DIY - Carrying extra fuel

headshrink · July 2nd, 2013, 02:43 AM

After some rough fuel-burn calculations for a trip into the mountains, I started looking into ways to carry extra fuel. I purchased a couple 30oz MSR fuel bottles from REI, and while I was looking for a solid, yet affordable, way to mount the bottles, I discovered RotopaX fuel packs. For a little over $100 (total) I'm now able to carry a full gallon of extra fuel, which is only a few more dollars than it cost to buy 2 30oz MSR bottles and cages from TwistedThrottle. How could I resist.

There are several ways to mount the RotopaX, but after considering my options, I opted to mount it flat on the pillion seat. I figured this would be the most versatile position, and I can still drape saddle bags, etc. over it.

Thanks to ebay, I purchased a spare passenger seat. This way I could drill into it guilt-free, and essentially use it as an easy to remove mounting system. Here you see the single unit universal mounting plate, with the optional lock (lock removed in photo).

(after taking this picture, I added blue thread locker to the bolt threads)

Mounted and locked!

The spout stores inside the pack, and is CARB certified. I've read love it and hate it reviews for the spout, but I'll be bringing Nitrile gloves just to play it safe.

The can itself is crazy sturdy. Although I'm not going to test it, I'm fairly certain driving over it with a standard size passenger truck won't hurt it!

So here you have it, a little bit FARKLE, and a little bit DIY.... Alex will have the final word on proper placement in the forum.

EDIT: Fixed picture rotation

Motofool · July 2nd, 2013, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by headshrink

After some rough fuel-burn calculations for a trip into the mountains, I started looking into ways to carry extra fuel..........

It looks great !!!

Did you drill holes through the pillion?

I would thoroughly test the anti-leak capability of that cap when full of gas and over rough terrain.

I have never found one of this caps that are 100% leak proof.

dfox · July 2nd, 2013, 08:26 AM

neat!

definitely a nice backup giving you an extra ~50 miles to find a gas station. Pretty useful in the mountains.

As motofool suggested, I'd be wary of the cap mounted in that position. last thing you need is some gas to drip out, hit the hot exhaust pipe and engulf you in flames.

lgk · July 2nd, 2013, 08:46 AM

nice work, ill probably do a side mount can when i get a 300

headshrink · July 2nd, 2013, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motofool

It looks great !!!

Did you drill holes through the pillion?

I would thoroughly test the anti-leak capability of that cap when full of gas and over rough terrain.

I have never found one of this caps that are 100% leak proof.

Yes, I did drill through the pillion.
I too am concerned about leaks. I could mount the cell with the spout on the other side, but currently have it oriented "up hill" on the side stand.

This bracket below would be a good way to keep the spout up, but you give up the ability to stack stuff on top of the tank, and raise the center a gravity a tad. I still may do this if there's a problem with leakage.

Another option I considered was to hang the tank from the tubing of my Alu-Rack. I ruled this out because my turn indicator is in the way, but if it were relocated this may be a really good option.

headshrink · July 2nd, 2013, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfox

neat!

definitely a nice backup giving you an extra ~50 miles to find a gas station. Pretty useful in the mountains.

As motofool suggested, I'd be wary of the cap mounted in that position. last thing you need is some gas to drip out, hit the hot exhaust pipe and engulf you in flames.

~40 miles with my current setup, but yes... with such a limited range (relatively), it is nice to be able to go on those roads you know is just a little outside your regular fuel range.

My carbon pipe stays cool enough to touch, but I'd be stupid to dismiss the danger.... all it would take is some fuel getting into the opening, or drip down to the metal header. I'll certainly watch it before actually using it with real fuel. I thought about zip-tying a Nitrile glove over the cap.

I hardly ever get the chance to actually USE something like this, but it's fun. I'm considering keeping a single MSR bottle on my rack tube for urban commuting..... or I could just stop for gas. I only ran dry once, but you don't usually forget running out on the freeway in the summer heat.

Snake · July 2nd, 2013, 12:15 PM

Great idea!

verboten1 · July 2nd, 2013, 03:31 PM

We run those things sideways all the time on KLRs and dual sports.

