Big Tank

[cyclobutch]

Running what I think is a King tank on my '89. Whilst I like the look I'm struggling with the range on it, and I'm a little old to put in too much pushing these days. What are the sensible options for upping the capacity? Ideally as a minimum I'd like say 150 miles on the main tank and another 30 odd on reserve. And I'm not looking for a big twin or full dresser look here either.

Thanks.

[WhipLash96]

I purchased a rubber mounted tank from DS when I re did my Sportster. It has a 4 gallon capacity.

Here are a rear view and a slanted view of my tank. Let me know what you think...

[andyxlh]

great looking bike! By DS do you mean drag specialties?
here's a couple of pics of a 74/77 sportster I built for a mate a few years ago. We put an aftermarket mustang style tank on it, also 4 gallon if I remember correctly. Was very cheap, about 100usd from memory and the shape I thought complimented the bike. They are available from most of the aftermarket suppliers like foghollow and usatwins.
How many litres does that tank you have take? It should be about 12 if it is a king tank, but the '89 cam ewith a smaller tank which takes about 8. 12 liters should get you about 180km onto reserve, and then reserve should take you over the 200-220km mark - it did on mine when I had that tank on. Remember that the nicer, slightly longer 'peanut' tank fitted from '96-2003 will fit your bike and is 12 litres, lots come up secondhand as they are replaced for a 'big twin' style tank.

[attachment removed after 60 days by system]

[WhipLash96]

Thanks, I like what you did to the two that posted a picture of. My tank is 4 gallons and yes I meant Drag Specialties. I am not a fan of the peanut tank all the time because a lot of them are dummy stretched and nt completely functional. I get just over 200 miles to a tank when I am running on the freeway..

[cyclobutch]

Think I've got around 12 litres. Get maybe around 100 miles before I have to switch to reserve. Wouldn't want to go much beyond another 20 miles after that. Suggestions and pics look good, money will be an issue for me so best I shop around and see what I can turn up. I'm doing some other work at the moment which will likely result in respray of various so it's a good time for me to attend to this. Also I'm planning a long weekend early next year taking a ferry up into Denmark and then riding back over a couple of days so a bit more range would be a comfort.

BTW - 4 gallons; is that the weeny US version?

[andyxlh]

Hello mate
yes 4 US gallons - the only thing that is smaller in the USA than the European counterpart! So according to WhipLash that should mean close to 200 US miles (the same length as the European ones!!!) or so on the tank which will solve the problem. The only issue now is one of style I guess...
cheers
A

[DarrellV]

CY, maybe simply as re-jetting your carb.  for better MPG might work better for you. Nothing will beat having a larger tank, But a little tweaking here and there can add up with your MPG.