cylinders).

http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/500/599side_view_finish_small-med.jpg
Finished view. Cut-off valve cap painted black. Temporary (perm swith to arrive in a few weeks) electrical swith with LED just to left of key on chrome cover. Honda cleaner residue (white) all over everything. :twisted:

http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/500/599hose_view_small-med.jpg
View from right hand side showing only section of fuel line visible crossing over any chrome (look at fender rail above shock mount). That huge "scratch" on my saddle bag is just a reflection of a florescent light in my garage (I swear).

OK, if you made it this far then I'll tell you about cons to this system.

1) There is absolutely no room to mount that fuel pump unless you drop the overflow tank - disconnect the hose from above because there will be no room to reattach it at the tank later after the pump is installed. Routing the fuel lines from the pump is a real beotch. I finally decided on one way going around or through the engine mounts.

2) The auxiliary pump is expensive ($100.00) and it takes 1/2 HOUR [EDIT: Only < 15 minutes now) to fill the main tank. This is because it has to overcome the FI return line pressure and it only pumps 5.5 psi MAX. It'll empty the aux. tank in 7 minutes with the bike's engine off, but not near that fast with the FI pump running. I would probably recommend you buy a different pump, but I do not know which one, sooooo.......... My set-up works, but I expected more. I'm disappointed in this regard.

3) I would not use Tygon tubing again. It is expensive, seems to get dirty really easily, its grey (not more easily hidden black) and I cannot see any advantage over QUALITY (Gates) standard fuel ine. Yes, it is more flexible, but it kinks easier too, so who cares? Why use it - enlighten me.

4) The 3.5 gallon tank will hold only 3 gallons while being filled to the bottom of the filler neck with the bike leaning over on the sidestand. You may be able to get more in if the bilke is upright (but its behond you). I spilled gas out at 3 gallons, so I stopped there. However, on a positive note, it seams to suck every drop out of the aux. tank while riding.

Finally, (especially, cause I'm tired of typing), this system works adequately, but can use improvement - use it as a starting point for your aux tank install. Hope it helped to provide a few ideas. And again, thanks all for helping me.

Iron Butt Association Bun Burner Gold 1500miles/24hours, April 8th. Whish me (and this set up) luck!

Todd

P.S. Post your set-ups!

ironmorph

03-19-2006, 08:59 AM

Todd, excellent set up and posting ! Your looks much neater than mine, partly because I have the propensity to rush things quite a bit. I am doing a bbg on the same day, if the weather holds. Weather has to be ideal for me to do it, otherwise I will wait.

I changed my set up to horizontal like yours this weekend. I am about to try it out for a 300 miler ina few minutes. I again ran mine off my rivco rack, since I hate my rear seat, and the Mrs. rides her own.

Take care,
Iron
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/503/19972ndtryauxfuel_014-med.jpg

bluto

03-20-2006, 02:35 PM

Todd, thanks for the excellent write up! I am gonna tackle this project soon. I think I am going to try and mount my fuel pump under the tank in the space the old air box used to occupy. There is a ton of room there. That may also help reduce the draining time since there will only be about a foot of fuel line before the tank (assuming the pump is self priming) and at approximately the same elevation. I also like your idea of putting an additional fitting on the fuel pump plate. There are a bunch of fuel safe bukhead fittings that do not need to be welded in place.

Where did you find that fuel pump? It is alot smaller than the ones I have seen. I have also thought about putting the pump in the tank itself which would make the on/off a much simpler and cleaner operation. I would have to have a tank made for me in this case.

Great job!

Todd2

03-20-2006, 07:49 PM

Thanks, it was a challenge for me to post it (starting with, how to get the pics out of the camera, and then how to make them small enough to post).

The pump under the tank is a good idea. That way you could use a pump with a mounting plate and attach it to the center box frame. There should be a lot of pump choices out there for you then. My way....well.... it took a lot of thought. :wink:

I know my long drain time is caused by the FI return line pressure. My pump is rated at 18 gal/hr @ 4psi, with a 5.5psi maximum output. It will actually pump 30 gal/hr (whith ALL lines/valve/ fittings hooked up on the bike), but when pumping into an open gas can. It'll only pump 6gal/hr after I hooked it up to the FI return line while the engine was running. [EDIT: It seems to be working much better now, and will pump my aux. tank empty in under 15 minutes.] It can only be two things - the return line pressure or the stock tank vent tube (or a combination of both). However, since its a 5.5psi max. vane pump, I suspect it has a hard time overcoming the return line pressure, thus dropping the volume down considerably, as shown when the engine (and FI pump) is running .

