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DK Custom Billet Tank Lifts - New Sizes & Finish - Q&A
CNC Precision Cut Billet Tank Lift
New Sizes ~ New Finish
The New Style Billet Tanks Lifts are still the same shape, & covered by the same patent. But instead of being 3 pieces of steel, with 4 welds, they are precision cut from 6061 Billet Aluminum with a Stainless Steel Thread & Hardware.
We've been making Tank Lift Kits for well over a decade now. Ours have been different than the various flat metal designs. They are purpose-made, matching the lines of the bike, and have a Lifetime Warranty.
Over a million welds later, we've kept the same sleek design, while evolving the look & function further.
We've also added a 1" option And a Machine Cut Finish, which can be polished to a Mirror, or Chrome-like, finish. Of course, the Gloss Black Powder Coat finish is still available too.
We've been able to keep the price the same, while making a better looking, easier to install, & better fitting, design.
We hope you like them, and they meet your needs. We'll be posting photos, Q&A and general info in this thread.
LINK to the Billet Tank Lift Kits.
A few photos-
Excerpt from above link-
Another misconception about lifting the tank is that it creates a volume of un-used space at the front of tank. On most fuel tanks, there is already an unused "bubble" of air due to the depth of the filler tube. Fuel cannot fill past this recessed filler tube.
Notice that changing the angle of the tank does not affect fuel capacity. In Fact, on most models, you can squeeze in a little more.
Dang ... with the new CNC lifts ... I just might have to order one when I get back ...
Okay ... couldn't wait until I get back ... ordered the 1" with the deluxe option. Of course in the shinny chrome like look ... LOL.
Yeah, I figured the Machine Cut Finish would look good when polished up....BUT, I had not idea how good til I put one on my bike. I was amazed...I'm not a big chrome guy, but those things polished really add a lot!Originally Posted by FuzzyWuzHe
Dang ... with the new CNC lifts ... I just might have to order one when I get back ...
Okay ... couldn't wait until I get back ... ordered the 1" with the deluxe option. Of course in the shinny chrome like look ... LOL.
Kevin
What are you polishing with? Mothers and a Dremel?
I figured what the hay ... do the catch can and the tank lift when I get back ... more shinny ... Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy
We've used a dremel, also just a rag, but have found that a $4 polishing wheel from Harbor Freight, used on a drill or a "grinder" works fastest.
For polish, we've used several different, slightly abrasive compounds. Something like this $4 kit gives you everything you need.
https://www.harborfreight.com/4-piec...kit-43657.html
Kevin
Kind of what I figured ... Might as well do the catch can and tank lift ... i do like shinny things
Yeah, I'm doing the same thing for the Softail....shiny catch can and tank lift. Gonna ceramic coat them to...that way the shine will stay without having to hit it with chrome cleaner periodically.Kind of what I figured ... Might as well do the catch can and tank lift ... i do like shinny things
Kevin
Amazing Product Review by Jason
Great quality product and really helps improve the look of the bike (3in lift). Very straight forward install and in about 10 minutes complete from start to finish. Having a close to empty tank really helped too.
On top of great quality product, I ordered several products on a Sunday night and received a message that the order was placed on hold early Monday morning. I was contacted about part of my order not being necessary and how to accomplish the same thing without their product. It was also pointed out that my discount (10%) was not applied either. Saving a total of $35 on my order, great customer service!
Okay .. got my polishing kit from Harbor today, not gonna do the ceramic thing until I'm ready to do the truck, gotta buff it some, there are some pretty good swirl marks I need to buff out first. Then I'll open the new ceramic stuff ... about 1/8-1/4 of the first one turned to crystal and I threw it away ... I'm ready when the tank lift gets here ...Yeah, I'm doing the same thing for the Softail....shiny catch can and tank lift. Gonna ceramic coat them to...that way the shine will stay without having to hit it with chrome cleaner periodically.
Kevin
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", 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.
Review
I just did the 1" tank lift with the deluxe option and the air deflector wings.
review her post #333
https://www.triketalk.com/forum/thre...Edition/page34
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.
Also, Harleys are all hand assembled. This leaves plenty of variance in fitment, clearance, and tolerance.
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", 1.5”, 2”, 2.5”, and 3” (Softails, and Tourings & even a 4" for a Sportster). 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.
Here is a video from our friends at Granite City Riders, showing the install process and why checking for clearance is important...
Fitment Options, variables and the Deluxe Option (rear 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.
2009 and later Touring models that have the 6 gallon tank can only use a 1", 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.
Murdering Your Ride? Our Black Billet Tank Lift Kit is a MUST!
Since the title says Q and A..
I installed the 1.5 inch with deluxe option on a 2010 Triglide. I followed directions and a few youtube videos. Went together fine, took about half an hour or so since I like to take time. Went for about 80 mile test right on the interstate and my bike overheated, 70 mph with the cruise control on. It was actually running hotter with the tank lift (oil temp was 230 when I got home).
I've checked my oil level, confirmed everything is nice and tight, basically went over the whole thing again, and everything looks good. Another test ride, and it heated up much quicker than normal. The second test ride wasn't as strenuous, mostly surface streets averaging about 40mph.
Is this common? There's not a lot I can troubleshoot honestly and I like the look so I'd really like to figure out what the problem is. As always, any help is certainly appreciated.
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