Dk custom tank lifts, information thread

[DK Custom Products]

Here at DK Custom Products we have tank lift kits for

Sportsters- to fit 1995 and up

Dynas- to fit 1999 and up

Softails- to fit 1999 and up

Tourings- to fit 1999-and up.

In Dynas the sizes are 2", 2.5", and 3"

In all others the sizes are from 1.5", 2", 2.5", and 3".

All of our Tank lifts are made from American Cold Rolled Steel and completed with a Durable Black Powdercoat Finish. All hardware needed is Included and is stainless steel. As with all of our parts, these come with easy to read step-by-step instructions.

 

[DK Custom Products]

What size tank lift is best for my bike?

We literally get asked this question on a daily basis. The best answer is, we have no idea. I know, it sucks, but we don’t. Just because "Joe" has a Sportster 48 with Apes and "Frank" has a Sportster 48 with Apes, does not mean that the two inch tank lift will look the same on both. Lots of things factor into the look that you wouldn’t think about, such as the color of the bike, are the mirrors flipped, any other mods that are done, etc.

So the question stands, "How do I know which tank lift to get?" It’s actually very simple. Since we always suggest that you check for clearance, you take a step back in this process and see what look YOU like on YOUR bike. Here are the steps:

1. With your bike on the kickstand, take the bolt out of the front of the tank.

2. Loosen (do not remove) the bolt at the rear of your tank.

3. Take a towel, or something to that nature, that is soft and won’t damage any kind of paint, and roll it up.

4. Take this roll, and place it between the backbone of the bike and the tank. You can adjust the thickness of this roll to adjust the height between 1.5", 2", 2.5", and 3" (Sportsters, Softails, and Tourings). For Dynas 2", 2.5", and 3".

5. Then, take the handlebars and turn them all the way to the left, then turn them all the way back to the right, this ensures that there are no clearance issues.

By doing this, you are not only able to make sure that you can install the tank lift with no fitment issues, but you can also see the height at which you would like your tank lift.

In Sportsters, (1995-2003) it is possible that your tank ears have "Rubber Grommets" , if this is the case, please let us know so that we can send the proper brackets to account for the extra length needed to go through those pieces. Also, in Dynas, ( most 2010 and up) have a curve in the tank ear. We also have separate brackets to fit those bikes, so we will need to know if your tank ears have this curve.

IMPORTANT NOTE: 2009 and later Touring models that have the 6 gallon tank can only use a 1.5" or 2" Lift. Even with the 2", if the handlebars are pulled back toward the rider at all, there will be a clearance issue. With the DELUXE OPTION you can get a little more room by moving the tank back & leveling it a bit.

The Deluxe option is especially useful on the pre- 2004 Sportsters because the factory rear tank design does not allow the front to be lifted more than 1.5" without this option. SOME 2010 and up Dynas have extra metal on the tank ear that prevents the Deluxe option from fitting.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Will a Tank Lift affect my usable fuel capacity?

This is another frequently asked question. Depending on the size of your tank ( 2.1 gallons-6 gallons) and the size tank lift, ( 1.5”, 2”, 2.5”, or 3”), it could possibly reduce your usable capacity by ⅛ to ⅓ of a gallon

However, in the real world, most people do NOT run their tanks until they are dry. Since that is the case there is no practical difference in useable capacity 99% of the time.

With a tank lift your fuel light may come on a bit sooner, but the fuel light acts as a type of “electronic reserve”. Generally there is still a gallon or more of fuel left in the tank when the fuel light comes on.

There are four different fuel gauges on Harleys. Not every model has all of them.

1. Digital Gauge
2. Analog or mechanical Gauge
3. MTE (miles to empty) read out
4. Fuel light.

The digital and mechanical gauges are notoriously inaccurate. While you can get to know how yours works with time, most use the trip meter to let them know when they are getting near needing to fill up.

In our experience, the MTE (aka Fuel Range) gives a fairly accurate reading. Remember, when it gets down to 10 miles, you still will have approximately 1 gallon of fuel left.

As mentioned above, the Fuel light is a type of “electronic reserve” when it comes on you will still have around a gallon of fuel left in the tank (if it is operating correctly). The way to know for sure is to pull into a gas station as soon as the light comes on. Fill up your tank. If you have a 3.3 gallon tank and you were able to put 2.3 gallons in, then you know that your light comes on with 1 gallon left. Do this a few times to get a feel for it.