I've not heard anyone complain about a leak yet

crazymadbastard · July 2nd, 2013, 05:31 PM

That's a pretty good solution. Thanks for sharing. I think you can stack em high too.

headshrink · July 2nd, 2013, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazymadbastard

I think you can stack em high too.

Absolutely you can... there's an extension for the mount to accommodate another tank. You can also get the tanks in larger sizes.

Alex · July 19th, 2013, 01:17 AM

Looks great!

/linked

BlueRaven · July 20th, 2013, 10:56 PM

Cool!!

July 2nd, 2013, 02:43 AM	#1
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	DIY - Carrying extra fuel After some rough fuel-burn calculations for a trip into the mountains, I started looking into ways to carry extra fuel. I purchased a couple 30oz MSR fuel bottles from REI, and while I was looking for a solid, yet affordable, way to mount the bottles, I discovered RotopaX fuel packs. For a little over $100 (total) I'm now able to carry a full gallon of extra fuel, which is only a few more dollars than it cost to buy 2 30oz MSR bottles and cages from TwistedThrottle. How could I resist. There are several ways to mount the RotopaX, but after considering my options, I opted to mount it flat on the pillion seat. I figured this would be the most versatile position, and I can still drape saddle bags, etc. over it. Thanks to ebay, I purchased a spare passenger seat. This way I could drill into it guilt-free, and essentially use it as an easy to remove mounting system. Here you see the single unit universal mounting plate, with the optional lock (lock removed in photo). (after taking this picture, I added blue thread locker to the bolt threads) Mounted and locked! The spout stores inside the pack, and is CARB certified. I've read love it and hate it reviews for the spout, but I'll be bringing Nitrile gloves just to play it safe. The can itself is crazy sturdy. Although I'm not going to test it, I'm fairly certain driving over it with a standard size passenger truck won't hurt it! So here you have it, a little bit FARKLE, and a little bit DIY.... Alex will have the final word on proper placement in the forum. EDIT: Fixed picture rotation __________________________________________________ Honda Interceptor VFR800 DLX (2014, 8th gen) Honda CBR500r (2014) - FOR SALE Kawi Ninja 250r (2008) - Restored and passed-down within family, only to be abandoned Last futzed with by headshrink; July 2nd, 2013 at 12:55 PM.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

July 2nd, 2013, 08:46 AM	#4
lgk ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Norfolk, VA Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 EX250, 2014 EX300 Posts: A lot.	nice work, ill probably do a side mount can when i get a 300 __________________________________________________ Ethioknight Memorial Fund- Sticker sale http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=111700

July 2nd, 2013, 03:31 PM	#8
verboten1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Monroe, MI Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '75 CB550:.'82 XV920:.'00 KLR650:.'00 EX250:.'08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - June '15	We run those things sideways all the time on KLRs and dual sports. I've not heard anyone complain about a leak yet __________________________________________________ '82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less.

July 2nd, 2013, 05:31 PM	#9
crazymadbastard I'm crazy,your excuse is? Name: Winston Location: Connecticut Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): 250 2007 ninja Posts: A lot.	That's a pretty good solution. Thanks for sharing. I think you can stack em high too. __________________________________________________ My Cafe Racer Build My intro post

July 19th, 2013, 01:17 AM	#11
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Looks great! /linked __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

July 2nd, 2013, 08:26 AM	#3
dfox ninjette.org sage Name: Fox Location: Boston Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 08 250R Posts: 881	neat! definitely a nice backup giving you an extra ~50 miles to find a gas station. Pretty useful in the mountains. As motofool suggested, I'd be wary of the cap mounted in that position. last thing you need is some gas to drip out, hit the hot exhaust pipe and engulf you in flames.

July 2nd, 2013, 12:15 PM	#7
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Great idea!

July 20th, 2013, 10:56 PM	#12
BlueRaven ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Lil One Location: NB Canada Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250 Black Posts: A lot.	Cool!! __________________________________________________ I'm not small, I'm fun sized

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