Extra fuel idea works

[Norma Stitz]

I thought I'd share my idea that's probably been done and isn't my idea but I thought of it and it works great.
So, I wanted extra fuel and I had a small outboard fuel can sitting on my shelf for 15 years. It was the right size and shape to strap on to the tunnel so I thought I'd use it. Problem being that since it's designed as a fuel cell it's not really great for pouring into the bike. It does have its own fuel pickup inside though, so I was trying to think of ways to pump air into the can or pump the fuel out. Then, I decided to try something a little out of the box. I took the breather line off my main bike tank and routed it to the red can output so it would suck fuel instead of air and the bikes breather valve thing was drilled into the cap of the tunnel can. It relies on the main bikes fuel cap actually sealing well enough that the main tank will draw from the supplemental and first, then when it's empty it draws air from that outboard tank to replace fuel in the mains.
Anyway it works great on my bike and has the advantage of not needing to stop and refuel, or monitor bike fuel levels.

There are several shapes and sizes but mine is similar to this one.

 

[Norma Stitz]

This also makes frozen straps a non issue, because I don't need to remove the tank at all for a days ride. If I'm full up i have 5.5 gallons and I seem to use 2-3 gallons for a days ride so that leaves me with a comfortable margin which I like. One less thing to worry about on the mountain.

 

[mountainhorse]

Good Ideas about out there in the universe...

Tourbuddy [ http://www.tourbuddy.com/ ] has been doing this for a while on sleds... Good one on your bike though ... I like the use of the inexpensive tank !!


.

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

Iron dog guys have been doing that for years.
Self filling front tank.
Makes for the best handling also. (On sleds)

 

[ItDoAble]

Very creative. Camel tanks do the same for the ADV bikes. Works great on my GS.

 

[Answ3r]

I would guess that works only on FI bikes with the pump putting a good vacuum in the main tank. On carbed bikes I would think gravity would play against you.

Thoughts ?

 

[byeatts]

I thought I'd share my idea that's probably been done and isn't my idea but I thought of it and it works great.
So, I wanted extra fuel and I had a small outboard fuel can sitting on my shelf for 15 years. It was the right size and shape to strap on to the tunnel so I thought I'd use it. Problem being that since it's designed as a fuel cell it's not really great for pouring into the bike. It does have its own fuel pickup inside though, so I was trying to think of ways to pump air into the can or pump the fuel out. Then, I decided to try something a little out of the box. I took the breather line off my main bike tank and routed it to the red can output so it would suck fuel instead of air and the bikes breather valve thing was drilled into the cap of the tunnel can. It relies on the main bikes fuel cap actually sealing well enough that the main tank will draw from the supplemental and first, then when it's empty it draws air from that outboard tank to replace fuel in the mains.
Anyway it works great on my bike and has the advantage of not needing to stop and refuel, or monitor bike fuel levels.

There are several shapes and sizes but mine is similar to this one.

I thought about this awhile back. However after getting the fueling perfect I seldom even use the 2.3 gallon stock bike tank even on bar deep powder dayz.the SX 450 2017 is very efficient and only once did I even add the one gallon reserve.

 

[off road rider]

Great Idea! I run an extra tank on my carbed 950SE, its plummed into a T fitting down by the carb, vent on aux tank and all is well.