6 Gallon Tank

[grbrown]

From 2008 the Touring bikes have been fitted with a 6 US gallon/22.7 litres fuel tank. That is a very attractive 20% increase in capacity over previous dressers like mine.

There are a few of these turning up on US Ebay, which is getting tempting! Has anyone looked into fitting one to an earlier bike, or actually successfully done it?

[grbrown]

Over a hundred reads so far, so a subsidiary question for those of you passing through, especially if you have an 08 or later.

Studying the 08 tanks available, several US vendors obligingly show the underside of them, which begs two thoughts. 1. Can a fuel injected bike's tank be adapted to take a conventional fuel tap, for a carb. 2. These later tanks don't seem to have a balance pipe between the two halves, so how does all the fuel get down the pipe?! Or have H-D invented an ant-gravity device....

[BaZa®]

Not trying to be funny Graham but why go to the expense of buying a larger tank when we have no shortage of petrol stations, plus I like a break to fill up at circa 150 miles for a ciggy and coffee.

I won't ever change my RK tank (18.9L) as I feel it is big enough.

I understand some sporty riders want a larger tank, but I also understand why the rigid chopper/custom boys want a small tank.....

.....(so they can stop every half hour....LOL)....

[Tony Cross]

Pity they are not 6 proper gallons.

[simonDyna]

Pingel make an adaptor that screws into an FI tank and then accepts ones of their petcocks. They also make a bung that screws into the tanks that have two outlets.

As for the cross over pipe, I have no idea about that but it wouldnt need rocket science to adapt that tank to take one or use a small pump.

[grbrown]

Originally Posted by BaZa®

Not trying to be funny Graham but why go to the expense of buying a larger tank when we have no shortage of petrol stations, plus I like a break to fill up at circa 150 miles for a ciggy and coffee.

Good question BaZa, but having travelled on this bike in the USA and Canada, also Europe, there are occasions when filling stations are scarce. So it is on the 'grand tour' when more fuel would be useful, especially when travelling back roads (and increasingly in the UK!). Being a cheapskate, I don't envisage spending much if I do go down this route, as painting the tank will be a major expense.

Originally Posted by Tony Cross

Pity they are not 6 proper gallons.

True, but whereas Harley seem to have squeezed 6 useless ones into a convincing space, 6 real ones would take some doing, while still looking 'right'.

Thanks for those tips Simon.

[Tony Cross]

Lack of petrol stations is a real issue in the UK these days. More so on the type of roads most of us like using. A 300 mile range would be very nice.

[crumboy]

You hit it on the head there, fuel is scarce in the lonely places, Ever tried getting fuel on the Hebrides or highlands on Sundays, on the high plateau of Spain you can travel 60 miles between towns that have a single fuel pump, and then they could be closed. Two up with camping gear the King has a thirst and I get nervous when I’ve covered over 120 miles. Mind you the wife sees it your way Baza, what’s the point of a big tank and a small bladder.

[simonDyna]

Pingel converters

[grbrown]

Originally Posted by simonDyna

Pingel converters

Thanks Simon. From small acorns, great tanks grow!