One factor that affects all the gauges is going up or down a hill, or around a long left hand turn. You can watch your gauges go down even though you have plenty of gas. This is because the fuel pick-up in your tank is on the back left side of the tank. As the level of the gas in the tank is shifted on a hill or in a long sweeper, the gauges will give a false reading until you are level again.

Important Note: In a long left turn, or a steep hill, the fuel light can come on, even if you have a couple of gallons left. When you level out, it will not go off. Once the fuel light comes on, it will not reset until the ignition is turned off.

Now, down to what tank lifts do to the usable mileage. A tank lift could cause your fuel light to come on a little sooner than it did without one, and it could show you have less fuel than what you actually do. This is due to where the fuel pickup is located at on your tank. It is already in a sort of odd place, and leaves fuel at the rear of the tank that does not reach the fuel pickup. When you create a higher angle on the tank with a tank lift, it can leave more gas that will not reach the fuel pickup.

The fact of the matter is, for most, this possible loss won’t even be noticeable. This is because the only way you will notice that small of a loss of usable fuel, is if you drain your tank dry before you fill up each time.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Tank lifts are an easy, inexpensive way to change the look of your ride. You can go anywhere from an 1.5" to 3" lift as long as you check for clearance to make sure it will work for you. Here is a pic of a tank lift on a Sporty:




Natalie

 

[DK Custom Products]

Here is a nice before and after shot....

before:


after:



Natalie

 

[DK Custom Products]

Looks good....



Natalie

 

[DK Custom Products]

My 2012 Tri-Glide with the DK Custom Products Gas Tank Lift and Rear Deluxe Option. Looks sweet! Thanks for another quality product!

Natalie

 

[DK Custom Products]

From a customer.....

"Looks great, and makes cleaning my rocker covers much easier." -Robert B.


Natalie

 

[dafoot2]

Bought the two inch lift and deluxe option. Looks good shows a lot more of the rockers. Not sure of the cost though. Almost fifty bucks for a few bolts and nuts, and two extenders. I'll get a better feel for them when it gets warmer and can get out and ride.

 

[rwhgme]

Does it affect the pitch of your saddle? I have an Air Zeppelin and like how it sits. Also, I know folks talk about how the lift gets air up higher, but I have the Wards fans and wonder if the fan and lift equal more cooling. I am thinking 1.5".

 

[DK Custom Products]

Does it affect the pitch of your saddle? I have an Air Zeppelin and like how it sits. Also, I know folks talk about how the lift gets air up higher, but I have the Wards fans and wonder if the fan and lift equal more cooling. I am thinking 1.5".

The tank lift does not affect the pitch of any seat at all. The Deluxe option raises the nose (where you don't sit) just a little. We have had conflicting reports on the Air Zeppelin, some say it works fine, others have said that it moves the entire seat, not just the nose.

You do not need the Deluxe option for the 1.5" tank lift to work.

I have the tank lift and the Wards fans on mine, and the two together work better than either alone. The fans push air across the cylinders side to side, whether moving or not.

The tank lift moves air across the cylinders, front to back while moving. They also lift the tank off the top of the engine. If you look at how the tank sits now, it is literally trapping heat around the engine by hanging over the sides of it.

Another benefit of the tank lift is less air coming over the top of the tank, hitting your chest and then traveling up to cause buffeting.

Kevin

 

[rwhgme]

Just placed the order and thank you and Merry Christmas!

 

[DK Custom Products]

Just placed the order and thank you and Merry Christmas!

Thank you, we appreciate your business.

If you have a chance, would be cool to see some pics after you get it installed!

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Looks good...

 

[DK Custom Products]

Check out this tank lift...

 

[DK Custom Products]

A quote from a customer:

"Looks great, and makes cleaning my rocker covers much easier." -Robert B.

 

[DK Custom Products]

2011 SuperLow. 2.5" tank lift, coil and ignition relocation.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Below are a couple of pics of a 1.5" tank lift w/ deluxe option on a '14 TG.

 

[DK Custom Products]

We would love to see pictures of your DK Tank Lifts

Kelsey

 

[DK Custom Products]

Tank Lift Kit


This is an EASY install - 10 to 20 minutes!

Click HERE for more information on our Tank Lifts.

Kelsey​