Drop tank

[CanDman]

Has anyone installed or considered installing a secondary gas tank or bladder ? I was looking at strapping in a small fire extinguisher under the seat (above the rear wheel) when I noticed just how much space there is in that pocket.......and then I thought how cool it would be to custom make a second gas tank up in there.......for some of the longer hauls.... Any and all thoughts on this would be interesting
CanDman

[racerrad8]

Ramos runs a secondary tank in a bag on the tail. He is the guy to talk to.

Robert - RPM

[CanDman]

Ramos runs a secondary tank in a bag on the tail. He is the guy to talk to.

Robert - RPM

I'm not sure I know Ramos....
CanDman

[racerrad8]

Mike "The Midget" Ramos

Username - Mike Ramos

I'm sure he will chime in when he gets in internet range.

Robert - RPM

[CanDman]

Mike "The Midget" Ramos

Username - Mike Ramos

I'm sure he will chime in when he gets in internet range.

Robert - RPM

Cool....cheers
Kev

[giantkiller]

Yah Ramos is a machine. The first rally I went to was the east coast fall rally. I live in Wisconsin Mike in Cali. He lefIt right before I did. I had what turned out to be a stuck float. Just after dark. So I spent the night and got up early and it cleared up. Rode straight home. And Mike Had posted he was already home.

[Zwartie]

Installing an auxiliary tank interesting? Yes.
Installing an auxiliary tank completely unnecessary? Yes.

I brought a small gas can along for the ride to Alaska for those anticipated "longer hauls" in northern BC, Yukon and Alaska. Didn't need it even once.

Has anyone installed or considered installing a secondary gas tank or bladder ? I was looking at strapping in a small fire extinguisher under the seat (above the rear wheel) when I noticed just how much space there is in that pocket.......and then I thought how cool it would be to custom make a second gas tank up in there.......for some of the longer hauls.... Any and all thoughts on this would be interesting
CanDman

[ribbert]

I do my fair share of long and remote rides, some of which make carrying extra fuel prudent. Once off the main highways here after hours fuel supply is unreliable. To this end I have these, an 8 & 12 litre fuel bladder.



These were made to order by a company that makes bladders for helicopters, planes, bulk fuel and chemical storage etc, they are the real deal. They were expensive but do the job. I absolutely do not like hard fuel containers on motorbikes, the risk of rub through or fracturing over long distances and bumpy roads is too risky. I've done it but I don't like it and I've seen them split.

Having said that, I only occasionally take them and rarely have had occasion to use them. The times I have used them has been mostly due to poor refueling management.

Probably their greatest function is peace of mind, knowing you have hundreds of km's of additional fuel on board takes the worry of passing servo after servo that are closed. I'm sure we've all crept down the side of the road at low speed, running on fumes and praying for a petrol station to appear around the next corner. This scenario has spoilt many a ride for me and yes, I have run out of fuel many times. There is never a convenient time or place to do this.

The times I have used them they have absolutely saved my arse but I can't imagine circumstances that would warrant the work and additional risk of mounting a permanent auxiliary tank. Anyway, I'm looking for a break, a walk around and a coffee after a tankfull of fuel.

If additional fuel is simply to facilitate longer periods of continuous riding, I don't believe that is in the riders best interest. Riding a bike is much more demanding and requiring greater levels of concentration than driving a car and I think a tank full in one hit is plenty and time reset the clock with a break, particularly if you are tired (whether you think you are or not)

IMO of course.

Noel

[CanDman]

Cheers for all the great feedback......obviously Zwarts has never been stranded on the side of the road before....but I have...out your way Noel.....on the rally run outside of Jyndabine......on the Blue Tuna none the less.....Now with CanD's new (hopped up) motor, she guzzle's that piston Ale like Sailor Sam on shore leave....Ya......I also nearly ran out of petro when I did the Cabbot Trail.....I had to double back to Baddeck other wise....no way to reach the next Gas station.......someone once said..."It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it"... so I suppose "completely Unnecessary" is all relative    
CanDman

[Mike Ramos]

Cheers for all the great feedback......obviously Zwarts has never been stranded on the side of the road before....but I have...out your way Noel.....on the rally run outside of Jyndabine......on the Blue Tuna none the less.....Now with CanD's new (hopped up) motor, she guzzle's that piston Ale like Sailor Sam on shore leave....Ya......I also nearly ran out of petro when I did the Cabbot Trail.....I had to double back to Baddeck other wise....no way to reach the next Gas station.......someone once said..."It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it"... so I suppose "completely Unnecessary" is all relative    
CanDman

Howdy CanDman,

PM sent...

