My Aux Gas Tank!

[PistonBlown]

About a year ago Bfromla - https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...?16361-Bfromla - and I were discussing aux gas tanks and rear racks on the RS, and I was moaning about the problems of sorting one out over here in New Zealand

Firstly, the local dealers wanted about US$900 for the rear rack on the RS and didn't have any in stock anyway. Secondly the aux gas tanks for motorbikes just about impossible to get here. In both cases all the people who sold them in the US, Canada etc. wouldn't ship them to New Zealand.

In the end I managed to find an eBay seller who had a rack for sale for US$90 who was willing to ship to NZ. Still cost me $550 once shipping and duty was added but at least I had one.

That still left the aux gas tank, and I was planning to modify a gas can if I could find one suitable until...

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While doing an endurance rally, I was first on the scene of another rider who'd just fallen off his bike badly breaking his arm and wrist. His bike was the one with the aux tank on it in the photo above. A few weeks later he happened to mention he wanted to sell it as he'd got a new bike with a lot bigger main tank and I jumped at the chance.

So here's the result (and apologies for the state of Spyder in the photos but I've just finished another rally):

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The tank is mounted to the rack lid with the fuel line fitting running through it as well. There is quick release on the fuel line in the hollow below, so the rack lid and tank can be removed easily. I've put Sugru (rubber compound) around anywhere the pipe goes through holes etc to stop any chance of it rubbing/fraying.

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I routed the fuel line along the right-hand side of the Spyder making sure there was nowhere it would be crushed by the seat etc. Most of its hidden behind the plastic so I've drawn a red line below to show the route it takes. I've also made sure the pipe flows downwards with no kinks etc.

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The pipe is connected to the vent outlet on the tank which would normally go to the canister (I've already removed that). This means that the main tank now vents through the aux tank. It also means that it's just gravity fed with the main tank sucking through fuel from the aux tank as needed.

On the main tank I have a Stant gas cap that's not vented and so there's no problem with fuel escaping there, even though the aux tank is higher - I don't think I'd trust the standard can-am gas cap:-)

If I do remove the aux tank, I have one end of a quick release to attach to the end so the pipe can still act as a vent.

When both tanks are empty, I fill the main tank first, put the cap in place, and then fill the aux tank.

Made a huge difference when doing long distance rides, particularly when gas stations are far apart.

[Bfromla]

you beat me still fooling with mine FYI. However I still have the canister & plan for a pump with electric shut off valve. I’ll get it completed soon enough

[Chupaca]

Well Done.... Very nice set up and does solve your problem nicely. This should give you many more miles/kilometers between fuel stops. Good luck on future ventures and let us know how it works. Only other I have seen was a tank custom fitted into the frunk....

[ARtraveler]

Thanks for the information.

[PistonBlown]

you beat me still fooling with mine FYI. However I still have the canister & plan for a pump with electric shut off valve. I’ll get it completed soon enough

Got a lucky break with the other guys unlucky break which put me ahead of the game:-)

Originally design was going to be a bit more complex with a pump etc but a mate with a Can-am quad bike fitted with an aux tank said he used the vent to connect it which is why I decided to give it a go.

[PistonBlown]

Very nice set up and does solve your problem nicely. This should give you many more miles/kilometers between fuel stops. Good luck on future ventures and let us know how it works. Only other I have seen was a tank custom fitted into the frunk....

Last rally did 500+ kms a couple of times between fill-ups. Was very weird riding along without the fuel gauge going down for ages.

[billybovine]

No need for pump or gravity. Vacuum from the main tank will draw from the aux tank. Aux tanks at one time were common accessory for snowmobiles around here. The aux tank was always setup drawing the fuel out the top, from a dip tube. That way both gas caps could off and both tanks filled without fuel running between the tanks.

[DGoebel]

Wish I could do that for my RT for Iron Butt Rides, I wish I could get near 300 miles per fuel stop. (With my 2 cyl 998).

[cptjam]

Brilliant! I love it. Well done!