It can't be the pump height placement, since the head pressure of the aux tank (which is slightly higher than the main tank) will cancel out all of the weight of the fuel to reach the main tank. Think of it this way, "Water seeks its own level" and will even both tanks out - by gravity, not pump force. In fact, I can free flow out of a full aux. tank, through my pump, and into my empty main tank - albeit slowly. I checked it out. That's why I installed the cut-off valve in my transfer line. One advantage to a lower pump height is automatic self priming - a point you made earlier. Fuel line length and diameter will make a difference - but a foot or two either way in length - won't bother me much. Diameter will make a bigger difference.

My set-up works just fine, but its not what I would have liked to see (more power, arrrgh).

Since you asked, here is the link to the pump I bought http://www.mpsracing.com/products/NOS/no01y.asp , but by now you know, I do not highly recommend it. [EDIT: It seems to be working much better now, and will pump my aux. tank empty in under 15 minutes.] I'm looking at another one. Its also an inline but makes considerably more pressure. I do not know the size of this pump or how much pressure the VTX fuel pumps puts out, so its still on the drawing board. If it works, I'll post it.

When considering a pump, you want to look at flow and max psi (remember flow will drop off with increasing pressure - especially vane pumps). Diaphram pumps have more positive flow, but man are they noisy and they don't last as long. Also, you want an external pump. An internal pump is designed to be mounted inside a fuel cell in order for the gas to help keep it cool. You could mount an internal pump to the pickup tube in the main tank and use a fuel safe bulhead fitting to plum it back to your aux. tank. You would still need electrical connections also. And that uses up more room in your main tank. Options.... options.......

Something I didn't point out on my earlier post is that I installed bigger bolts to hold the rear shelf to the side rails. The two top bolts are now 10MM instead of the 6MM because of the added weight. The heads just fit into the recessed holes on the outside of the rails, making it a strong set up. You might be able to see this in the "rear view" pic in my first post in this thread. The left hand side is easier to see because the hose does not block the view. All fasteners were stainless steel.

Finally, after the first time I filled up the aux. tank, I noticed rust/sediment/debris from the gasoline station. During the install I added an in line fuel filter next to the battery behind the right hand side cover (the side cover that is painted the same color as your bike). I was touch and go on this idea, but now I'm glad I added the filter - I have enough pump issues.

OK - no more things to think about. I'll try to answer any questions about my set up, just as Ironmorph has about his set-up. Please post your s when you get it done. Thanks an good luck.

Todd

Todd2

03-21-2006, 11:31 PM

Todd2

03-25-2006, 10:27 PM

Jackal666us

03-25-2006, 11:01 PM

sounds like this aux tank idea is really working :D ! i almost have everything i need to install a 3.5 gal tank. my bike is an 05 1800F, so i have an external pump. my theory is to let the aux tank feed into the pump via a 3-way valve that i bought from a boating place. this will allow me to switch between the main tank and the aux tank and not have them backfeeding each other. i will probably run aux tank first and then switch to main so the fuel light will still alert me to fill up. what do you think?

Jackal666us

03-25-2006, 11:06 PM

By the way, Todd, good luck on the bun burner! :D :D :D

Todd2

03-26-2006, 12:20 AM

Jackal666us,

Sorry, I do not think that will work, as you describe it. :shock: When your main tank is full and you 'switch' to your aux. tank (to start a ride), the return fuel, which constantly flows past the FI regulator will still be pumped into a full main tank. All of the gas pumped by the FI pump, minus the gas that is burned to run the bike, will return to the main fuel tank (@ ~5 psi, near as I can tell) - constantly. It can only pump into the main tank (well, with your described set-up). Your main tank will overflow! :cry: Ummmph! :? :?

Lets see........You do not have a main tank cut off valve, like carburated bikes have so you will need a 3-way valve to separate, and switch between, the two tanks - that part's good. (Same thing could be accomplished with 2 on/off valves, but that just complicates matters.)

Ummmmm......... Your set-up can work, but only if you use it differently. Try this (but first, let me get another beer - OK, how's that for instilling confidence):

1) Fill up both tanks with your 3-way valve blocking off your aux. tank (feeding from your main tank) - trust me for a sec. here, I'm on a roll - I'll think it through as I type.

2) Use your main tank first, until the low fuel light comes on - YES! THIS WILL WORK.

