Tank lift and gas capacity.

[FleshWound]

Thinking of putting a DK Customs 1 1/2" lift kit on the FW (front only). Would like to know from someone who's done this if it affects the tank's capacity?

[DK Custom Products]

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 usable 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.

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.








Clint

[1dn5up]

Thinking of putting a DK Customs 1 1/2" lift kit on the FW (front only). Would like to know from someone who's done this if it affects the tank's capacity?

No- raise the rear as well, deluxe kit, and it's like being stock. I have a gallon left when the LOW indicator light comes on.

[Sunman]

I installed the Deluxe Kit which raises both the front and the rear of the tank. When I first installed the kit I did not install the rear spacer and I did notice that the fuel light came on earlier than when the tank was in the stock position. After adding the rear spacer the fuel light now comes on pretty much the same as when the tank was in the stock position. Normally I fill up before 150 miles as I don't like to run the tank too low because the fuel keeps the fuel pump cool.

Sunman

[scuba1954]

I have the 2" kit on my 2014 trike and when my low fuel light come on I have exactly 2 gallons left.

[Freewheeler2016]

No- raise the rear as well, deluxe kit, and it's like being stock. I have a gallon left when the LOW indicator light comes on.

I did the 2" deluxe lift and today the fuel light came on and I topped it off with 4.2 gallons. So I actually had 1.8 gallons remaining.

My my gauge said I only had 23 miles in fuel remaining.

[cigarman]

I have the 2" kit on my 2014 trike and when my low fuel light come on I have exactly 2 gallons left.

Same with me. I recommend the deluxe lift. You can find my pic posts on the forum.

Yesterday I filled up and got 4.2 gallons when it was showing empty, so there was 1.8 gallons left.

I rode it a while and then went back to the same pump and refilled it. The amount added up to the 4.2 gallons, so I know it was full. This is the same as it was prior to the lift.

BTW, no HD that I have owned had an accurate fuel gauge, all were either high or low.

[Texan]

I put the 2" w/rear tank spacers on my Tri-Glide. Just got in last night from Sturgis. Noticed when ever the "reserve" icon came on I'd fill up with around 4.8gals, meaning I had approx 1.2gals left in the tank. Now I don't know exactly where the fuel pickup is located in relationship to the 1.2gals. I never ran it totally out to see just how much was left when I filled up. Might be something I ought to do, in a more controlled situation, just to see for sure.

Sure got a lot of comments while in Sturgis about the look of the trike with the tank lifted. Most were Wow, what did you do that I can see the whole front cylinder? Gave DK Products a lot of advertising over the past 10 days. Ha!!! One negative was dang, now I would have to clean the tops of both cylinders....more work !!!

Love the product and DK's customer service !!!

8~\o

[toy1ton]

When lifting the tank shouldn't the front and and back and be lifted at the same height

[Texan]

When lifting the tank shouldn't the front and and back and be lifted at the same height

Talked to the guys at DK, who I bought it from, about this very thing, raising the front and back the same distance. They assured me the difference would make little or no difference. Oh, and while I had them on the phone I swapped out the 2" for the 2 1/2". Love the look.

8~\0

[DK Custom Products]

Here is an '11 with a 1.5" lift and Deluxe Option. I was able to use all 6 gallons, no issue. If it had a taller lift in the back, it would look funny, push the seat up too much, and make the fuel pick-up (which is in the center) not be able to get all the fuel out.



Here is a bike with a 2" lift, and No deluxe option. Still looks good, and good air flow over engine, but loses about 1/8 gallon of usable fuel.



Here is a photo of me filling up with fuel...this is on a TG with a 1.5" lift and a deluxe option...as you can see, I got full use of the entire 6 gallons.



Kevin

[Red59]

I have a 2015 Freewheeler that I installed DK's 1 1/2" tank lift with the deluxe option. Rode it out to Sturgis this year and the guy I rode with rides more aggressively than I do and being weighted down more than usual I ended up running out of gas just as we pulled in to fuel up, had to push it about 100'. I topped off my tank with 5.73 gallons, I believe that if there wasn't an incline at the entrance of the gas station I would have made it to the pump.

Red

[rhino 2]

Here is a photo of me filling up with fuel...this is on a TG with a 1.5" lift and a deluxe option...as you can see, I got full use of the entire 6 gallons.



Kevin

Looking at the condition of that pump, I would be highly suspicious of its accuracy...

Just thinking out loud....

[Jack Klarich]

Looking at the condition of that pump, I would be highly suspicious of its accuracy...

Just thinking out loud....

All pumps MUST be certified ( most states call for pump and tank tests EVERY 2 years) others follow different guides BUT ALL do have to be cerified by State Weight and Measures

[rhino 2]

All pumps MUST be certified ( most states call for pump and tank tests EVERY 2 years) others follow different guides BUT ALL do have to be cerified by State Weight and Measures

And like my Old Man would say... If the Dog didn't stop to take a pee he would of caught the Cat.....Theres a violation right there....Illegible face plate....

[DK Custom Products]

Looking at the condition of that pump, I would be highly suspicious of its accuracy...

Just thinking out loud....

I would agree with you, except I've filled up several times putting in a tad over 6 gallons.

Here's a pic of another time, different year, different State...this is at a gas station just outside of Meridian, ID.



The first one I posted above was at a station in Arkansas or Texas...I know it was on the second day of a long trip we made when we first got the '14 TG...at the time I did not how accurate the gas gauge was. The time right outside of Meridian was just poor planning on my part.

A few other times when I've put in a bit over 6 gallons were locally, when I was just messing around to see how far I could go.

Kevin

[rhino 2]

I would agree with you, except I've filled up several times putting in a tad over 6 gallons.

A few other times when I've put in a bit over 6 gallons were locally, when I was just messing around to see how far I could go.

Kevin

I was just tweeting Jack a little...

I've lived dangerously once or twice with my 11 Tri, And once got 5.9 in...

But i was only that brave when i had my Gal.and a 1/2 tank squirreled away in the trunk...

[Jack Klarich]

And like my Old Man would say... If the Dog didn't stop to take a pee he would of caught the Cat.....Theres a violation right there....Illegible face plate....

Good eye

Too bad the overweight inspector was choking on a Big Mac and passed that pump

[rhino 2]

Good eye

Too bad the overweight inspector was choking on a Big Mac and passed that pump

So many pumps to inspect, And so few inspectors to inspect the so many pumps that need inspecting.....