[Quickdraw]

I've been studying the crap out of this fuel cell thing - and if it is even somewhat affordable, I'd like to have this design built, but I thought I'd let you all look at it before prototyping to see if you can find anything wrong.

I want to be able to open the trunk and trunk pockets almost fully with the cell in place and have the option to mount a T-bag easily. Also easy, and quick, should be installation/removal.

I've double checked everything several times and I think it will do what I want without banging my elbows...

Feedback appreciated!

 

[SC Steve]

Well it does look good to me. I have never had a need yet for a fuel cell, and the features you show on there would be important. I like the idea of being able to still put a T-pack on there.

My only questions would be:

Does it have a big enough lip around the neck to catch fuel from nozzle before or after fill up. I would not want any getting onto bike, as that never does make for a good scene. I do not know if putting a tube within a tube would be the answer here or not.

Where does one of these actually connect to the fuel lines?

Will it only fit a stock seat? Any of people have aftermarket seats and such. Would the box supports be adjustable?

I personally have a different type of backrest than the Utopia. So am I going to be out of luck with this. I think it would all be about the same amount of space not sure. And for those who have not installed a backrest, is this going to be able to be used as a backrest. I know some people use T-Bags as backrest.

What would be the costs? of such an item?

I hope all of these are understandable and if not, just ask. Maybe I can explain it better.

 

[bugs13]

i would suggest that you make one out of
cardboard and see how it looks,fits,rides
i worked as a sheet metal fabracator for
many years and found this to save money
and tears.........also i think your over
baffeled but that is just my opinion
thats the thing about a one of product
you can make it any way you want

 

[topster]

Fuel Cell

Don't come into Jersey with that. You will have a problem. Illegal to carry spare fuel cans etc on many roads. I don't think I would want that nice soft alum filled with fuel sitting behind me when a "problem" comes up.

 

[Tanker]

Dayle...design looks great. I have sent you a couple emails concerning this. emails because this board is going up and down like a yo yo.

 

[MotorcycleBoy]

What thickness metal are you planning on using? It is missing just one small item. I looked and looked but didn't see an "Unleaded Fuel Only" decal.

 

[Rick M]

Quickdraw, looks good to me. I sure wish someone would come up with a fuel cell that would free up the rear seat so the bike can still be used for 2 up riding. I have a Bushtek trailer and hitch and I'd love to find a cell that I could put some where and still use the passenger seat and hitch. I thought about trying to fab something that would fit inside or below the saddlebags. :idea: Anyway, yours looks good. I have seen something close to it for sale on a web page someplace. Good luck :wink:

 

[Quickdraw]

Does it have a big enough lip around the neck to catch fuel from nozzle before or after fill up.

I think I'll use this type of filler tube with a crew on cap:

possibly from http://www.jazproducts.com
I could use a flush mount cap:

, but I think I can more easily fill the tank if it has a neck. If I go slow at the end I shouldn't make any more mess than an old rag will fix.

Where does one of these actually connect to the fuel lines?

Check http://www.bsu.edu/web/00amleduc/wing/fuel.htm and http://www.eztank2.com/1800-fuel-cell.html for more info.

Will it only fit a stock seat? Any of people have aftermarket seats and such. Would the box supports be adjustable?

That is a concern, but I'm designing it for a stock seat. It fits my butt pretty darn good. If I ever get a new seat it will be a Russell and they can make it the same shape. The supports could be adjustable with a sawsall and a TIG welder. If I was going to mass produce this I would consider that. Great idea.

What would be the costs? of such an item?

Dunno yet, Jon's working on that. What a great guy!!!? I don't see any reason to have it quoted anywhere else if I can keep it in the family.

suggest that you make one out of
cardboard, bugs13

Definitely!!! :roll: Jon's looking into having his shop prototype one out of sheet metal.

Don't come into Jersey, topster

OK, but if I do ever have to roll through there, I'll run faster than a speeding ticket!! I probably won't have to stop for gas in that state either!

nice soft alum

Aircraft quality ain't too soft.

sent you a couple emails, Robert Schilling

Thanks Bob, I forgot about the tipover valve. I may have to relocate the vent or attach the valve to the filler tube.

What thickness metal are you planning on using?, MotorcycleBoy

Foil? Really, whatever off-the-self fuel cells are made of will be fine. I don't want to blow myself up unplanned. :bomb:

 

[DaleC]

Most of the fuel cells I have seen are made from 1/8 inch aluminum. The RCI aluminum fuel cells are made from 5051 aircraft aluminum alloy.

DaleC

 

[Tanker]

saw one guy had a rear mounted tank on his 1800. seen quite a few on st 1300's...or whatever cc that is. now that bothers me. rear end collision??????...ouchie. I run a seat mounted fuel cell..I feel much better doing that as opposed to the rear end mounted tank. seen two guys with internal saddle bag mounted fuel cells for the 1800. gotta run a fuel pump with that setup..and lose your trunk space...so I said no to that idea. as big as our 1800's are, trunk space seems minimal..or am I just so spoiled...I want more space????

