Larger fuel tank

patmahoney · 07-15-2009, 11:40 AM

As I am thinking about my first long trip I was wondering if it was possible replace the stock fuel tank with a larger one, has anyone done this. I got on this track as I was thinking how nice it would be to have the range that the five gallon tank should have, instead of having to start looking for a gas station after 3 gallons. Just curious.

**coacha** · 07-15-2009, 12:00 PM

There is a place that has an after market larger tank but it is about $900. You could always add an auxiliary tank. I have a 4 gallon one in my trunk and Audio has a 3.5 gallon one on his bike. It cost me about $225 total for the tank and fittings, took my brother and I about 3 hours to get it all hooked up and ready for use.

cactusjack · 07-15-2009, 12:19 PM

It would be relatively easy to add an auxiliary tank to a carbureted Nomad. It would be very difficult and expensive to do the same on a fuel injected bike. Keep that in mind.

**ringadingh** · 07-15-2009, 03:08 PM

A saw a tank a while ago that someone made wider to hold more fuel. It was probably practical but it looked a little out of proportion in my opinion.

**coacha** · 07-15-2009, 07:39 PM

I had the site bookmarked on the old computer but I can't find it now. I think they made a 6 gallon tank that fit the Nomad. I'll keep looking.

poppy · 07-15-2009, 09:24 PM

http://www.tourtank.com/tourtanks.html

Here's a place with auxillary tanks....

AlabamaNomadRider · 07-22-2009, 11:15 PM

By the time I have ridden enough to use 3 gallons of gas, I am ready to stop and fill up. The bike might not need gas but my butt needs to wake up.

**coacha** · 07-22-2009, 11:21 PM

I got my auxiliary tank because the '99 doesn't get the greatest MPG on earth two-up and pulling either of my trailers. If I didn't have it, I'd be stopping every 100 miles and that won't work when going on a long trip. Now, cruising the back roads and such, it is fine but we just fill up at the start of the ride and I don't have to stop again for gas until we get home...probably get around 250 or 275 out of the two tanks.

audiogooroo · 07-22-2009, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoachA

I got my auxiliary tank because the '99 doesn't get the greatest MPG on earth two-up and pulling either of my trailers. If I didn't have it, I'd be stopping every 100 miles and that won't work when going on a long trip. Now, cruising the back roads and such, it is fine but we just fill up at the start of the ride and I don't have to stop again for gas until we get home...probably get around 250 or 275 out of the two tanks.

Aint' it great Coach? :)

bfancett · 07-23-2009, 07:21 AM

I usually stop for has after I have burned about 4.2 gallons. From what others have said, the gas light comes on when you have about 1.2 - 1.6 gallons of gas left, so when the little light comes on you should be able to pull another 40 - 50 miles out of it safely. I have gone as for as about 30 miles after the light came on, and have never had a problem.

IMO, I would just run longer on the stock tank before filling up. With a 5.7 gallon tank, I have only ever filled up with at most 4.2 gallons (after 30 miles of ridding with the light on), so I know that you can go a lot longer without filling up. Beats paying $900 for a new tank. If you have a trunk and don't mind giving up storage space, I guess the aux tank is a good deal. With an FI bike I would think though that it would be a huge pain in the butt to hook up, maybe not since others have done it.

macmac · 07-23-2009, 09:09 AM

My legs get clamped up too tight if I don''t stop and walk... I hauled a trailer from NH to Cal on a 01 1500, even crossing Rt 50 in Nevada, all on just a stock tank. I never carried any jug ever.

My butt does ok, but my legs won't, and I think I look silly flopping on the ground like a trout out of water near a gas pump, so I just stop and get gas at apx 170 miles. (pre yellow light on my particular bike)

patmahoney · 07-23-2009, 09:57 AM

After my first longish trip I realize the timing works out pretty well, when I needed gas I also needed to get off my butt and stretch my legs. Ride and learn

ponch · 07-23-2009, 03:37 PM

We do need to get off once in awhile, but there are a few places in north america where you wouldn't make it on a full tank on a Nomad, which at best is around 200 miles, at least for me, and sometimes less. So, make sure you know how far to the next gas station. :)

macmac · 07-23-2009, 05:17 PM

I had the idea Rt 50 in Nevada called the Lonliest Highway in America was it... For a fact there is some really stupid skeeters on tha road who don't know enuff ta' bite!

