Aux Fuel Tank

[borg35]

This last winter I installed Aux Fuel Tank in my Gl1800/Champion trike. It took some thought but the result is worth having.

I used a TourTank 8X14 with a vent in the cap and an outlet on the underside at the other end. I used the tank straps that came with the tank to mount to a modified rear fender on the Gl1800 and tied down the back of the tank to the bar that holds the shocks on the trike kit and the front to the plastic rear fender. I ran the main line 1" to the bottom of the main tank and a vent line from the cap 1/4" to the top of the tank by the orginal tank vent. I made sure that the cap on the tank was as tight as I could get it. It clears the rear end with plenty of space. Basically it works the same as the CSC but for about $250.00. The tank holds 3.5 gals. I can go about 300 miles and then I need gas. I have tested this.

My wife says it looks like a little pig stuffed under the seat.

I didn't have to modify the relays on the starter or under the seat.

I have been using it from about Febuary and it works without fail. It fills promptly when filling the main tank but it does take a little longer because you are adding another 3.5 Gals.

The big test is we are going to PEI this August. I don't expect any problems with the tank.

Borg35

View attachment 5787

 

[bayoudave]

I have thought about an extra tank but have yet to need gas before I need a stretch break so I just get the break and the gas at the same time. Hope your tank works with no problems.

 

[icedad]

I'm thinking real hard about an aux tank. I have a bad habit of taking backroad cruises and am afraid I'll need gas and be lost running out of gas. But like you said also bayoudave, I also need to get up and stretch also.

 

[leo3wheel]

I'm thinking real hard about an aux tank. I have a bad habit of taking backroad cruises and am afraid I'll need gas and be lost running out of gas. But like you said also bayoudave, I also need to get up and stretch also.

Gets scary when running low on fuel on remote stretches of road. More to it than just stretching limbs. Nice to have the insurance. :Trike1:

 

[Woolie]

Gets scary when running low on fuel on remote stretches of road. More to it than just stretching limbs. Nice to have the insurance. :Trike1:

I haven't ever needed an aux tank or extra fuel for that matter but I have thought about getting one of those carriers that connect to the trailer hitch thingy and carry an extra 2 or 3 gallons on it. That ought to get another 100 miles or so and could be handy in some of those back country places.

 

[hbrogan57]

I have never been in a situation where I felt that I needed more fuel than what's on the bike. Only once have I even used the reserve on any of my bikes. It's called "planning ahead". If I feel that I am going to be riding for a while I make darn sure that I start with a full tank. Then, if I happen to get a little low I'll stop and top off. Just makes sense to do that. A couple of hours in the saddle without a break is about all I can take these days. A stop for fuel helps to stretch thing out and provides a good chance for a little break.

If I do feel the need to carry any extra fuel I'll get a plastic gas can, fill it about 3/4 full, and strap it on to the rear of the bike. But, frankly, I don't ever see that happening.

Now, had my trike already come with this I am sure I would run it with the extra fuel in it. Problem with that would be leaving it full for extended periods and ending up with some crappy gas going through the system.

 

[rmrc51]

Now, had my trike already come with this I am sure I would run it with the extra fuel in it. Problem with that would be leaving it full for extended periods and ending up with some crappy gas going through the system.

Those are my feelings as well. Even though I still think about having the extra fuel tank, for my situation and riding habits, I'm glad I don't.

 

[felixpirozzi]

I have been thinking about an aux tank, looks good. Did you have to move anything out of the way to put the tank in?

 

[mtn rider]

The Coleman camping store sells Bottles designed for gasoline. They dont leak and hold about a quart of fuel. I carry two in my trunk and hope I never need them. I figure two quarts should get me about 15 to 18 miles and that should put me at a station somewhere. Meredog loaned me the use of his one day when I was really low and saved my tail, and as soon as I got home I went out and bought me some "insurance in a bottle".

 

[viper]

I carry a gallon tank in the trunk just for emergencys! It has helped me and others on the road!

 

[OlManRivh]

Now, had my trike already come with this I am sure I would run it with the extra fuel in it. Problem with that would be leaving it full for extended periods and ending up with some crappy gas going through the system.

Every 2nd fill, dump the spare into the tank and refill the spare. No bad gas.

 

[meredog]

Every 2nd fill, dump the spare into the tank and refill the spare. No bad gas.

especially with the ethonal laced gas----it goes bad faster than straight gas will----was also recently advised by my chain saw repair facility that ethonal based fuel nd sta-bil is a no-no

 

[homeless]

I just finished installation of the aux tank on my BMW/Hannigan trike. Not too difficult to do. As my trike frame did not have the mounting tabs for the rear of the tank we had to fab some. Newer trike kits have them welded on already. Cutting the hole in the fender for the filler is the scary part but it went well. Cold today. I'll try out the new tank on my trip to Daytona for Bike Week.

ciao homeless

 

[Mr Orange]

I've got an aux tank in my Spyder that holds 5 gallons. I wouldn't own that bike without it. It gives me 10 usable gallons.

I added a port on my stock tank so I hit the switch and transfer gas back as I motor down the road. The pump gets it power from a programmed relay that runs for 5 minutes and transfers 2.5 gallons before it automatically shuts off.

I've always run aux tanks or oversized tanks on most of my rides over the years. My biggest was a 12 gallon in a 1500 Wing Sidecar rig. That gave me 18 gallons total.

 

[whitefatboy]

sure would have helped on ride from MI. to Sturgis, pulling my camper trailer

 

[Mr Orange]

sure would have helped on ride from MI. to Sturgis, pulling my camper trailer

I can't imagine owning a trike or a side car rig without having an aux fuel tank. :Shrug: These creations we ride aren't exactly the most aerodynamic or lightweight so lower gas mileage goes with the machine as compared to our two wheeled brothers.

 

[earlyriser4444]

I bought one of those Harley tanks that are built to fit the Harley saddle bags. I velco it to the inside of my trunk on the extreme right side.....out of the way.
I have a Motortrike kit attached to my 2005 Gold Wing.

 

[leo3wheel]

Lost trunk space... Use every square inch on a long trip.

 

[Mr Orange]

Lost trunk space... Use every square inch on a long trip.

I lost trunk space on my Spyder but I still have both bags and I can still add a tourpac if I want too. This lack of storage space is one of the downsides of a conventional trike IMHO.

 

[ben721364]

I lost trunk space on my Spyder but I still have both bags and I can still add a tourpac if I want too. This lack of storage space is one of the downsides of a conventional trike IMHO.

It really depends largely on the trike kit. Some kit manufacturers offer aux tanks that intrude little if any on trunk space.