Proper fuel level in Reda gas can

[Y Rider]

I have two Reda 1 Gal cans I keep filled and in my Spyder left saddlebag when I go on longer trips. Other than adding fuel stabilizer I have a couple questions.

1) Concerning the amount of fuel I to add. Do I fill it up as far as possible to minimize any air or leave space for expansion?

2) How long can I expect to keep the fuel in the Reda cans before replacing?

 

[DynamoBT]

May I add another question to these first ones please?

What do people feel about putting the Reda gas can filled in the front trunk of the Spyder? I have no luggage, yet. Even then, don't know if I will go so far as getting the BRP side bag set up. So, only the trunk is available to hold a gas can at this time.

Better off not? What??

TIA for responses.

 

[Mr. White]

You will get many opinions on your questions, so here is mine. Fill up until it lightly squrts out of the small slits next to your filler tube...any more and it will spill out on your panel. Stop when you can see the gas in the filler tube, stop. Forcing more will not give you a pint and may make a mess.

I would rotate your extra cans every 30-45 days or so. It will keep fresh fuel in them and is not much of a chore. Perhaps one on a fill and the other the next fill. If you use Sta-Bil, you can add several weeks to this rotation.

I do not carry extra gas, yet. If you can secure the extra can in the front you could be fine, however a front end collision could lead to problems, as you know. I, personally, won't carry extra gas while riding locally. I will rethink this on longer road trips.

JMHO

:spyder2:

 

[boborgera]

May I add another question to these first ones please?

What do people feel about putting the Reda gas can filled in the front trunk of the Spyder? I have no luggage, yet. Even then, don't know if I will go so far as getting the BRP side bag set up. So, only the trunk is available to hold a gas can at this time.

Better off not? What??

TIA for responses.

I have a similar tank that holds one and a half gallons i kept it in either the trunk or in my Nelson Riggs 950 side bag. So far never had any problems.

 

[wyliec]

You will get many opinions on your questions, so here is mine. Fill up until it lightly squrts out of the small slits next to your filler tube...any more and it will spill out on your panel. Stop when you can see the gas in the filler tube, stop. Forcing more will not give you a pint and may make a mess.

I would rotate your extra cans every 30-45 days or so. It will keep fresh fuel in them and is not much of a chore. Perhaps one on a fill and the other the next fill. If you use Sta-Bil, you can add several weeks to this rotation.

I do not carry extra gas, yet. If you can secure the extra can in the front you could be fine, however a front end collision could lead to problems, as you know. I, personally, won't carry extra gas while riding locally. I will rethink this on longer road trips.

JMHO

:spyder2:

I think he was asking about the REDAs in regards to filling.

I have 2 REDAs and small saddlebags to place them in. However, I've had graphics installed and the saddlebags would touch the panels and probably rub some; so, I probably will put one in the trunk on long trips.

 

[Mr. White]

You are right, I read too much into it....later

:spyder2:

 

[burg650]

Here is something I found while using one of these, the green ring that you turn before you push down to let fuel flow is a waist of time. It actually make it harder to use and cause me to spill fuel (used it twice to help out stranded biker) so I have cut it off and now much easer to operate and you have to really make sure the cap is very tight.

 

[Y Rider]

Thanks for the info. I agree that the green safety latch is a pain. I may also look into removing it.

I ended up doing some research on "filling gas cans" and it looks like you should only fill the container to about 95% full. This will allow room for expansion if needed. I was thinking if it was completely full there wouldn't be any sloshing. Also I guess even with stabilizer it is suggested to use the gas ASAP. I figure I'll just change it out once a month or so. I'm not looking for peak performance. I just want to be able to get to a gas station in an emergency.

 

[Spyderal11]

reda gas can

what is a reda gas can, and do you get any gas smell putting them in your side bags? also can you put them in your trailer?:dontknow:

 

[NorthStar]

Here is the website for the Reda Gas Can

www.redagascan.com


FYI: For Southern Ontario Riders these can be purchased from Rocky's HD in London. The web site lists Canadian distributors in all of the provinces.

 

[ArkTerry]

what is a reda gas can, and do you get any gas smell putting them in your side bags? also can you put them in your trailer?:dontknow:

Good info in this post inlcuding Lamont video:

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25290

 

[Y Rider]

what is a reda gas can, and do you get any gas smell putting them in your side bags? also can you put them in your trailer?:dontknow:

These were originally designed to fit in a HD saddle bag or trunk. However, two of them will fit perfectly in the left Spyder saddle bag and not slide around. You could also put them in your trailer but need to restain them so they will not move. I had my two Reda cans in my Spyder saddle bag for a couple weeks and didn't have any leaks or smell of fumes. Just make sure the cap is tight. :2thumbs:

 

[ThreeWheels]

I just finished nearly 3000 miles in 6 riding days, including a SS1K.