[CanDman]

Cheers for all the great feedback......obviously Zwarts has never been stranded on the side of the road before....but I have...out your way Noel.....on the rally run outside of Jyndabine......on the Blue Tuna none the less.....Now with CanD's new (hopped up) motor, she guzzle's that piston Ale like Sailor Sam on shore leave....Ya......I also nearly ran out of petro when I did the Cabbot Trail.....I had to double back to Baddeck other wise....no way to reach the next Gas station.......someone once said..."It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it"... so I suppose "completely Unnecessary" is all relative    
CanDman

Howdy CanDman,

PM sent...

Got it Mike and read it..... I actually sent you a reply to your Yahoo address......thx Mon  

CanDman  

[Zwartie]

Oh CanDman, you silly bunt! Just because it's completely unnecessary doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. Go ahead and install an aux fuel tank and if it makes you happy, then you've done the right thing. When we rode to Alaska I picked up a 5L gas can in Vancouver in anticipation of going long distances between gas stations in Northern BC, Yukon and Alaska. I paid heed to advice given by others to top up the tank whenever we got by a gas station and as a result I didn't need to use the gas can once. Believe me, we were in BFN for days at a time and having that extra fuel just added peace of mind. The Blue Bunny easily gets 300km between fill-ups and if I really stretch it I can get 350km or more to a tank (results vary based on average speed and rate of acceleration). And yes, the Blue Bunny has a 1314 cc Wiseco kit.

My buddy Bruce had a 2008 Moto Stelvio that he took on the trip - the one that crapped-out in Iowa on day 3. The Stelvio was equipped with an 18L tank which seems oddly small for what is supposed to be an "adventure" bike. He installed an aftermarket auxiliary tank that mounted between one of the panniers and the frame. As I recall a fuel line ran from the aux tank to the main gas tank and when the main tank was low he would flip a switch that would turn on a pump which would transfer the fuel from the aux to the main tank. Seemed like a complex solution to an inherent design flaw. I believe Moto Guzzi increased the tank capacity to 32L in 2012.

Anywhoo, it seems like adding an aux tank to an FJ is solving a problem that doesn't exist. That being said, if you want to install an extra gas tank on your FJ just because you can, then by all means go for it. Packing a 5L gas can on long rides will accomplish the same objective but of course it's not nearly as sophisticated a solution. Keep us posted on what your solution is and how it works as I'm sure there are others who may want that extra fuel capacity on hand at all times.

Zwartie

Cheers for all the great feedback......obviously Zwarts has never been stranded on the side of the road before....but I have...out your way Noel.....on the rally run outside of Jyndabine......on the Blue Tuna none the less.....Now with CanD's new (hopped up) motor, she guzzle's that piston Ale like Sailor Sam on shore leave....Ya......I also nearly ran out of petro when I did the Cabbot Trail.....I had to double back to Baddeck other wise....no way to reach the next Gas station.......someone once said..."It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it"... so I suppose "completely Unnecessary" is all relative    
CanDman

[Mike Ramos]

Hmmm, solving a problem that doesn't exist... perhaps not on the road to Alaska but on the many roads of the Western [& Central states], it can be.  But then an adventure may also be experienced....

Excerpt from a post some time ago...


"....As my over the road rides are usually unaccompanied, often fast paced and frequently in desolate and isolated surroundings... 

There is also an auxiliary fuel tank utilized because often stops are few and far between; throughout the Western States there are still remnants of small town America left to explore and the extra range is needed during late or all night excursions.  On other occasions mere curiosity gives rise to a desire to explore an intoxicating and beautiful, seemingly unending and almost overwhelming landscape..."

Not commenting on anyone's view point or attempting to persuade anyone - only stating what has worked well for me for the last 225,000 plus miles... perhaps someday I can make it out to the East Coast...  at any rate, certainly hoping I do not jinx myself...

Ride safe,

Midget.

 

[ribbert]

There is also an auxiliary fuel tank utilized because often stops are few and far between; throughout the Western States there are still remnants of small town America left to explore and the extra range is needed during late or all night excursions. 

Midget.

 

Mike, I love riding at night and envy your opportunity to do so. If I was still able to do it I would probably have some permanent arrangement to extend my range too. Unfortunately Kangaroos (and they are only one of the many things that will kill you) inhabit every part of the country, the only thing that changes from place to place is their density.

This photo was taken from Troys (Troyskie) front gate at an FJ manshed weekend, and he lives on the edge of suburbia in a large coastal town. These are wild Kangaroos out of the bush.



With the invincibility of youth having long deserted me I can no longer play 'roo lotto and enjoy riding at night. There is nothing you can do to minimise the risk of hitting one.

Enjoy your "over the road' night rides.

Noel

[PaulG]

With the invincibility of youth having long deserted me I can no longer play 'roo lotto and enjoy riding at night. There is nothing you can do to minimise the risk of hitting one.

Not wanting to hijack this but...

I know these were banned years ago in Oz, but would they not make an exception for a pair like these? They could have them sweep the roads a night for safer riding. Like we have snow plows here, just call them Roo-Mowers.

Sorry but I couldn't find a safer pic...