Aux Gas Tanks.

[DougDM]

Wifeys and I will be doing the Al-Can next year. My main concern is fuel and I hate thinking about fuel.

So with paranoia as my friend, I began my search. (Check the bike out).

http://blogs.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/07192005093558MWEAX2.htm

So of these are half as_ed and some aren't. Tour Tank is my favorite so far.

http://www.dirtbikeworld.net/Reviews/BumTank/BumTank.html
http://nomadtanks.com.au/Tanks.php
http://www.tourtank.com

Thoughts anyone?

[Lono]

I carry 2 20 oz. white gas canisters filled with 87 when I'm on the road just in case. Are gas stations really that far apart that you'd need to give up that much luggage space? I'm thinking of the Al-Can in 2009, so I'm curious as to what your solution will be.

[randyo]

I have a damaged tank that I plan on modifying into a 300 mile tank, it looks as though that a couple gallons could be added by extending the tank forward on each side, it would be hidden under plastic so that part wouldn't need to be cosmeticly suitable.

[Compared To What?]

Maybe it's just me but I don't think I'd like to be carrying around 35 lbs of "additional weight" that high and to the rear of the bike. 2 big old honking tanks like that seems like too much weight concentrated in a less than optimal place. I'm more of a mind to carry 3 or 4 20 oz. fuel cannisters mounted or carried in lower more foreward positions.

[Keith Falkner]

I just read a five-year-old article that said gas stations were frequent on the AlCan Highway. I suggest you make sure there is a problem before spending money and effort on a solution.

I am sure there are web sites where you can consult with veterans of that route.

The V-Strom has a mighty tank, and can carry a full load over 160 miles on a tank of gas. I believe the most widely separated stations are much closer than that.

It's always a hazard to carry fuel, especially a shifting load well above the center of gravity.

Your bike, your safety, your call ... but do all the research first.

Good luck on your voyage. I am going the other way, all the way to Newfoundland. I may cross Labrador, where gas stations can be 280 kilometers apart. I do not consider that a problem.

Keith

[water warrior]

Doug, how far north are you travelling ?? I drove up to Fairbanks in the middle 80's and never had a problem finding a gas pump. Unless you are headed way out to the boonies and beyond there may not be a problem. The far north caters to a lot of tourist traffic and generally where you find food you find fuel next door.

[chris swann]

wonder if that tour tank would fit where the extra pipe on the 1000 goes[if you have a 650]a trick i use is i fill a couple of two litre pop bottles with gas and stick them in the front of my jacket,then after 40 klm add one too the gas tank,then another 40 and add the next,now im 80 klm from the last gas station and have a full tank,i know it sounds a bit stupid but im not packing empty jerry cans or extra tanks,just crush the pop bottles and stick in garbage can,although what i do is get gas and go up the road a bit then put gas in the bottles from my tank,then go back fill up again[as gas in pop bottles is not legal]but this is way better than the extra tank thing

[WeThereYet]

a trick i use is i fill a couple of two litre pop bottles with gas and stick them in the front of my jacket,then after 40 klm add one too the gas tank,then another 40 and add the next,now im 80 klm from the last gas station and have a full tank

http://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider/eekers.gifhttp://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider/eekers.gifhttp://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider/eekers.gifhttp://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider/eekers.gif Sorry, I wouldn't go 40 / 80 centimeters with pop bottles full of gas under my jacket. You sir, are a thrillseeker. After all, dress for the slide, not the ride.

[randyo]

It's always a hazard to carry fuel, especially a shifting load well above the center of gravity.




you sir have just described 99% of the motorcycles on the road

a a hundred odd years ago, people were afraid to drive vehicles with internal combumstion engines cause thy carried the explosive liquid called gasoline

the fear his starting all over again with hydrogen cars




properly fitted fuel cells are just as safe as the stock tank

carrying unvented fuel is a disaster waiting to happen

[DougDM]

Thanks all for the input.

