Changing a Kalahari tank

[Berin]

Mrs Berin and I plan to do a bit of trail riding in the Pyrenees later this year, on her Basic and my HP2E.

The Basic has a Kalahari tank, which ideally we’d take off for this trip, because we don’t need the range, makes the bike a bit more manageable and also so it doesn’t get dinged.

Could anyone tell me the range of a Basic with the smaller tank fitted? We need about 150 miles.

And, any thoughts on where we might procure a tank that’s suitable?

 

[Mad Hatter]

The basic tank is about 19.5 litres so working on 10 miles a litre which is a good average you should be good for 200 miles before running out and 150 before hitting reserve

 

[Berin]

The basic tank is about 19.5 litres so working on 10 miles a litre which is a good average you should be good for 200 miles before running out and 150 before hitting reserve

Good info, thanks for that.

I don't suppose you happen to have a spare one?

 

[scooter paul]

Other tanks will fit, R80ST, R80G/s R100 GS and R. The smaller tanks, G/s and ST have one fuel tap so you’ll have to plug the redundant fuel inlet pipe ( easier to do it this way rather than install new fuel lines, especially if you intend to go back to the larger tank.

 

[Mad Hatter]

Good info, thanks for that.

I don't suppose you happen to have a spare one?

I did have but then I used it on my project bike

 

[Berin]

Other tanks will fit, R80ST, R80G/s R100 GS and R. The smaller tanks, G/s and ST have one fuel tap so you’ll have to plug the redundant fuel inlet pipe ( easier to do it this way rather than install new fuel lines, especially if you intend to go back to the larger tank.

Thanks for that info. Looks like Motorworks have a second hand tank in for £395, silver so we’ll paint it, plus taps and filler cap, they they’ll do a deal on.

We’ll definitely go back to the big tank, so thanks for that advice

 

[tuftywhite]

If it's just a replacement, you can get new tanks from India. They look pretty good to me and will do a tap each side or just on the left, as you want. Have a look on Ebay.

 

[ChasF]

Thanks for that info. Looks like Motorworks have a second hand tank in for £395, silver so we’ll paint it, plus taps and filler cap, they they’ll do a deal on.

We’ll definitely go back to the big tank, so thanks for that advice

Flippin’ heck. I’ve bought a couple of tatty but serviceable R80G/S tanks for trail riding use for 50euros in recent times although I have noticed they’re becoming very pricey these days. Indian made tanks are getting better all the time but even they are quite expensive now.

 

[Berin]

Flippin’ heck. I’ve bought a couple of tatty but serviceable R80G/S tanks for trail riding use for 50euros in recent times although I have noticed they’re becoming very pricey these days. Indian made tanks are getting better all the time but even they are quite expensive now.

Motobins have a NOS one for £1000!

 

[Berin]

Right, all good so far.

Back to blanking off; is there something I can use to blank off the spare ar on the T piece, or would just blanking the redundant fuel pipe with an 8mm version of this plug do?

 

[Bubb]

I would leave the fuel pipe on the T piece and bung the top of the fuel pipe.
But I’m NOT an expert by any means

I’m sure those more knowledgeable than me ( not difficult!) will be along shortly with the best way to do it

 

[scooter paul]

Other tanks will fit, R80ST, R80G/s R100 GS and R. The smaller tanks, G/s and ST have one fuel tap so you’ll have to plug the redundant fuel inlet pipe ( easier to do it this way rather than install new fuel lines, especially if you intend to go back to the larger tank.

I’m having second thoughts about the advice I gave earlier. I had a long chat with a Basic owner about tank fitment. I’m now of the opinion that although the R80 G/S and ST tanks have a similar outside shape as the Basic they will not fit the Basic frame. There’s a lots more ’ gubbins’ along the top frame rail of a paralever frame and as a consequence the paralever tanks have a wider tunnel. There’s a half way point between the small Basic tank and the Kalahari and that’s the ones fitted to the R80/100 GS paralever and the R100r.

 

[Bubb]

I could post a pic of a small basic tank, but don’t have the g/s or st tank to compare it with…..sorry

 

[Berin]

I’m having second thoughts about the advice I gave earlier. I had a long chat with a Basic owner about tank fitment. I’m now of the opinion that although the R80 G/S and ST tanks have a similar outside shape as the Basic they will not fit the Basic frame. There’s a lots more ’ gubbins’ along the top frame rail of a paralever frame and as a consequence the paralever tanks have a wider tunnel. There’s a half way point between the small Basic tank and the Kalahari and that’s the ones fitted to the R80/100 GS paralever and the R100r.

whatever it was that the tank came off, it fits directly without any mods.

The kalahari tank is fitted by an open bar at the front, and a frame clip at the back. The new tank is exactly the same, just changed the clip over and removed a rubber support towards the rear of the tank - this is just zip tied to the frame- the new tank has some rubber cushioning pieces in place already.

 

[Berin]

While we’re here, can anyone tell me, on a tank with a single fuel tap on the left, where the fuel pipe for the rhs carb runs please? Pics if possible

 

[Bubb]

While we’re here, can anyone tell me, on a tank with a single fuel tap on the left, where the fuel pipe for the rhs carb runs please? Pics if possible

 

[Bubb]

Goes through under the airbox, just like the link pipe you have.
It’s the pipe you can see in the pic above, to the left of the throttle cable.

Hope this helps. ( mine is a basic, I only have the small tank)

 

[Berin]

Goes through under the airbox, just like the link pipe you have.
It’s the pipe you can see in the pic above, to the left of the throttle cable.

Hope this helps. ( mine is a basic, I only have the small tank)

Very helpful, thanks

 

[Berin]

Mrs Berins tank is back from the painters



We have a new fuel tap and a new filler cap






2 questions

does the filler cap just screw in? Does it need anything to fix it in place like loctite or anything, or is it just sealed against the rubber seal?

Does the fuel tap have a washer between the union bolt and the tap, and is it fixed with loctite or anything.

Ok, that’s 3 questions! Maybe 4.

 

[Kenny]

Think those petrol fillers just push in. There should be a hard felt washer between the tap and the tank.