Had a Reda gas can filled all the time.

NEVER came close to needing it.

I think I over worried the gas thing. Went 150 miles between fillups and never put in more than 4.7 gallons.

It was nice to have the comfort to not worry about gas, but with 20/20 hindsight, the worry was unnecessary.

Don't get me wrong, the Reda is a great device, it's just that for me, all it did was take up space I could have used for other things.

 

[Y Rider]

I just finished nearly 3000 miles in 6 riding days, including a SS1K.

Had a Reda gas can filled all the time.

NEVER came close to needing it.

I think I over worried the gas thing. Went 150 miles between fillups and never put in more than 4.7 gallons.

It was nice to have the comfort to not worry about gas, but with 20/20 hindsight, the worry was unnecessary.

Don't get me wrong, the Reda is a great device, it's just that for me, all it did was take up space I could have used for other things.

I agree with you and I have never had to use my "emergency" gas can on any trips yet. But I really like the warm and fuzzy feeling of not having to worry about running out of gas. :thumbup:

Actually I did have to use my emegency gas once. My lawn tractor ran out of gas and I didn't want to have to drive into town to refill. :roflblack:

 

[TicketBait]

I purchased the Reda cans for my trip to Spyderfest. I also added the proper amount of Star-tron to each gallon.

I did two mistakes with my Reda cans, First I removed the dust covers and placed both in the rear trailer 95% full.
I had the area sectioned off so they would not move in transit. When I stoped at my 3rd fuel stop to get something
out of the trailer is when I smelled the fumes and noticed gas seeping out. I emptied out more than half into the
Spyder tank, and cleaned the area as best I could. Made sure nobody wanted to talk about my ride that was
smoking a cigarette too

Then I ran out of gas the next day before a fuel stop, but used what was left in the container with no problem.

I said that I would not run out ever again.:helpsmilie:

FYI, when you run out the bike shuts down in like 5 seconds. So get over and off the road pronto. The second time
it happened I knew exactly what was occurring as I was passing a big rig going 80+ mph, I motioned for him to go by
quickly as i only had a few moments to get over to the right side of interstate 10.

Next day (Easter morning) I run out 5 miles before scheduled gas stop in Sonora Texas. Had to call my auto club
for help. They came an hour later with gas

The photo below was taken by a fellow biker who stopped to lend assistance, although he had no extra gas
with him. I thanked him. Texas hospitality I suppose. :thumbup:

I also figured out why I was running out. I was not completely filling the tank to begin with. I have since changed my
refueling methods. I don't just go by mileage alone. That was my critical error.

I will always ryde with Reda on a trip. I will only fill up 80% to acct for tempature change.

 

[ThreeWheels]

TicketBait

I'm glad you got the use out of your gas can. The all important question..............
How far did you get when you ran out of gas.
Were you pulling your trailer the whole time?

 

[Dragonrider]

I had to coast 4.6 miles on my V-rod w/o gas - it's milage was about the same as my RT…. I'll always carry the Reda on long trips...

 

[TicketBait]

I'm glad you got the use out of your gas can. The all important question..............
How far did you get when you ran out of gas.
Were you pulling your trailer the whole time?

Yes I was pulling the trailer. I had my analog gauges disconnected and relied on the digital. My error was caused in not
knowing i was not completely filling up the gas tank, when I thought I was. I had travelled 115 miles on the odometer,
and thought i had maybe 135 miles total available. The second time I had only gone 110 so i was surprised again. I
was averaging 25 miles per gallon ( I thought) X 5.5 usable space.

I have since learned that just seeing the gas in the tank does not mean it is full. I now make sure to slowly fill and watch
the gas go through the small vents, to insure I get every drop. I now watch to see when the first bar on a level riding
surface goes down 1 bar. If it is before 31 miles I know I am not getting 25 mpg or did not fill it up all the way. I just had
the throttle body replaced and maybe it was drinking more gas. I sure did notice more horsepower with the swap.

All it takes is me getting say 22 miles per gallon and thinking I had filled up when in reality i only had started with 5 1/4 gallons.

So this is my new friend, now that i know how to properly use.

 

[H8CNCR]

Reda Gas Can

Thank you all for this information.

Just ordered my Reda Gas Container for the trip to Durango.

 

[MarkLawson]

I was filling one of my Reda cans the other day and filled it pretty full. When I put the pour spout in the can to close it up, the gas was forced out and all over the outside of the can and ground. I got the impression that the pour spout was closed and took up the same room in the Reda can as it would if it was solid and not hollow. My have been trapped air, but sure made a stinky mess. What do you do with it now, put it in your saddlebag to stink like the outside of the can?