3) Switch your 3-way valve to block your main tank and now feed from your aux. tank. You will backfeed your main tank now- that's OK. The low-fuel light will eventually go off as you put gas back into the main tank, returning from the FI regulator. However, you cannot possibly overfill your main tank anymore.

4) Once you run out of gas in your aux tank (however you were going to determine this with your previously described use - mileage, choking, etc), switch back to your main tank again.

5) Run as usual (again) from your main tank, until your low fuel light comes on again.

6) Stop and get gas or - panic when you see a sign that says, "Next gas 50 miles" :D :D :D :D

It'll work this way - I'm sure. :wink:

Also, put an in-line fuel filter in your gas line between the aux.tank and your bike's FI pump. I do not know where your bike's filter is, but fuel injectors do not like any crap in their fuel - it must be filtered fuel going to the injectors. The very first time I filled my aux. tank I saw crud in the bottom of the aux. tank from the crappy gas station tank. :evil: My set-up would catch it in the in-tank filter, but only after it passed through my aux. fuel pump. I put an in-line filter in mine anyways.

Good luck and thanks for the luck with my BBG ride. Remember to post pics of your set-up!

Todd

Jackal666us

03-26-2006, 12:42 AM

thank you so much todd! i didn't even think about the return into the main tank :oops: . boy would my crotch have been red :shock: . it sucks that i will have an extra step in my fuel usage but at least it will work. thanks again. hope to install wednesday!

P.S. the kit from TourTank (Ding!!!) came with a fuel filter so no worries there. thanks for the help!

ironmorph

03-26-2006, 07:38 AM

FIRST USE UPDATE: I ran 250 miles between fill-ups today! :D :D :D :D Actually, 261 miles - that's about the limit. I filled up while on the kickstand, so I could get another 20-25 miles, if I filled up with the bike centerd. It also took 4 gallons to fill the main tank. That leaves .7 sitting in the bottom. I'm considering doing the fuel pick-up tube mod to get a little more out of the main tank.

This was my sequence:

1) Fill up both tanks with aux fuel line valve closed (and aux. pump off).
2) Ride.
3) When low fuel light comes on at ~ 116 miles - open valve and turn on pump.
4) Ride
5) Watch low fuel light go off. 8) Turn off fuel pump and close valve after alloted time.
6) Ride
7) When low fuel light comes on again ~225 miles (chicken out and put some emergency fuel in the aux.tank :oops: - keep valve closed!).
8) Ride - with confidence. :wink:
9) Stop at gas station near home ~261 miles - top the tanks off for tomorrow's ride.

I think I was getting to the point of running out of gas at 261 miles (remember I have the small C tank). It popped out the tailpipe while hanging a Uy under the freeway. I was close (but I had the aux. tank full - so I didn't care - if I did run out, just turn a valve and push a button :wink: ). I probably wouldn't have made another 5 miles, tops, though.

Not bad for a 2002 C.

Todd

Great Todd, 261 miles not bad at all. I only get 330 with my 1300, but I have not ran it dry yet. I ran my aux tank at 131 miles, then hit my main tank, I get about 165 out of that. Now I am at 296, then I am looking for fuel. I have about 35 miles left in the tank, but once I hit reserve, I'm getting fuel. I have no problems with the gravity feed system on the 1300. I have remounted my tank 3 times, because I want all the cargo space I can get. The other tank on the Mrs. Shadow operates as well.

Today's ride is 330 miles, for a test run. Fully loaded with my gear for 2 plus weeks.

Have a safe BBG.

We will be there right with you. 8)

bluto

03-27-2006, 10:47 AM

Bluto,

Do you have a supplier of bulkhead fittings suitable for gas service? I can't seem to get the suppliers of fuel pumps to give me any dimensons. Still working that angle also, but thought I'd ask. Thanks.

Todd

Sorry, just saw this now.

Go to the McMaster-Car site (www.mcmastercar.com (http://www.mcmastercar.com)) and search for either bulk head fittings or panel mount fittings. They are available in stainless, chromed steel or Acetol, all of which are fuel safe. Once you pick out the fitting, you can also get a 90° fitting to thread into it that are also available with a quick connect/check valve arrangement. This would make future tank removal a little more painless. I was under my tank this weekend and saw a great place to mount the pump. If you have done the desmog, there is already an 8mm threaded hole in your backbone that used to hold the desmog stuff.