[Bfromla]

No need for pump or gravity. Vacuum from the main tank will draw from the aux tank. Aux tanks at one time were common accessory for snowmobiles around here. The aux tank was always setup drawing the fuel out the top, from a dip tube. That way both gas caps could off and both tanks filled without fuel running between the tanks.

Thx good to know & confirms my planned use of shut off valve, so I can hold fuel in AUX until I need it. Not planning iron butt rides, just want the comfort of extra without stopping. I stop enough for all the random sights I find on my trips.

Brilliant! I love it. Well done!

I could use some help finishing it up, if you’re available

[Bfromla]

Any updates, pros & cons discovered along the way?

[Bfromla]

refresh bump for the new year might even get around to finishing mine

[PistonBlown]

There's no signs of any issues with the rack, mount or tank after a years riding - I originally did the work on this over the x-mas break. Checked the fuel line a couple of weeks ago to make sure there were it hadn't rubbed anywhere and all was fine, making grommets using sugru has worked The gas cap that came with the aux tank doesn't always lock down properly first time so I'll be looking for a replacement for that at some point but that's not big issue.

I tend to finish a journey with the aux tank empty as I was worried about it leaking around the gas cap if left for a while. However I did end up leaving for a couple of weeks with both tanks full after a cancelled trip and it was fine.

A couple of times when I know I've got a particularly big gap between petrol stations I've left the gas cap out at first and added petrol via the auxiliary tank, once the main tank is very full I've put the gas cap in and then finished topping up the auxiliary. Just being able to fill the main tank higher than you normally can adds quite a bit to the range.

[Bfromla]

Replacement cap should be ez enough to find, but you have had supply problems before
Maybe these guys can help
https://shop.spunaluminumgastanks.com/Gas-Caps_c40.htmu

[ThreeWheels]

I'm trying to find a post by a member "Mr. Orange" or something close.
He had an RS and installed a custom made auxiliary fuel cell in the front trunk.
Granted, the storage space was dedicated to fuel, but it was a pretty neat arrangement with pump etc.
I can't find it, does anyone else remember ?
Maybe it came to me in the same dream where my 2020 RT was delivered ????

In any event, I don't know if this is available in Australia, and if it is, it's probably cost prohibited.


AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, Here's a reference:

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...l=1#post566916

[Mikey]

I'm trying to find a post by a member "Mr. Orange" or something close.
He had an RS and installed a custom made auxiliary fuel cell in the front trunk.
Granted, the storage space was dedicated to fuel, but it was a pretty neat arrangement with pump etc.
I can't find it, does anyone else remember ?
Maybe it came to me in the same dream where my 2020 RT was delivered ????

In any event, I don't know if this is available in Australia, and if it is, it's probably cost prohibited.


AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, Here's a reference:

https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...l=1#post566916

Wow that's a great idea, but what is he doing with his front end, that's got to have some weight there I would think!! Maybe not as much as mothers suit case!!! Good thing she don't get on this site!!!

[12tree]

This is what I did on my GL1500 when I was doing Iron Butt challenges.
1 - 3 gallon aluminum tank in each saddlebag.
A fuel pump normally used in aircraft.
Some electrical switches.
Brass Tees.
Check valves.
Quick disconnects.
Electric valve ( to switch from one aux tank to the other) like a truck with 2 fuel tanks uses.
Warning: If you put an aux tank inside of an enclosed space, (as in frunk or saddlebags) this area should be well vented, unless you like loud noises.
I could switch from bike's tank to either aux tank with the flip of a switch while riding.
I had 360 mile range.
Warning # 2: When Iron Butt stuff was done, I took tanks out and found that I really hated having to stop for fuel. I reinstalled one tank for regular use.
I don't know that I would try this on a bike with fuel injection and 3 computers.

