Auxiliary Fuel tanks (Fuel Cells)

[aSTerix]

I was reading the fuel pump replacement article and came across these two posts :

First, someone farkled two vent hoses into the tank.

Larry, has anyone suggested those extra hoses may have been connection point for an auxiliary fuel tank? Just a thought.

The idea of having auxiliary fuel tanks is appealing , was wondering if anyone had more info on how this was possibly done

 

[Andrew Shadow]

The Ron Majors ST1100 fuel cell was by far the most aesthetically appealing one that I have seen for the ST1100. It replaced the OEM rear fender. It looked much better than a square tank stuck back there. It was also filled via gravity while filling the OEM tank and was drained by gravity as the OEM tank drained. This design meant that no additional fuel inlet, fuel caps or additional fuel pumps were required. This made it pretty well failure proof. I did a quick search and didn't find the original article featuring Ron and his pictures that used to be around on the internet. I found the below video. It is not the original Ron Major's design but the concept is the same and will give you an idea.

Samson / Ron Major Taildragger questions.

Ron Major Aux Tank Installation Video - Honda ST1100 tail dragger tank

 

[Larry Fine]

Are these kits still available?

 

[Obo]

Here's some examples....

 

[SMSW]

You might also look at the Iron Butt Assoc. website. Most of the competitors use aux fuel tanks mounted where a top box goes.

 

[Andrew Shadow]

Here's some examples....

Not what I remember of the Ron Major ST1100 fuel cell. I seem to recall that it was roughly the same shape as the OEM fender as opposed to these types that are square tanks. This made it a much more aesthetically appealing design. My memory could be playing tricks on me however.

I found the article about the Ron Major's ST1100 fuel cell but no pictures.
From the article;
The design and construction of this fuel cell is beautiful in its simplicity. There is no complicated plumbing, no valves to open, no additional fuel pump to fail, no switches to actuate. The system is 100% automatic, requiring no intervention from the rider. Just pull into your gas station, pump in your eleven gallons, then cruise another 400-500 miles!

Ron Major's ST1100 fuel cell.

 

[aSTerix]

You might also look at the Iron Butt Assoc. website. Most of the competitors use aux fuel tanks mounted where a top box goes.

Thats an excellent suggestion, found this sub forum covering fuel cells: https://forum.ironbutt.org/index.php?forums/general-fuel-cells.50/

 

[aSTerix]

Ron Major Aux Tank Installation Video - Honda ST1100 tail dragger tank

This is also a really useful video in general about the fuel tank and pump. It did make me chuckle at time 26:30 when one of the guys is working on the removed fuel tank with a lit cigarette in his fingers about a couple of inches from the recently drained tank !!

 

[Ron]

"Are these kits still available?"

From the manufacturer, not since about 2013. Might find one on ebay or Iron Butt site mentioned. They add 3-3 1/2 gal. There was an 1100 for sale or auction posted a few weeks ago. It had the tail dragger aux. tank on it plus some other goodies on it. Sold for about $1100.

 

[Obo]

If you don't want a top case, there are options available for gravity feed setups.

@drbuzzard has one on his ST1300 I believe.


There are other styles too that replace the rear seat.



There's also this custom made one I like. It's not an ST but the company makes custom fuel cells. Likely pricey though!
You also lose a side case (or two) but it helps keep the weight lower which is a good thing.

Fuel Safe Systems

Fuel Safe manufactures the highest quality racing fuel cells, fuel bladders, and custom fueling solutions for motorsports, marine, military, and more!

fuelsafe.com

I think I'd prefer a gravity feed vs an electric pump option though.

 

[beemerphile]

I had the same 5 gallon Summit Racing rectangular aluminum tank on two motorcycles. I still have it in storage and it could be adapted to the ST using a police seat and custom mounting. For my current use, the fuel range of the bike is adequate. Every aux. tank installation has drawbacks of cost, weight, space, and ease of refueling. Unless it is really needed, not having one has benefits that shouldn't be overlooked. Five gallons of gas is heavy and potentially dangerous, so the mounts need to be ROCK STEADY. I had a personal requirement that I was able to lift the bike by the gas tank. Both of these tanks were mounted with six hard points to the frame. All of the tubing was stainless braided with AN fittings and valves.