Todd2

03-27-2006, 12:55 PM

Ironmorph,

WOW you have some serious range going for you. I ran another full fuel test (my two tanks) yesterday. So far, looks like I'll plan on riding 200 miles or so and then start to look for a gas station. I'll be able to find one within the next 50 miles or so during my x-country rides. That's a nice comfortable estimate between fuel stops, without a chance of running out (or so I say now). Glad your set-ups are working flawlessly. Have fun on your two week long trip and your IBA BBG. Two weekends away!

Bluto,

Thanks for the info on bulkhead fittings. I like the idea of a SS one. Glad to hear your set-up is starting to come together. Post pics!

Hey, another source for strange stuff is "Aircraft Spruce and Specialty". They cater to the homebuilt aircraft crowd and have lots of weird things you never thought of, but really really need for your next project, once you see it. :wink: One drawback is they tend to be on the pricey side (airplane stuff is always pricey). For example, airplanes switch fuel between tanks all the time (for ballance) - sounds like what we are doing on motorcycles (for distance). They may just have that perfect part - I know they have a lot of them to choose from. Check them out sometime.

Later.

Todd

ironmorph

03-27-2006, 05:31 PM

Latest update on fuel and mileage: yesterdays trip was 326 miles to bone dry stalling. I guess that's good enough for now. I will start looking for fuel once I hit reserve though. About 5 hours of riding time, mostly at speeds of 70 plus, so I think we can do a little better if we don't push it. 8) 8)

2 weeks to bbg 8)

Todd2

04-03-2006, 01:13 PM

LATEST USE UPDATE: Well, I've run through several tanks, now. It appears to work consistently. So far, so good.

For grins, I pumped the aux. tank dry into an empty main tank and shut off the pump, BUT left the valve open while riding around. It backfilled the aux. tank (rather quickly) and ran me out of gas in the main tank. And I mean out of gas, as in, the engine died. The aux. tank was 1/3 - 1/2 full. Not what I expected. This prooves this set-up definitely needs a manual valve (or check valve) to sparate the two tanks. (If both tanks were full and the valve was left open with the engine running, it would overflow the aux. tank.) Just something to think about.

I still want to try filling both tanks completely full, blocking off the main tank's vent line, opening the valve with the engine off, and letting it sit overnight (or a few days). I want to see if I get any fuel leakage throught the cap (or any place else for that matter). If not, I'm thinking about hooking the aux. tank drain directly to the main tank's vent line, with no fuel pump in between. I'll let the natural vacuum created in the main tank (as fuel is being used) suck the aux. tank dry, while using the aux tank's vented cap as the vent for the entire system. This set-up uses no aux fuel pump and no in-line valve and automatically empties both tanks simultaneously - the perfect solution. :) All I have to do is fill the main tank first and replace the cap before filling the aux. tank. Then do not open the main tank's cap untill the aux tank is emptied below the height of the main tank's opening.

I do not see why this would not work. It just bothers me that no one has done this before on the VTX, so I may be missing something here. I suppose I could leave the valve in between both tanks (its already there, now), just in case I need to close off the aux. tank for some strange reason (like gas soaked nuts :shock: ).

Anyway, just some more ideas for y'all to think about. Good luck with your projects.

Todd

5 days till BBG attempt!

Todd2

04-28-2006, 01:37 AM

OK -- ANOTHER UPDATE (w/ some new info):

Well, I've used the aux. tank set-up for quite a few transferes now, and things seem to have worked out for the better. First, it has NEVER failed me (in over 15 tank transfers). I ran the BBG (1500 miles/24 hrs) and motorcycle marshalled the MS-150 bicycle ride last weekend. I purposely ran the tank(s) down to see how they would perform. So far, I have determined that the aux. tank will empty in less than 14 minutes. :) :) :) I do not yet know exactly how fast, but fuel was left in the aux. tank after 10 minutes. So, that brackets it pretty well. I appologize for bad mouthing that pump, it appears to be loosening up a bit now (again, I have lot's of theories, but no facts - so I'll just keep my big mouth shut). I'll still be refining my transfer rates as time allows. However, that's pretty good for my purposes. I'm happy.

