Aux gas tank Ideal

[Paul_Trike]

Hello all, I am looking at ways to increase my gas capacity on my trike.

I was wondering if anyone has done anything like this.

Find a tank that would fit in the upper trunk of the Goldwing, I would like to maybe have some kind of quick connect that seals off when not in use also have a vapor hose that would go out the bottom of the trunk. So when I go on long trips I put this in the upper trunk and let it gravity feed to the main tank. When I need to fill up for gas I can fill the main tank open trunk and fill secondary.

I know I will loose my storage but on long trip we will take a trailer and then I will still have the lower on the trike to use as well. On my day to day drive would not need the secondary tank could take out and store.

Any thoughts on if this would work and what hardware I might need and how to where to run the lines to main tank.

 

[mhgoldwing]

First and foremost, I would never put gasoline in a closed compartment, vapor hose or not. Also, do you have a CB or CD player in the upper trunk? If you do, either could cause a serious problem since 12vdc is present in both and they are not sealed units. Any electrical or static charge could prove disastrous. Additionally, IF you ever had a leak, the fuel will run down into the CB compartment - NOT GOOD!

Since it's not feasible to put in an auxiliary tank after-the-fact, I would opt to carrying fuel on the tongue of the trailer. It's safe, easy to get to if you need it and does not constitute such a hazard.

Also, I don't know how many gallons you're figuring on but if memory serves me correctly, gasoline weighs about 6.6 pounds per gallon. And it sloshes if the tank is not full.

Hope you find a safe, workable solution.

 

[SMSgt]

Depending on the money you want to spend you could put an aluminum dragster type tank on you trailer in the space where most people put a small ice chest. Then you could pump the fuel from the back tank to the front tank similar to the way Roadsmith does their refueling from the back to front tanks.
I have seen aftermarket fuel tanks that are built to go on the back seat. Something like that might fit on the ice chest rack as well.
I suppose if you used your imagination you could do all kinds of things.
If you want to put a tank in your upper trunk then you better figure on venting the trunk and removing any kind of spark producing devices or wires.
Have fun and good luck.

 

[Paul_Trike]

Thanks for the replies and things to consider, I do not have a CD or CB player.

While carrying a extra fuel for safety sake would work and has been done my main purpose was not to have to stop to put in fuel.

Right now the wife and I can easily ride 300 miles or so without feeling like we need to get off trike but can't do that because we have to stop for fuel.

Placing it on the trailer and fuel pump may be an option just did not know how turning would be with gas lines.

But with enough relief in the lines I am sure it would be fine.

Will keep thinking how to move forward.

 

[Fabricater]

Take a look here, there is a lot of info,what others have done.you will have to read through the 2 pages of post.
http://gl1800riders.com/forums/showthread.php?204660-Aux-fuel-tank&highlight=Zackbilly

 

[wiredgeorge]

If you have a hitch, there are basket type racks that fit into trike hitches you could mount an aux tank on. These are typically used for an ice chest or extra suitcase, etc. You don't need to pull a trailer.

Also, if you have an 1800 and have GPS, the top box is where the GPS is located. Any tank mounted in there would have to have the trunk insulated so it doesn't get real hot and the fuel in the tank expands and would have to vent external to the top box. If you don't use the top box, you could remove it completely and install an aux tank on top of the trike... another thought would be to remove the trike body and find a spot for an aux tank under the body. My aux tank is hooked to a tee switch that switches from one tank to the other. Roadsmith has an aux tank option and we carry almost 10 gallons of gas although the GL1500 I have is something of a pig and we can't go much farther than 275 miles before filling. We generally don't want to ride that far anyway... you guys must be younger than I am... I have to have a relief stop every 100-150 miles anyway hehe

 

[Paul_Trike]

If you have a hitch, there are basket type racks that fit into trike hitches you could mount an aux tank on. These are typically used for an ice chest or extra suitcase, etc. You don't need to pull a trailer.

Also, if you have an 1800 and have GPS, the top box is where the GPS is located. Any tank mounted in there would have to have the trunk insulated so it doesn't get real hot and the fuel in the tank expands and would have to vent external to the top box. If you don't use the top box, you could remove it completely and install an aux tank on top of the trike... another thought would be to remove the trike body and find a spot for an aux tank under the body. My aux tank is hooked to a tee switch that switches from one tank to the other. Roadsmith has an aux tank option and we carry almost 10 gallons of gas although the GL1500 I have is something of a pig and we can't go much farther than 275 miles before filling. We generally don't want to ride that far anyway... you guys must be younger than I am... I have to have a relief stop every 100-150 miles anyway hehe

No GPS on mine, I planned on venting it to begin with, would not think it would get any hotter than the main tank but could insulated for safety.