**coacha** · 07-23-2009, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiogooroo

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoachA

I got my auxiliary tank because the '99 doesn't get the greatest MPG on earth two-up and pulling either of my trailers. If I didn't have it, I'd be stopping every 100 miles and that won't work when going on a long trip. Now, cruising the back roads and such, it is fine but we just fill up at the start of the ride and I don't have to stop again for gas until we get home...probably get around 250 or 275 out of the two tanks.

Aint' it great Coach? :)

Yes it is. I just have to remember to chose a tank sometimes after filling up, lol. I've forgotten to turn a tank on two or three times...kinda embarrassing when you have 8 gallons of fuel and the thing goes about 15 feet and dies, lol

07-15-2009, 11:40 AM	#1
patmahoney Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hingham, MA Posts: 450	Larger fuel tank As I am thinking about my first long trip I was wondering if it was possible replace the stock fuel tank with a larger one, has anyone done this. I got on this track as I was thinking how nice it would be to have the range that the five gallon tank should have, instead of having to start looking for a gas station after 3 gallons. Just curious. __________________ 2002 Nomad 1500 - Black and Red 2011 Nomad 1700 - Black and Silver MAPGR Ride Captain Enjoy the ride.... Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

07-15-2009, 12:00 PM	#2
coacha Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 6,259	Larger fuel tank There is a place that has an after market larger tank but it is about $900. You could always add an auxiliary tank. I have a 4 gallon one in my trunk and Audio has a 3.5 gallon one on his bike. It cost me about $225 total for the tank and fittings, took my brother and I about 3 hours to get it all hooked up and ready for use. __________________ Ron "Coach" Allan, Haysville, KS 1999 Nomad Wine and Red "KawaTanker" 2009 BMW R1200RT 2003 BMW K1200LT "Magic Carpet" DOA 11/7/2015 VBA #00291 IBA # 41995 DS #320 '08 Elkins, WV; '09 Helen, GA; '09 Custer, SD; '10 Stanton, VA; '11 Maggie Valley; '12 Townsend, TN; '13 Estes Park; '13 Blairsville, GA; '15 Eureka Springs; '16 Helen; '18 Custer, SD
	0

07-15-2009, 12:19 PM	#3
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Larger fuel tank It would be relatively easy to add an auxiliary tank to a carbureted Nomad. It would be very difficult and expensive to do the same on a fuel injected bike. Keep that in mind. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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07-15-2009, 03:08 PM	#4
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Larger fuel tank A saw a tank a while ago that someone made wider to hold more fuel. It was probably practical but it looked a little out of proportion in my opinion. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

07-15-2009, 07:39 PM	#5
coacha Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 6,259	Larger fuel tank I had the site bookmarked on the old computer but I can't find it now. I think they made a 6 gallon tank that fit the Nomad. I'll keep looking. __________________ Ron "Coach" Allan, Haysville, KS 1999 Nomad Wine and Red "KawaTanker" 2009 BMW R1200RT 2003 BMW K1200LT "Magic Carpet" DOA 11/7/2015 VBA #00291 IBA # 41995 DS #320 '08 Elkins, WV; '09 Helen, GA; '09 Custer, SD; '10 Stanton, VA; '11 Maggie Valley; '12 Townsend, TN; '13 Estes Park; '13 Blairsville, GA; '15 Eureka Springs; '16 Helen; '18 Custer, SD Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