Both times gravity feed with rollover vents and the main tank venting through the auxiliary tank. Tank cover was a custom built Linda T number...

 

[SMSW]

@drbuzzard has one on his ST1300 I believe.

I like the cylindrical type. If that's not enough, one could get a used 500lb propane tank, hoist it up there and plumb it as an aux gasoline tank. Handling might be a bit compromised. That Ducati tank is outstanding, until of course you lay the bike down at 70 mph, the plastic wears through on the asphalt and everything goes up in a magnificent explosion.

 

[Whooshka]

You guys who can sit in the saddle that long impress me. Even with the stock tank I've got to get off and stretch about half way thru it's range.

I may not HAVE to but I know I LIKE to. Part of getting older I guess.

 

[Obo]

I like the cylindrical type. If that's not enough, one could get a used 500lb propane tank, hoist it up there and plumb it as an aux gasoline tank. Handling might be a bit compromised. That Ducati tank is outstanding, until of course you lay the bike down at 70 mph, the plastic wears through on the asphalt and everything goes up in a magnificent explosion.

500lb would be a big tank!

 

[ST Gui]

Not in the same league as LD aux tanks - there once was one (or two?) for the GL1000 that looked like and replaced the side covers. Gravity for the in/out they looked very much like factory kit. They held a about gallon. I don't remember if they were available for both sides or not. But it was a beauty.

 

[beemerphile]

You guys who can sit in the saddle that long impress me. Even with the stock tank I've got to get off and stretch about half way thru it's range.

I have occasionally ridden tank-to-tank with 10-1/2 gallons of fuel but not many times. It hurts. But, I have found it possible to stop without buying fuel. I think the longest distance in North America between stations is 255 miles, so theoretically an ST can take on all of North America without extra fuel. You have to consider that with long-distance travel in remote areas where fuel supplies are sketchy that you don't get to use your full range. You have to increase your reserve margin if you are not sure where the next fuel is or whether the next station will have any. I've seen times where I was filling up at 250 miles because of the uncertainty. Without the extra, I would have been filling up at 100-120 miles to make sure I didn't get demoted to pedestrian. I recall pulling into Coldfoot, AK in 2012 to find a half dozen riders camped out waiting on the fuel truck because Coldfoot was out of fuel. Theoretically I could have made it to Deadhorse, but I didn't know what my fuel mileage would would be given the road conditions, so erring on the side of caution I waited with them. The folks there with standard tanks had no options to consider. They were stuck and couldn't even go back to Fairbanks - an option that was still open for me.

 

[SMSW]

500lb would be a big tank!

But think how long you could ride without stopping! My bike would go about 3,416.5 miles - not counting decreased mileage due to excess weight or air resistance (ok, so we mount the tank longitudinally and now the bike looks like a rocket awaiting take-off).

You guys who can sit in the saddle that long impress me. Even with the stock tank I've got to get off and stretch about half way thru it's range.
I may not HAVE to but I know I LIKE to. Part of getting older I guess.

Aye, and some of us have to - more frequent bathroom breaks.

 

[aSTerix]

Fuel Safe Systems

Fuel Safe manufactures the highest quality racing fuel cells, fuel bladders, and custom fueling solutions for motorsports, marine, military, and more!

fuelsafe.com

Wonder if you could get a custom one made to fit in a unigo trailer , mobile gas station !

 

[Obo]

Wonder if you could get a custom one made to fit in a unigo trailer , mobile gas station !

Or just toss some jerry cans in there


Rotopax also makes some interesting containers from the normal to the unique (like this roll bar model.)

 

[SMSW]

Wonder if you could get a custom one made to fit in a unigo trailer , mobile gas station !

Why bother? Just use RTV to plug any holes and filler-up! A quick connect hose (like the brake lines on tractor trailer rigs) and you are ready to go.