Did not really want it under the main body did not want to take the extra time for the slow fill, "just my preference" and I would plan on doing this myself and don't want to attempt to remove the whole body.

Yes thought about removing altogether but wanted it look stock. "I know it is a trike so it is not stock"

As far as age goes we are 50 and 60, Once we get on and "locked in we can just set back and go" Heck she sleeps most of the way.

Wife insisted on trailer so we will have to keep the trailer.

 

[oahe]

I carry a spare gallon of gas behind the trailer cooler tray. Heck, both my wife and i have to stop for a pee break long before we get low on gas anyway. :xzqxz:

 

[Pegasus1300]

I will have to respectfully disagree with the warnings about a properly vented aux fuel tank in your top case. Regular motorcycle tanks are mounted in the heat of the motor,in direct sunlight,on rubber and ungrounded, with all kinds of spark producing paraphernalia around them. Or sometimes buried in inaccessible places next to exhaust pipes and or mufflers or batteries that are also emitting gases. Yet no body seems too concerned about any of these problems in day to day riding. There is a member here Carbon One who makes an aux fuel tank for trikes.

I don't know if it is for a specific type conversion of if he can make it fit most anything. There are also many aux tank manufacturers that make fuel cells for racing or endurance cars/bikes that could probably help you out. I had a good friend who had such a fuel cell mounted in the left saddlebag of his 1500 GW that gave him an extra 2.5 gallons. It was plumbed so the bike ran off that first and then switched to the main fuel tank so he could keep track if the fuel thru the original fuel guage and still have his low fuel warning without a lot of extra wiring.

 

[Paul_Trike]

I will have to respectfully disagree with the warnings about a properly vented aux fuel tank in your top case. Regular motorcycle tanks are mounted in the heat of the motor,in direct sunlight,on rubber and ungrounded, with all kinds of spark producing paraphernalia around them. Or sometimes buried in inaccessible places next to exhaust pipes and or mufflers or batteries that are also emitting gases. Yet no body seems too concerned about any of these problems in day to day riding. There is a member here Carbon One who makes an aux fuel tank for trikes. I don't know if it is for a specific type conversion of if he can make it fit most anything. There are also many aux tank manufacturers that make fuel cells for racing or endurance cars/bikes that could probably help you out. I had a good friend who had such a fuel cell mounted in the left saddlebag of his 1500 GW that gave him an extra 2.5 gallons. It was plumbed so the bike ran off that first and then switched to the main fuel tank so he could keep track if the fuel thru the original fuel guage and still have his low fuel warning without a lot of extra wiring.

Yes I agree with you and have thought it out and believe I am going to move forward with this. After reading several post on others attached their external tanks I think I am going to do the following.

I found a 8 X 22 round vented fuel tank. Will run fuel line to sending unit on main tank. Will have a solenoid valve to open and transfer fuel to main tank when tank is low. I will run a vent line out the bottom of the tank.

Will have a cut off valve at the tank and another cut off valve that will bypass the solenoid valve just incase the electric valve fails.

Fuel lines will be steel braid just to help with pinch points.

Do not have CD, CB or GPS. If I ever get CB (looking doubtful I will as no one I ride with has them.) I will deal with it at that time.

 

[wiredgeorge]

I will have to respectfully disagree with the warnings about a properly vented aux fuel tank in your top case. Regular motorcycle tanks are mounted in the heat of the motor,in direct sunlight,on rubber and ungrounded, with all kinds of spark producing paraphernalia around them. Or sometimes buried in inaccessible places next to exhaust pipes and or mufflers or batteries that are also emitting gases. Yet no body seems too concerned about any of these problems in day to day riding. There is a member here Carbon One who makes an aux fuel tank for trikes. I don't know if it is for a specific type conversion of if he can make it fit most anything. There are also many aux tank manufacturers that make fuel cells for racing or endurance cars/bikes that could probably help you out. I had a good friend who had such a fuel cell mounted in the left saddlebag of his 1500 GW that gave him an extra 2.5 gallons. It was plumbed so the bike ran off that first and then switched to the main fuel tank so he could keep track if the fuel thru the original fuel guage and still have his low fuel warning without a lot of extra wiring.

Like to point out that the reason a tank is vented is because if it doesn't vent, a vacuum sets up and fuel won't flow. This is the reason there is a vent on carburetors as well. A passageway connects the float bowl with the outside air and if the vent is blocked, the floats don't work as they should in a vacuum. If a tank gets hot and has no venting, gas will expand dangerously and if it doesn't find a release could cause the tank to explode. The venting isn't just to remove fumes from a location.

 

[tom w]

good luck George. this just isn't my cup of tea. now if that tank was full of moonshine I mite be in.

 

[wiredgeorge]

good luck George. this just isn't my cup of tea. now if that tank was full of moonshine I mite be in.