07-15-2009, 09:24 PM	#6
poppy Advanced Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Utah; 2004 Nomad 1500 Posts: 510	Larger fuel tank http://www.tourtank.com/tourtanks.html Here's a place with auxillary tanks....
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07-22-2009, 11:15 PM	#7
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Larger fuel tank By the time I have ridden enough to use 3 gallons of gas, I am ready to stop and fill up. The bike might not need gas but my butt needs to wake up. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
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07-22-2009, 11:21 PM	#8
coacha Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 6,259	Larger fuel tank I got my auxiliary tank because the '99 doesn't get the greatest MPG on earth two-up and pulling either of my trailers. If I didn't have it, I'd be stopping every 100 miles and that won't work when going on a long trip. Now, cruising the back roads and such, it is fine but we just fill up at the start of the ride and I don't have to stop again for gas until we get home...probably get around 250 or 275 out of the two tanks. __________________ Ron "Coach" Allan, Haysville, KS 1999 Nomad Wine and Red "KawaTanker" 2009 BMW R1200RT 2003 BMW K1200LT "Magic Carpet" DOA 11/7/2015 VBA #00291 IBA # 41995 DS #320 '08 Elkins, WV; '09 Helen, GA; '09 Custer, SD; '10 Stanton, VA; '11 Maggie Valley; '12 Townsend, TN; '13 Estes Park; '13 Blairsville, GA; '15 Eureka Springs; '16 Helen; '18 Custer, SD
	0

07-23-2009, 07:21 AM	#10
bfancett Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: MI Posts: 182	Larger fuel tank I usually stop for has after I have burned about 4.2 gallons. From what others have said, the gas light comes on when you have about 1.2 - 1.6 gallons of gas left, so when the little light comes on you should be able to pull another 40 - 50 miles out of it safely. I have gone as for as about 30 miles after the light came on, and have never had a problem. IMO, I would just run longer on the stock tank before filling up. With a 5.7 gallon tank, I have only ever filled up with at most 4.2 gallons (after 30 miles of ridding with the light on), so I know that you can go a lot longer without filling up. Beats paying $900 for a new tank. If you have a trunk and don't mind giving up storage space, I guess the aux tank is a good deal. With an FI bike I would think though that it would be a huge pain in the butt to hook up, maybe not since others have done it.
	0

07-23-2009, 09:09 AM	#11
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Larger fuel tank My legs get clamped up too tight if I don''t stop and walk... I hauled a trailer from NH to Cal on a 01 1500, even crossing Rt 50 in Nevada, all on just a stock tank. I never carried any jug ever. My butt does ok, but my legs won't, and I think I look silly flopping on the ground like a trout out of water near a gas pump, so I just stop and get gas at apx 170 miles. (pre yellow light on my particular bike) __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

07-23-2009, 09:57 AM	#12
patmahoney Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hingham, MA Posts: 450	Larger fuel tank After my first longish trip I realize the timing works out pretty well, when I needed gas I also needed to get off my butt and stretch my legs. Ride and learn __________________ 2002 Nomad 1500 - Black and Red 2011 Nomad 1700 - Black and Silver MAPGR Ride Captain Enjoy the ride....
	0

07-23-2009, 03:37 PM	#13
ponch Sr. Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Way East Valley Posts: 12,015	Larger fuel tank We do need to get off once in awhile, but there are a few places in north america where you wouldn't make it on a full tank on a Nomad, which at best is around 200 miles, at least for me, and sometimes less. So, make sure you know how far to the next gas station. :) __________________ Ponch VBA 0019 VROC 8109-R BMWMOA 162849 BMWRA 41335 BMW: When you care enough to ride the very best. My Motorrad Blog My Motorrad YouTube 2009 BMW R1200RT Previous bikes:2007 Nomad \| 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic \| 1984 GPz750 \| 1978 KZ1000A2 Rallies: Custer '09\|Prairie Du Chien '10\|Crescent City '11
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07-23-2009, 05:17 PM	#14
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Larger fuel tank I had the idea Rt 50 in Nevada called the Lonliest Highway in America was it... For a fact there is some really stupid skeeters on tha road who don't know enuff ta' bite! __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

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