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How do you fuel the bike with the tank off?

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  • How do you fuel the bike with the tank off?

    I was working on syncing the carbs on my XS11 today. I fueled the bike from a mason jar with nipples in the lid for this, but it was really not very easy, and I was worried about leaks and breaking the jar. How does everyone else fuel their bike when they need to run it without the gas tank attached? The fuel in the carbs will only run the bike for a few minutes, so you almost have to have some kind of alternative tank. I'd love to hear some decent ideas...
    Guy

    1980 XS1100G - Frankenstein - resurrected from the impound lot
    1991 Suzuki GS500E (not running yet)
    2003 Burgman AN400 - Blue Belle
    2005 Burgman AN400 - Silver Belle

  • #2
    Pick up a used fuel tank off a riding mower; they're rated for fuel, usually plastic, and can be gotten cheap....
    Fast, Cheap, Reliable... Pick any two

    '78E original owner - resto project
    '78E ???? owner - Modder project FJ forks, 4-piston calipers F/R, 160/80-16 rear tire
    '82 XJ rebuild project
    '80SG restified, red SOLD
    '79F parts...
    '81H more parts...

    Other current bikes:
    '93 XL1200 Anniversary Sportster 85RWHP
    '86 XL883/1200 Chopper
    '82 XL1000 w/1450cc Buell, Baker 6-speed, in-progress project
    Cage: '13 Mustang GT/CS with a few 'custom' touches
    Yep, can't leave nuthin' alone...

    Comment


    • #3
      I just used an empty oil quart with the bottom cut off, then I screwed on the nipple from a gear oil quart.
      "The Hooligan" XJ1100, Virago Gauge Pods, Screaming Eagle Mufflers, K&N Filter, hand made rear fender, side covers, and solo seat, round bar conversion, small headlight, tail light, and cat eye turn signals, chip fuses, rewired the right way.

      Pics: http://s1236.photobucket.com/user/ya...?sort=6&page=1

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      • #4
        boat tank with primer bulb??
        Chris
        twitter.com/thechrisdemon -- instagram.com/chrisdemon

        2012 HD FXDC -- bone stock... for now...

        1980 XS1100 Special --
        under restoration for brother

        2010 HD XL1200 -- good riddance...

        1981 KZ650 CSR -- Found a good/new Home

        1980 CX500 -- livin' it up in FL

        Comment


        • #5
          Regular tank with longer fuel lines.
          Nathan
          KD9ARL

          μολὼν λαβέ

          1978 XS1100E
          K&N Filter
          #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
          OEM Exhaust
          ATK Fork Brace
          LED Dash lights
          Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters

          Green Monster Coils
          SS Brake Lines
          Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

          In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

          Theodore Roosevelt

          Comment


          • #6
            Pete,

            You can use the stock tank for this, turn it backwards. I put a piece of 2X4 across the frame around the battery area to stabilize the tank. You can put the petcocks in roughly the same position, just reversed. Hook your fuel lines up to the petcocks, and run the engine to do your tuning. When finished, flip it back.

            Admittedly, I am looking for a used mower tank as Steve suggest since I would like to have a more manageable fuel source.
            Life is what happens while your planning everything else!

            When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt.

            81 XS1100 Special - Humpty Dumpty
            80 XS1100 Special - Project Resurrection


            Previously owned
            93 GSX600F
            80 XS1100 Special - Ruby
            81 XS1100 Special
            81 CB750 C
            80 CB750 C
            78 XS750

            Comment


            • #7
              Thanks for the info. I'd have to say that all of those suggestions are better than what I was doing. I think I like the mower tank the best though.
              Guy

              1980 XS1100G - Frankenstein - resurrected from the impound lot
              1991 Suzuki GS500E (not running yet)
              2003 Burgman AN400 - Blue Belle
              2005 Burgman AN400 - Silver Belle

              Comment


              • #8
                I just turn my tank backwards where the seat goes.
                1) Fire up Internet Explorer
                2) http://www.yahoo.com
                3) type "www.mapquest.com" into the Yahoo search page.
                4) go about day as VP managing multi-million dollar financial contracts.

                Comment


                • #9
                  As DGXSER stated. Majority of us just flip the tank around setting where seat went. Easily done, as most here have cris-crossed the fuel lines for normal, uncrimped fuel flow, so the lines are plenty long enough not crossing each other to plug onto the petcocks.
                  81H Venturer1100 "The Bentley" (on steroids) 97 Yamaha YZ250(age reducer) 92 Honda ST1100 "Twisty"(touring rocket) Age is relative to the number of seconds counted 'airing' out an 85ft. table-top.

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                  • #10
                    Fuel

                    Hello,

                    Any of these methods will work. Do yourself and your family a favor - DO NOT put gasoline in a glass container! I have witnessed the extreme results of why you should avoid doing this. Be safe and keep a fire extinguisher nearby.

                    MP
                    1981 XS1100H Venturer
                    K&N Air Filter
                    ACCT
                    Custom Paint by Deitz
                    Geezer Rectifier/Regulator
                    Chacal Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines
                    Chrome Front Rotor & Caliper Covers
                    Stebel Nautilus Horn
                    EBC Front Rotors
                    Limie Accent Moves On In 2015

                    Mike

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Hang the tank from the garage rafters directly above the bike.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Hi Guy,
                        I found one of these small gas tanks at a swapmeet:-
                        http://www.motorizedbicycle.ca/miscellaneous-parts.html
                        Could also be the start of an extreme chopper project.
                        Fred Hill, S'toon
                        XS11SG with Spirit of America sidecar
                        "The Flying Pumpkin"

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Just be aware that if the auxiliary tank is suspended too high above the bike, you will never get your float needles to seal properly. One fella on here tore his carbs apart so many times before finally realizing the gravity of the fuel from his auxiliary tank was too great and overpowering the floats.
                          2H7 (79)
                          3H3

                          "If it ain't broke, modify it"

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Excellent point Phil!! There is such a thing as to much head....pressure that is.
                            Life is what happens while your planning everything else!

                            When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt.

                            81 XS1100 Special - Humpty Dumpty
                            80 XS1100 Special - Project Resurrection


                            Previously owned
                            93 GSX600F
                            80 XS1100 Special - Ruby
                            81 XS1100 Special
                            81 CB750 C
                            80 CB750 C
                            78 XS750

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Auxilliary fuel tanks. Priced reasonable brand new. $25-$40.

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