Samson / Ron Major Taildragger questions.

[Slasher]

I'm looking for owners of the Aux tank that Samson Sport touring made after Ron Majors design for the ST1100. I currently have one of these myself and have had it installed previously however while doing a refurb of the tank which included powdercoating I discovered that the flip up tank cap seal was dry and showing its age. I ordered a new seal kit and while replacing it, I noticed that at some point in my tanks life (I'm at least the third owner) somebody put a piece of fuel line on the screw that holds the seal onto the cap. The fuel line was on the screw between the bottom of the cap and the top of the seal. I can only assume that this was done in an effort to seal the vent off that is on the cap. It wouldn't be necessary to have that vent since the aux tank vents back to the main tank. My question is, did Samson do this or was this possibly done by a previous owner? It would seem me that Samson could've just put a non-vented cap on during the construction of the tank but who knows? The owner of Samson is no longer with us so I can't ask him so hopefully one of you know.

Also, my particular tank has an outlet, the exact same size as the one on the bottom of the tank, on the left side of the tank, at the top, next to the fill cap. It was capped off when I recieved it and I've kept it capped off but I'm wondering what purpose it served? Anyone else have that outlet? I've never seen another tank that had it.

 

[John OoSTerhuis]

Don, I seem to remember some special venting requirements for aux fuel tanks in order to pass inspection for the Iron Butt Rally. I'm sure someone will chime in here to confirm.

 

[Slasher]

Don, I seem to remember some special venting requirements for aux fuel tanks in order to pass inspection for the Iron Butt Rally. I'm sure someone will chime in here to confirm.

Hey John! Now that you mention it, I do remember reading somewhere that Aux tanks can't use a vented cap as their only vent or they won't pass tech inspection but these tanks are also vented through the main tank. Obviously, this tank design passes tech inspection, just if sealing the cap vent was required to do it is another matter.

 

[the_gr8t_waldo]

Sampson in the latter years, offered a "screw on" cap option/ upgrade. I opted to change over. when, after discovering the sad state of my own f.t. cap seals... I did some looking around and couldn't find a replacement gasket set for the flipcap. to get the aux tank to work the vent line HAD to connect to the main. ( someplace above the fuel level, and on the fill neck. IIRC this fulfilled the I.B. requirement. and no venting directly to the atmosphere) first installation I vented to the atmosphere ... it was rather exciting to find out just how wrong I could get things!!

 

[Slasher]

Sampson in the latter years, offered a "screw on" cap option/ upgrade. I opted to change over. when, after discovering the sad state of my own f.t. cap seals... I did some looking around and couldn't find a replacement gasket set for the flipcap. to get the aux tank to work the vent line HAD to connect to the main. ( someplace above the fuel level, and on the fill neck. IIRC this fulfilled the I.B. requirement. and no venting directly to the atmosphere) first installation I vented to the atmosphere ... it was rather exciting to find out just how wrong I could get things!!

i would've preferred a screw on cap myself but, I was thankful just to get a gen-u-ine Samson Taildragger since they are pretty much impossible to find anymore (almost). I was able to find two marine supply companies (I'm not completely sure they aren't the same company) one in Florida and one in California that sell a rebuild kit for the flip cap. It comes with a new gasket, screw, and spring for the catch.

I imagine venting to the atmosphere on this tank would get exciting quickly! I had issues with continually over filling both the aux and main tanks which flooded the vent line leading to fuel flow issues and expansion issues which consequently led to fuel seeping out of the cap. I figured the more gas I could cram on board the better! I had much better luck leaving space in both tanks for expansion.

 

[the_gr8t_waldo]

I had read my share of stories about the slug of fuel in the vent line causing problems for owners. have to say that even though I used rather small hose ( 1/8" primer hose from aircraft spruce for the vent, and the same mat'l in 1/4" for the supply line)) I never experienced so much as a hiccup! my feelings now is that regardless how much fuel gets into the vent, as long as the two tanks can equalize pressure, there'll be no problems on that issue. ( I always filled the tanks to the brim, and I'm pretty sure I got my share of fuel into the vent as well.) Have to say- I enjoyed both installing the tank and having it on the bike. here's hoping you do as well.

 

[Slasher]

I had read my share of stories about the slug of fuel in the vent line causing problems for owners. have to say that even though I used rather small hose ( 1/8" primer hose from aircraft spruce for the vent, and the same mat'l in 1/4" for the supply line)) I never experienced so much as a hiccup! my feelings now is that regardless how much fuel gets into the vent, as long as the two tanks can equalize pressure, there'll be no problems on that issue. ( I always filled the tanks to the brim, and I'm pretty sure I got my share of fuel into the vent as well.) Have to say- I enjoyed both installing the tank and having it on the bike. here's hoping you do as well.

