What are your thoughts on the following: those of you who saw the odd-looking chrome additional fuel tank on the German web site also probably thought it was pretty ugly.
Try this -- If the rear fender were, say, three (four?) inches taller you should be able to fit a tank between and above the rear fender supports. If you keep the same clearance from the wheel, but create a taller tapered fender with a aux tank in it, you should be able to get (guessing here) 6w x 10 long x 3 high volume, or 180 ci of fuel and keep a smooth profile on the bike. Could look nice and get the range up another 30-40 miles.
Problems: (1) possible wear caused by the tire if the shocks bottom out would require a reinforced steel base on the tank; (2) probably would have to eliminate the passenger seat unless you want the seat to be several inches higher; (3) would need a second filler, but could be used as a reserve with a valve. But this would give a true aux tank, even if only 2-3 quarts. Each additional inch in height gives another 60 ci, so five inches is a gallon over the stock setup. Can't recall what 2-4 quarts of gas weigh, but it can't be all that much, so won't shift the CG much.
Figure the tank would be heavy plastic with a curved skid plate on the bottom.
If this works, how much would you pay for it (and note the ugly 5 liter tank from the German site was $1400 or so).
Any comments from those out there with rebuilding experience? Or is the engineer in me gettting the better of things?
Try this -- If the rear fender were, say, three (four?) inches taller you should be able to fit a tank between and above the rear fender supports. If you keep the same clearance from the wheel, but create a taller tapered fender with a aux tank in it, you should be able to get (guessing here) 6w x 10 long x 3 high volume, or 180 ci of fuel and keep a smooth profile on the bike. Could look nice and get the range up another 30-40 miles.
Problems: (1) possible wear caused by the tire if the shocks bottom out would require a reinforced steel base on the tank; (2) probably would have to eliminate the passenger seat unless you want the seat to be several inches higher; (3) would need a second filler, but could be used as a reserve with a valve. But this would give a true aux tank, even if only 2-3 quarts. Each additional inch in height gives another 60 ci, so five inches is a gallon over the stock setup. Can't recall what 2-4 quarts of gas weigh, but it can't be all that much, so won't shift the CG much.
Figure the tank would be heavy plastic with a curved skid plate on the bottom.
If this works, how much would you pay for it (and note the ugly 5 liter tank from the German site was $1400 or so).
Any comments from those out there with rebuilding experience? Or is the engineer in me gettting the better of things?