I also, rode with the MS-150 Motorcycle Marshall group back from Austin to Houston last Monday (after the bicycle ride). We ran 50 to 70 MPH down back roads and I managed to go 285 miles before starting to choke out of gas. It was GREAT when all the Goldwings backed up to the storefront to let all the Harl.. and other cruisers refuel (the Goldwings didn't need gas yet). There I was, backed away from the pumps with the Wings - not needing to refill yet. That sure got all of the Wingers to come over to try to figure out what I had going. :D I keep telling them its full of beer, 'cause its hot outside. One guy even asked me if it was insulated! HA HA HA

In summary, the aux. fuel tank/pump system is working well (I won't speculate as to why), but I suspect it has settled in and will continue performing at its best. If you are interested in this set-up, I would recommend it, so far. I'm still going to try some of my other ideas, but hey, it meets my needs, so the incentive just isn't there and I have plenty of other projects to do. Time will tell.

I hope this helped someone make up their mind what they want to do (follow or don't, either way, I hope I helped - these posts take forever to type). :cry: If someone would like me to run a little experiment, I'm open to suggestions. For example, I'll try the aux. drain to main tank vent line hook up and cruise around to see how it works, if someone is really, really interested ('cause if I run out of gas..... :twisted: ). But not this weekend - going diving for a change of pace. :D

Take care, good luck, and POST. :wink:

Todd

hawkwd

05-11-2006, 02:45 PM

OK, for those of you that want to preserve the luggage rack for other purposes, there are alternatives, but not quite as clean & automated.

GO to a backpacking supply store, and buy a couple camp fuel bottles. They are spun aluminum with fuel resistant rubber gasketed screw in caps. They are NOT vented & do not need to be, as they are easily cpable of containing whatever pressure that can be built up by normal atmospheric temperature changes. They are generally available in 1/2 liter & 1 liter sizes and fit very well in your luggage or saddle bags.

A liter is a little more than a quart, and most X's get asound 35 mpg, so 2 bottles will get you an extra 20 miles. Sure you have to stop to put the fuel in the tank, but it's a small price to pay...

The bottles cost less than $10 each and they are TOTALLY safe. They are designed to carry inflamable fuel. I've had 2 of them for several years with no degredation of the seals & have never had a leak, but have used them dozens of times... mostly to give fuel to others...

There's the CHEAP option...

Jackal666us

07-01-2006, 11:15 PM

well i finally tried my 3.5gal aux tank (mounted in bag on backrest). worked great just like i thought it would. just ran on main tank till almost empty then turned rear tank on, very simple. runs great no spuddering or anything. no flow problems. all i needed to do was put a "T" fitting inline of the fuel from tank to pump (external on 04 and newer) and put a shutoff and filter to control aux tank.

X'N

10-09-2006, 03:57 AM

I found this thread while looking for an alternative to spending 300+ on a external fuel pump like the newer bikes use. I came across this its a fuel pump from a 90 camaro 50 psi, 16GPH (stock VTX is 50 psi and 18GPH) Its a NAPA part # 2P74006 $68.69. The only problem I have with this is from what I have read all of the 90 camaro's have an in tank fuel pump, but from the sounds of it some also had an external inline pump. So I'm not sure about this pump do to napa listing is as both in tank and inline.

Lax

10-09-2006, 01:27 PM

If sloshing in the aux tank is an issue, dirt bikers put a foam material in the tank to solve their sloshing problem.

Todd2

10-21-2006, 01:02 AM

X'N,

Just to set the record straight, that pump would work (if inline) BUT you really don't need 50 psi. I'm not pumping my aux gas into my high pressure line feeding the fuel injection pressure regulator valve (where you would need 50 psi). I'm just pumping my aux. gas into my front stock gas tank (via the low pressure fuel injection return line). Then I let the bike's fuel pump deliver all the gas to the fuel injection presure regulator valve. I only need to overcome about 5 psi to make it transfer fuel. If you are planning on pumping into the high pressure fuel injection supply line, you would need that pump pressure and two valves (or better yet, check valves) to keep from backfeeding the 'other' tank (the one not being pumped from at the time). Some pumps are made with a built in check valve. I know the one I have is NOT, and will backfeed through it. Also, if you pump into your high pressure line, remember all the excess fuel will be returned to your front stock gas tank via the stock return line, refilling it from your aux. tank rather quickly - unless you rig up a second, aux. tank, return line. (Now we're getting complicated.) Now if you are just looking to replace a crapped out stock pump --- looks like you may have found a much cheaper alternative than the VTX's stock pump. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

LAX,

I was really concerned about sloshing, at first, but I cannot tell my aux. tank is even back there. I suppose, when its heavy, its full, so no room to slosh. When its 1/2 empty and sloshing there isn't enough fuel weight left to feel any difference. Also, when I pump, I pump completely dry - (no fuel left). But thanks for the tip, it may help someone with their design.

Todd