With a Tour Tank of 2 gallons (7lbs/gallon) with fuel and quick release hoses, it comes out to approx 20 pounds that would be installed over the rear seat. If I put one of the 1.25 gal tube tank(s) to either side of the top trunk it comes out to 25lbs.

I've ridden two up with a 6' 2" 170lb passanger without a problem, so 35 lbs isn't a worry.

I also checked with the ACSC (AutoClub) and it does appear that gas is plentiful for the trip to Fairbanks/Anchorage. However we plan on going to the arctic circle which is why I'm thinking additonal tankage.

With my 1K4 getting about 200 a tank, an additonal 80-100 would make sleep come a lot easier.

Also check the Blog @ http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/rideanddest/motorcycle_riding_alaska/ . About 60% the way down is: "Is your fuel range less than 244 miles? Better carry extra gas from Coldfoot to Prudhoe Bay."

Keep the great idea coming!!!

[Delta88]

As others have stated, gas is plentiful along the AlCan. Fairbanks to the Circle should be easy with stock capacity. There is gas available at the Yukon River crossing, 135 miles north of Fairbanks and ~60 miles south of the Circle. That being said, if you choose to add extra fuel capacity, even an extra 5 gallons does not add enough weight to adversely affect your bikes handling or safety. I mounted a 5-gal. JAZ plastic drag race cell to the Happy Trail rack on my Wee-Strom for the ride to Prudhoe Bay, as well as a couple of other rides I have planned. My bike was loaded down pretty good, even w/o the cell but I never noticed any difference whether the cell was full or empty. Even from Coldfoot to Prudhoe, I would've been fine with only an extra 1/2 gallon. If that was the only ride I wanted extra fuel for, I wouldn't have gone to the trouble and expense of an aux cell. I'd have just bought a new 1/2 or 1 gallon can in Fairbanks and filled it up at the Yukon Crossing. My $0.02.

[water warrior]

Delta88 has a good suggestion. Pick up a gas can and use it as necessary. When you are done with it donate it to a rider headed north and ask him to do the same on the way back to civilization.

[PonchoV]

That is one great idea, get the others email & keep track of the thing & w/ whom. I can see it now, 'travels of the ole red 2.5 gal poly can'.

[Delta88]

It was reported to me that the station at the Yukon Crossing actually has a couple of 1-gal cans for just that purpose. They just ask that you drop off the one you borrowed on your way South. I couldn't confirm this before we left and, besides, it'd be my luck that the cans would be "checked out" already when I got there.

[Tollster]

I have seen those flat gas can made of some sort of poly materila for ATV's. They are flat and I think they come in various sizes. You may be able to adapt this to your rear rack, then still carry items on top of it. It will still hnder your center of gravity though, but I thought I would mention it and give you another option.

[Vinny]

I have a friend that makes custom aluminum gas tanks for dragsters and hot rods. We've disgussed making a bigger tank for my V. It will replace the stock tank and if all goes as planned, should hold a gallon more, give or take a few oz's. Its still on the drawing board, and we should be actually start the fabrication in a few weeks. Ill keep ya posted if any progress is made.

[awd505]

To keep the fuel from sloshing you can use this:

http://www.watcon.com/Catalog_Pages/Fuel_Cell_Foam.htm

It doesn't reduce the capacity that much also. The idea for racing is to reduce the sloshing so fuel pick up is consistant v. having to have more fuel to optain the same result

Been doing it in pwc racing for years and road racing has finally figured it out.

If you can find a foam Dist. they may have this material as well. Possibly larger scraps.

