Acerbis auxiliary tank on a 1200GS?

[Drumacoon Lad.]

I run a 5 litre Acerbis tank on my XCountry 650 single which is connected to the main tank breather and allows it to top up the main tank due to the suction from the breather, extending the useful range. Has anyone done something similar with an auxiliary tank on a 1200GS? I'm planning a longish trip on the 1200(Iran) and would like to have this same function. I'd prefer not to have to use a pump. Thoughts?

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

GSA tank conversion?

 

[Schtum]

Ths was posted on here back in 2010 - http://www.ecclespike.org.uk/auxtank.html

 

[Bendy toy]

Why not use Rotopax fuel carriers? They force you to stop and fill the tank but you will know EXACTLY how much fuel is going through the engine.

If you must connect a tank to the bike's fuel tank, you could use a "bulkhead" fitting to connect a fuel pipe directly into the fuel tank. in line QD connectors would keep it safe for when the aux tank is not in use.

Givi Tan-01 fuel cans are another option. They hold 2.5 litres, cost under £20 and one will fit into the adventure side case frame yet still allow the side case to fit. They can be strapped pretty much anywhere on the bike. The can is very reasonably priced but you might want to to find an alternative bracket. The Givi is silly money for a bit of tin and a strap.

 

[Drumacoon Lad.]

Folks, thanks for the comments. Just to clarify, in heading to Iran in a month and looking for a simple solution. The default is to use my TT cans 1 x 2L and 1x 3L attached to my TT panniers. As mentioned I fitted an Acerbis 5L tank to my 650 and it fed the main tank by the main tank breather with the suction caused by the emptying of the main tank. Simples! This means the 2 tanks work together and the yellow low fuel light works for both. Of course I'll probably stop every 2 hours and fill up but it would be good to have an extra 50+ range. The Acerbis tank was useful on the 650 in Mauritania where there is 300 miles between petrol stations.

I wondered if anyone had tried this solution on a 1200. In theory it should work and it seems I have try and see the results.

 

[Bendy toy]

The 1200 has a car type fuel tank with large screw-in access covers and vented fuel filler. Make sure you have the later type pump controller and carry the emergency bypass wire. You would have to pour the fuel in. But the fuel gauge is unreliable so has to be better than relying on a non existent low fuel warning.

The Givi Tan-01 bottle is 2.5 litres so two will give a handy additional range. Rotopax are from 4 litres so even more useful range.

BTW, GS or GSA?

 

[Drumacoon Lad.]

I had a better look at the bike and realise the tank is different on the 1200 than on the 650. As the tank empties on the 650 it sucks air in from the breather tube, in the Acerbis solution we get the system to suck petrol in from the auxiliary tank. On the 1200 there are 2 vent holes near the filler cap so there is no vacuum created in the main tank to allow the Acerbis solution to work. I'll just carry a 2L and 3L TT can on the side of the TT panniers as I've done in the past. Thanks for the input.

 

[Bendy toy]

This is my solution for carrying the Givi 2.5 litre tank on my GSA.

The 2mm alloy plate clears the back of the side case. The bottle is narrow enough to clear the rear tyre and far enough back to clear the final drive and brake.

I can now 1/2 fill the tank (and/or ignore the trip) and not worry about running out of fuel.

 

[APW]

This is my solution for carrying the Givi 2.5 litre tank on my GSA.

The 2mm alloy plate clears the back of the side case. The bottle is narrow enough to clear the rear tyre and far enough back to clear the final drive and brake.

I can now 1/2 fill the tank (and/or ignore the trip) and not worry about running out of fuel.

Bendy

Could you post some better pictures of how you have connected that plate to the Pannier rails please and what have you used to secure it to the Pannier rail
or maybe even some dimensions of the plate

I may just make me one of those



Andy

 

[Bendy toy]

Sure thing Ill get onto it.

The plate is 2mm aluminium. The top and bottom edges are cut out because it follows the Givi bottle shape and looks better. The corners are folded up 15mm and across another 20mm. This puts the outside face flush with the outside edge of the side case frame. The plate bolts to the wheel side of the side case lugs/brackets so does not affect how the luggage case fits in place.

If doing it again I would fold a 10mm wide flange on each end to stiffen the plate stop the bottle sliding. Mine is fine but that would be a worthwhile improvement.

The side case frame was drilled 6mm with a drill ground for stainless. Its funny stuff to drill so best to buy a drill for the job. The bolts are just M6 x 10 with nyloc nuts.

pic to follow

 

[Bendy toy]

OK photo bucket wont accept pdf files. How handy.

Width - 190mm (plus 10 or 15 each side if you want to fold along the edges)
Height - 175 AFTER folding. Mark fold lines at 170 apart then the folded height will be ok. (don't ask how I know this ☹)
Total height before folds 20 + 15 + 170 + 15 + 20
Height of cut out cross section 100mm. I cone drilled holes for the curves, hack sawed the cuts and filed to finish. Laser cutting or even and band saw would be so much easier.
Width of mounting tags 30mm
Fold tags 15mm out and 20mm up. Any more out will foul the back of the side case.

Fitted as shown allows the side case to fit with the bottle far enough back to clear the suspension. Test the case fits ok before drilling the new plate.

Mounting holes are M6 drilled through the side case frame lugs. Use a suitable drill for stainless.
Fasteners are M6 x 10 with nyloc or dome nuts

Retaining strap is a Velcro adjustable luggage tie-down
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Velcro-ad...hash=item3f38b9900b:m:mvAfL-51yDJ_bhHcLM3A6OQ