 

[Jon]

I just talked to my metal shop foreman and right now they're so busy (for a change) that they haven't had time to burn my other brackets or even get a look at this tank design yet.

It might be the end of the week before we know anything solid - he said making it won't be the problem, especially if we can find the fittings we want to use. Right now, time is the only thing he doesn't have a lot of.

I'll let you know how it progresses...

 

[Quickdraw]

I'll let you know how it progresses...

Thanks Jon!!!

I'm looking for AN-6 fittings right now at http://store.summitracing.com/ and others. I found the JAZ filler neck and cap #547-390-251-03 at: http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ ... rmenbr=361 You guys can probably do better, but I'm looking.

I can't wait to see what Mr Foreman comes up with.

The only thing I forgot to plan for was a roll-over valve on the vent lne. I hope to attach it to the filler neck. I'll work on that next. After your shop gets the whole thing built I can take it to a local place down here for powder coating, unless you guys do that too.

 

[whitewing]

fuel cell

Let me know if you are coming to my town because I do not want to be on the road with you because you are building a death trap I do not think this will be road legal. I can tell you that it will not be tenn. you have to use a approved container for gas and I do not see how you can get this approved

 

[Quickdraw]

Re: fuel cell

Let me know if you are coming to my town because I do not want to be on the road with you because you are building a death trap I do not think this will be road legal. I can tell you that it will not be tenn. you have to use a approved container for gas and I do not see how you can get this approved

Fine :a13: I'm not going to New Jersey either!

 

[DaleC]

Quickdraw - you can probably get them through Russell or I saw a brand by the name of Eric which looked very good at a speed/performance shop last week.

Russell's site
http://www.russellperformance.com/motorcycle/hd/index.html

Not sure yet about Eric, but I'll check.

DaleC

 

[Quickdraw]

Thanks Dale,

Earls has a ton of stuff too and I can get most of their stuff locally when it comes time. I'm thinking Jon needs the bulkheads, but I'm sure we'll come up with something. Your help with this little project has been appreciated!!!!

http://www.holley.com/earlsplumbing/index.html FWIW

Dayle

 

[rottendog]

So where is the tank the cathater will drain into :?:
I get about 42 MPG on the road on the Wing, that's about 3 hours between stops. Now with a 3 to 4 hour bladder this works out well! If I had an extra 6 galon of gas on the Wing, I'd probably be stopping for gas and dry pants.
And having 6 galon of gas in a makeshift tank strapped behind me just does not trip my trigger either. Not to mention the Federal and State regulations this will probably break.
You need a break when riding, both for the first mentioned reason and to unkink and rest.
Gas is not that hard to come by when traveling so you do not need a 1000 mile cruising range :22yikes:
Seems unsafe and uncomfortable to me!

 

[Quickdraw]

Gas is not that hard to come by when traveling so you do not need a 1000 mile cruising range :22yikes:
Seems unsafe and uncomfortable to me!

Hey Rottendog,

I would have never thought I'd be doing this either, but I've been called by the Dark Side. I really want to try my hand at some more endurance riding. I did some 7 and 800 mile days last year and completed my first SS1K for a chiliburger. I had a blast! Some friends of mine are going to run from Canada to Mexico and back for some new IBA record (not speed, but the number of folks doing it at once in, I think, 48 hours). They are not going to stop for fuel but every 325-350 miles. I might want to stop, potty, run around the bike once, then catch up every couple hours, but I won't have time to fuel up. It will be nice to have the option for longer range. Not that I can't stop, I just won't have to. I'm signing up for the NWP Rally soon and I think I'd like to try the Trans-Canada in June. Then there are just the simple times out in the middle of the night in, say Utah, where there ain't nothing open. The tank won't be a permanent fixture, so I can easily remove it for "normal" riding.

Beware the Dark Side, it has it's attraction.
As they say, "If I have to splain it to ya..."

If your curious check here:
http://www.ironbutt.com/about/default.cfm
and here
http://login.prospero.com/dir-login/ind ... 2Fmctourer
There are also some mailing lists and .... you get the idea, "Different strokes ...."

Ride your ride, and enjoy it

 

[Quickdraw]

Quickdraw, looks good to me. I sure wish someone would come up with a fuel cell that would fit inside the saddlebags. :idea: :wink:

I think your looking for a fuel BLADDER Rick. you might find one the right size off-the-shelf, or have one made to fit. Bladders are flexible tear proof balloons that would mold themselves to fit the space available.

Check these:
http://www.atlinc.com
http://www.fuelsafe.com/CustomVintageRa ... dders.html

Some of these smaller cells might fit in a saddle bag:
http://www.rciracing.com/
http://www.jazproducts.com/index2.htm

Let us know what you come up with.

 

[Mike #5060]

I'm watching, this looks like it has potential. would like to have
a fuel cell, and Ron Smith is just to much money this year. Hmmm.