Just trying to clarify venting of a tank. If you don't need a tank or don't want one, not my job to sell you one. I do have an aux 5 gal tank on my Roadsmith conversion as I only get 30 mpg at best and filling stations can be far and few between when I ride anywhere in the Hill Country or to the west or south into Brush Country.

 

[baddams1]

After reading this thread I decided to chime in with this.

I have a gl1800 /champion trike. Two years ago I decided to install a aux tank. I purchased a tank and quick disconnect from tour tanks and installed it under my rear seat. I connected the main fuel line to the main tank on the bottom with the quick disconnect. I connected the vent to the top of the main tank at the flat spot at the main fuller. I used the two steel straps to hold the tank to the frame of the bike. Yes it is gravity feed but I found that if you use a large enough gas line it will fill quick enough.

Also if you set the gas pump on the slow speed fill it will fill at about the same time. One other thing I found is the rear end will come up and touch the tank so I had a metal patch welded to the back metal strap to keep from touching the tank. Works fine. The tank is three gallons so I get around 300+ miles and is a closed system.

the borg

 

[Grandpa1]

I got a quote on adding an aux tank on my 2012 CSC Viper and was told to add one is very expensive. Almost takes as much time to add one as it takes to install the trike kit.
Way too much money so I'll just carry a 2 gallon can of gas in my trailer if I plan on going where the wide open spaces are.
I get 30 mpg pulling the trailer and can go 150 to 160 miles before I get worried.
Just have to plan it out I guess.
If I was having a trike built I would certainly have the tank added.

 

[87Trike1200]

After reading this thread I decided to chime in with this.

I have a gl1800 /champion trike. Two years ago I decided to install a aux tank. I purchased a tank and quick disconnect from tour tanks and installed it under my rear seat. I connected the main fuel line to the main tank on the bottom with the quick disconnect. I connected the vent to the top of the main tank at the flat spot at the main fuller. I used the two steel straps to hold the tank to the frame of the bike. Yes it is gravity feed but I found that if you use a large enough gas line it will fill quick enough. Also if you set the gas pump on the slow speed fill it will fill at about the same time. One other thing I found is the rear end will come up and touch the tank so I had a metal patch welded to the back metal strap to keep from touching the tank. Works fine. The tank is three gallons so I get around 300+ miles and is a closed system.

the borg

I find your "tank project" interesting. I found the "Tour Tank" web site, read the description and looked at customer pictures. I can't figure out how you got all that under your seat. I'm sure I'm missing something - any pics of your installation? Thank you.

 

[msocko3]

I got a quote on adding an aux tank on my 2012 CSC Viper and was told to add one is very expensive. Almost takes as much time to add one as it takes to install the trike kit.
Way too much money so I'll just carry a 2 gallon can of gas in my trailer if I plan on going where the wide open spaces are.
I get 30 mpg pulling the trailer and can go 150 to 160 miles before I get worried.
Just have to plan it out I guess.
If I was having a trike built I would certainly have the tank added.

I never came close to running out of fuel when I went to SD this past June, I like to stop every 100 miles just because its nice to stretch your legs. I tossed around the aux tank thing when I was getting mine done, just didn't think I needed it. I pulled my Aluma MCT which had a pretty good load in it, I got everything from 30 mpg to a low of 18.5 mpg when bucking some pretty stiff head winds while running 80 mph.

 

[2Trikez]

I used a Tour Tank (coyote tanks/oil tank, 2 gal) for my trike build (GL1200). Mounted on sub-framework of bike. Added electric fuel pump/switch in fairing pocket, run fuel line to fill neck at the gas cap. Turn on when approaching last " bars" on gauge and run pump for approx. 2 min. to fill from Aux. tank. Gas tank bars go "up" a couple but I still have good idea how far is enough(250 mi.).

If you remove your seat you should be able to mount the tank sideways, run line from pipe fittings and mount a small electric fuel pump. You could also then make a filler neck/vented cap to come out under the seat just past the passenger butt. I cut a 5" hole in my fender...this is my fill. Easy fill and some have no idea about the gas cap location.

2TZ

 

[DTR 11TG]

...
I have seen aftermarket fuel tanks that are built to go on the back seat. Something like that might fit on the ice chest rack as well.
...

Do you have a web site I can check out, I already Googled it without luck? It sounds like what I'm wanting for my trike & trailer. Since you have seen it, your help would be great, thanks for the help.

 

[Paul_Trike]

Do you have a web site I can check out, I already Googled it without luck? It sounds like what I'm wanting for my trike & trailer. Since you have seen it, your help would be great, thanks for the help.

http://www.dayledesigns.com/qt/

This is one but if your going to mount on ice chest rack really you could go with so many different styles That hold more Fuel than these.