I did just over 3000 miles in 4 days after I installed the tank and I definitely enjoyed the extra range. Still trying to dial in exactly how far I can go after the gas light comes on at various speeds. I was intentionally filling the tank and flooding the vent line to get max capacity but after doing this one time, I had gone about 250 miles which should've been about half my range but my gauge was nearing empty. I thought for sure I had neglected to open the valve on the aux tank but when I stopped to turn it on... It was on. Luckily, I stopped to turn it on at a gas station (just in case) so I went over to the pump and when I opened the cap, I still had half a tank in the aux tank. I looked into the bottom of the tank with a flashlight and saw the fuel swirling around the outlet, filling the main tank. After that, I only fill the main to just below the vent line from the aux and the aux to where the filler neck extends into the tank.

I didnt particularly enjoy installing the tank. Most of it went fine but threading the main line to the bottom of the main tank... Man, that was tough! Ron Major must've been a genius to figure out that that would work! I do love the tank and now I can officially consider my bike an LD ST!

 

[Ron]

I'll add a big +1 on threading the main line! I guess I have one of the older tanks. Or a knock off. My tank has to fill through the main tank. A pain to fill both. I intend to add a filler spout on the aux tank. Can one of you guys post a picture of the tank showing the fill spout? Thanks in advance! :bow1: I'll probably have these guys do it for me (located in Ocala, Fl.).

www.fueltankparts.com

 

[Slasher]

I'll add a big +1 on threading the main line! I guess I have one of the older tanks. Or a knock off. My tank has to fill through the main tank. A pain to fill both. I intend to add a filler spout on the aux tank. Can one of you guys post a picture of the tank showing the fill spout? Thanks in advance! :bow1: I'll probably have these guys do it for me (located in Ocala, Fl.).

www.fueltankparts.com

you might have a true Ron Major tank. I believe his version did not have a seperate fill on the tank. Or, IIRC, the last couple years Samson was making these tanks, you could get either version.

 

[Slasher]

Here's what the flip top fill looks like (after and before powder coating)

 

[the_gr8t_waldo]

I got my own on the used market.......my tank came with the same flip cap, but it was on the other side of the tank. with the bike on kick stand, the tank could be easily toped off. where is the vent routed?

 

[Slasher]

I got my own on the used market.......my tank came with the same flip cap, but it was on the other side of the tank. with the bike on kick stand, the tank could be easily toped off. where is the vent routed?

Putting the cap on the right side makes the most sense, unless they originally put them on the left to keep you from overfilling the tank. My vent line runs down the right side of the frame, crosses over to the left side on the frame member that is in front of the main tank and hooks into the main tank a couple inches below the top on the left hand side. The picture makes it look like it runs to the left but that's just where the hose ended up coming out of the rear.

 

[the_gr8t_waldo]

say SLASHER....I'm spending the day cleaning up the garage. and ran across something you might be interested in. I stumbled across an old fill cap and tube. cheap and probably still available thru Aircraft spruce & specialty. it's a weldable tube and a cap that works by a rubber gasket that expands when a "tab" is engaged http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/thermos.php?clickkey=7373 the fill neck is also on that page. I can't attest to how much pressure this'll take without blowing off, but if you're interested, I'll set 'em aside and mail off to you if you're interested in perusing this alternative.

 

[Slasher]

say SLASHER....I'm spending the day cleaning up the garage. and ran across something you might be interested in. I stumbled across an old fill cap and tube. cheap and probably still available thru Aircraft spruce & specialty. it's a weldable tube and a cap that works by a rubber gasket that expands when a "tab" is engaged http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/thermos.php?clickkey=7373 the fill neck is also on that page. I can't attest to how much pressure this'll take without blowing off, but if you're interested, I'll set 'em aside and mail off to you if you're interested in perusing this alternative.

Hey Waldo, I appreciate the thought but, I think I got 'er licked! When I re-installed the tank after powdercoating, I put the piece of fuel line back in the flip lid on the screw where I found it. Combined with the new gasket on the lid itself, this completely seals the aux tank's fill cap. I even put pressure in the aux tank through the extra port my tank has and the main tanks vent popped off before the aux tank did so in my mind, this is a success!