[UtahPete]

This is what I did on my GL1500 when I was doing Iron Butt challenges.
1 - 3 gallon aluminum tank in each saddlebag.
A fuel pump normally used in aircraft.
Some electrical switches.
Brass Tees.
Check valves.
Quick disconnects.
Electric valve ( to switch from one aux tank to the other) like a truck with 2 fuel tanks uses.
Warning: If you put an aux tank inside of an enclosed space, (as in frunk or saddlebags) this area should be well vented, unless you like loud noises.
I could switch from bike's tank to either aux tank with the flip of a switch while riding.
I had 360 mile range.
Warning # 2: When Iron Butt stuff was done, I took tanks out and found that I really hated having to stop for fuel. I reinstalled one tank for regular use.
I don't know that I would try this on a bike with fuel injection and 3 computers.

Not for the faint of heart or tight budget, I would think.

[12tree]

Yes and yes.

[Twofingers]

This is the way I've always done it, just like you. "The pipe is connected to the vent outlet on the tank which would normally go to the canister (I've already removed that). This means that the main tank now vents through the aux tank. It also means that its just gravity fed with the main tank sucking through fuel from the aux tank as needed."
Where is the vent on the 2020 RT Limited. From your photo I take it, it is on the right side. Can you give me a general location? I have five aux tanks from previous bikes and I'm ready to mount one on my RT. Thanks in advance.

[Knizar]

This is the way I've always done it, just like you. "The pipe is connected to the vent outlet on the tank which would normally go to the canister (I've already removed that). This means that the main tank now vents through the aux tank. It also means that its just gravity fed with the main tank sucking through fuel from the aux tank as needed."
Where is the vent on the 2020 RT Limited. From your photo I take it, it is on the right side. Can you give me a general location? I have five aux tanks from previous bikes and I'm ready to mount one on my RT. Thanks in advance.

2019'

[PistonBlown]

This is the way I've always done it, just like you. "The pipe is connected to the vent outlet on the tank which would normally go to the canister (I've already removed that). This means that the main tank now vents through the aux tank. It also means that its just gravity fed with the main tank sucking through fuel from the aux tank as needed."
Where is the vent on the 2020 RT Limited. From your photo I take it, it is on the right side. Can you give me a general location? I have five aux tanks from previous bikes and I'm ready to mount one on my RT. Thanks in advance.

On my 2011 RS there was plastic insert at the highest point of the tank just in front of the fuel cap (on an RS this is under the seat on the right). The insert had a pipe connector facing forward which would normally go to the EVAP canister. This is what I connected the Aux tank to.

I don't have an RT but I'm guessing it will be similar to my 2017 F3L with a centrally mounted fuel cap instead of the offset one of the RS. Canam have changed the design quite a bit with this and the fuel cap assembly is connected to the highest part of the tank with a short tube. There are two pipe connectors on the fuel cap assembly, one that goes off to the EVAP canister, and other that seems to just go out the bottom of the Spyder. I'm not sure but I suspect the second one is designed to act as a direct vent if the tank was overfilled and probably has a oneway value in it (the EVAP is two way which is why I knew I could use that on my RS).

It's this second pipe that's stopped me doing the same as my RS because obviously the fuel could exit through the second pipe. Also this would mean the pipe would be going in very high after being lower down at the seat. Last time I just relied on gravity to feed fuel into the tank and that would be compromised with this layout.

What I've considered, but not done yet, is removing the tube connecting the fuel tank and cap and adding a pipe connector low down near the tank. Must admit I've not bothered with that at the moment as the range is better on the F3L and for now I just carry an 8 litre fuel bladder on the back:
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[Leroy73]

I ran aux tanks on my last 3 motorcycles, 2 were carburetor so easy. Last was FI with a computer that was over-joyed to throw codes. Bought an electrical “plug” to make it “think” the canister was attached.

Question: will a 2022 RTL throw a code if canister is not connected?

I have 1.8, 3, & 5 gallon tanks. I’d be happy to use the 1.8 gallon thus allowing me to make 200 miles riding into a strong Texas wind at 75 or 80 mph. The 3 would be better.