[chris swann]

haveing lived in prince george for 5 years, i honestly cant imagine why you would go past there,its miles and miles of trees and rocks,and more trees and rocks,i have only gone up too the mackenze turn off,but i can say from where i lived [prince geoge] it just one great boreing area ,shitty weather combined with people that look at life through a toilet paper roll

[chris swann]

sorry i was so negative,its just that a trip north is all bikers dream,and i cant see in the near future affording it,i can tell you that once you get past williams lake the terain becomes very dull,miles and miles of trees and rocks

[Bill]

Having gone up and back to Alaska several times, as well as the haul road to Prudhoe I have to disagree to it being "dull". As far as meeting people that see life through a roll of toilet paper, I see them all over the US and Canada...
I guess like beauty, dull can be in the eyes of the beholder.
Just my $.02.

[Delta88]

Having gone up and back to Alaska several times, as well as the haul road to Prudhoe I have to disagree to it being "dull". As far as meeting people that see life through a roll of toilet paper, I see them all over the US and Canada...
I guess like beauty, dull can be in the eyes of the beholder.
Just my $.02.



A great big hairy +1 on that.

[Tailgunner]

you sir have just described 99% of the motorcycles on the road

a a hundred odd years ago, people were afraid to drive vehicles with internal combumstion engines cause thy carried the explosive liquid called gasoline

the fear his starting all over again with hydrogen cars




properly fitted fuel cells are just as safe as the stock tank

carrying unvented fuel is a disaster waiting to happen

Except for the time recently when I spent several hours manning an exclusion zone around an LPG vehicle that had caught fire!! ;-)

[DougDM]

To keep the fuel from sloshing you can use this:

http://www.watcon.com/Catalog_Pages/Fuel_Cell_Foam.htm

It doesn't reduce the capacity that much also. The idea for racing is to reduce the sloshing so fuel pick up is consistant v. having to have more fuel to optain the same result

Been doing it in pwc racing for years and road racing has finally figured it out.

If you can find a foam Dist. they may have this material as well. Possibly larger scraps.

EXCELLENT idea! I found that they will put baffles in the tanks for $39 each tank. So for two tanks we're talking $85+ with tax. I'll go foam.

[Vinny]

It doesn't reduce the capacity that much also.

No, not that much, you only lose the amount of fuel the foam takes up in space, Just a few ounces. Lets not forget the 1/4 gallon that is soaked up and is suspended in the foam. If you had a 5 gallon tank and put that foam in it, run the tank dry, you would still have about a 1/4 gallon in the foam, Like a dish sponge you would have to ring it out to get the extra fuel out. So by installing this foam expect to have a 1/4 gallon or so of unusable fuel in your tank, Unless you find a way to squeeze out the fuel in the foam some how when you get low on fuel. I had a 65 mustang years ago with an aftermarket 22 gallon gas tank and had the foam in it. I ran out of gas in that thing many times, yet it took only 21 gallons to fill. That extra gallon was soaked up by the foam. I will never use faom inserts in my gas tanks again. Expect to lose miles per tank if you use one, cause you lost 1/4 of a gallon.

[awd505]

No, not that much, you only lose the amount of fuel the foam takes up in space, Just a few ounces. Lets not forget the 1/4 gallon that is soaked up and is suspended in the foam. If you had a 5 gallon tank and put that foam in it, run the tank dry, you would still have about a 1/4 gallon in the foam, Like a dish sponge you would have to ring it out to get the extra fuel out. So by installing this foam expect to have a 1/4 gallon or so of unusable fuel in your tank, Unless you find a way to squeeze out the fuel in the foam some how when you get low on fuel. I had a 65 mustang years ago with an aftermarket 22 gallon gas tank and had the foam in it. I ran out of gas in that thing many times, yet it took only 21 gallons to fill. That extra gallon was soaked up by the foam. I will never use faom inserts in my gas tanks again. Expect to lose miles per tank if you use one, cause you lost 1/4 of a gallon.

This foam will not hold that much fuel. It a much courser foam then a sponge.

It actually works like tiny baffles. It really works.

We have use this type of foam as a pre-filter for air boxes. It does not impede the flow but seems to smooths it out. I use it in the air duct with a little filter oil to keep large particles from the intake ei: bugs, dirt etc....