Fuel under Zega panniers

[Tarmo]

I have done my homework. Searched everywhere. Haven't found answeres. Hope that anybody can point my nose in right direction.

Planning trip where refueling is possible sometimes only in 450-500 km. Normal 1100GS tank is not enough for that. I have seen pictures of people carrying fuel under Zega panniers: some metal cover attacher under pannier and some plastic container inside.

Is it possible to buy such system somewhere?

PS. Even TT catalog (2007, p. 220) has such picture as illustration but not as a product.

 

[Attleborough]

Not sure about underneath, but you could fix a shelf to the front or back of the panniers and strap one or more of these. It carries 5l and they do a 10l version too.

The dimensions are about the width of a standard pannier.

 

[Blackal]

Kolpin fuel packs?

One stockist

Al

 

[how much]

this Vstrom owner made these monsters up! seen at the touratech event this year... wouldn't be too difficult to make something to fit

how much

 

[Blackal]

this Vstrom owner made these monsters up! seen at the touratech event this year... wouldn't be too difficult to make something to fit

how much

That's not a bike..............................

That's a Bowser!

Al

 

[MikeP]

It's been done with Zega's.

Bert had some bespoke ali fuel cans fabricated to go under his, back in 2005 I think it was.

I'm sure he posted some photo's somewhere.

 

[Blackal]

Got me thinking about the best place for 10 ltrs additional fuel................

On top of panniers: 10kg weight high up, but reasonably safe?

Underneath panniers: weight low down, but the first thing to wear away in an on-road spill.

Behind panners: Weight low down, but overhanging rear wheel.

On pillion rack: Weight high up, but central. More chance of getting dowsed in a spill?

Inside Panniers (in fuel cells): Probably best position (5kg each side), but you'd need to be lucky to get a good fitting unit. Plus - you've got to unpack each pannier to remove for use.

Any thoughts?

Al

 

[Tarmo]

Thank you all.

That V-Strom reminded me something like

I think I will solve the problem with bunch of plactic jerrycans.

I have one 2 l can attached to my Zega case from rear side (standard TT solution).

As I am going without pillion I can use right side pillion footrest to support one 5 l can on it (some McGyver tape will secure the can to bike frame and to right Zega case).

These two cans I can keep filled most of the time and it gives me additional 7 l.

I can carry two more cans about 5 liters attached on both sides on top of the Zega cases. Most of the time I can leave them empty but when necessary it gives me extra fuel capacity up to 17 l = 2+(3*5).

I guess it may be a solution.

At least these plastic jerrycans will be nice red spots on my black and grey bike.

 

[rocks]

Water and petrol

The ones in the TT catalogue, were made for I believe the Sanders, on their RTW trip. They are custom made aluminium tanks with a corner fill point that had a "carrier" that just strapped onto the bottom of the panniers.

You could do a similar thing with Speed Boat Spare Fuel Cells for outboards as these are asimilar shape, but be warned its adding a lot of extra weight to the pannier frames and your bikes sub frame..

Prolonged travel over rough ground and you might wind up breaking a sub frame or pannier frame or mounting, especially if you drop it a few times..

Good luck.

 

[Redboots]

Tesch

Tesch does some 13 ltr tanks to slide inside the panniers...

John

 

[THE DOCTOR]

Fuel under Zega panniers:
I have done my homework. Searched everywhere. Haven't found answers. Hope that anybody can point my nose in right direction.

Tarmo, there is a section on carring extra fuel in Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
There's a photo (page 53) of a pair of 10 litre under jerries fitted to what look like Zegas.

 

[Steptoe]

Fuel weighs approx 10Ib a gallon - that'll feck up the metric boys

 

[Blackal]

Fuel weighs approx 10Ib a gallon - that'll feck up the metric boys

That was when it had lead in it, pops

The newfangled stuff is significantly lighter (but not on yer wallet)

Al

 

[Blowzorn]

Fuel weighs approx 10Ib a gallon - that'll feck up the metric boys

It's approx 1kg per litre ain't it.

 

[Blackal]

Naw - it's gotta be 750g a litre (or less)

Al

(just looked it up - its 737g/ltr)

 

[Nate]

Tarmo, there is a section on carring extra fuel in Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
There's a photo (page 53) of a pair of 10 litre under jerries fitted to what look like Zegas.

he also states it significantly reduces your clearance over the rough stuff... So something else to think about

 

[sparkplug]

I'd suggest spending the money on either an 1150 Adventure tank or, if you're really really really lucky, finding a second hand Touratech 41lit tank. They should both fit straight on to the 1100.

You can then add to this capacity with a few plastic jerrys with no problems.

I've also heard of people using the MSR Dromedary as a fuel container, but I don't have any first hand experience of doing so. I do have a 10lit dromedary which I fill with water and have it on top of a pannier. Although the weight is noticeable it's really not too bad and doesn't really slosh around too much.

The advantage is that when empty it doesn't take up much space.

1) Don't think it was Bert that had fuel tanks made up - his 650 had acerbis tanks on and his 1200 I think was just the standard tank.
2) The Sanders did the first RTW record with a touratech 41 lit tank and the second on a completely factory standard 1150 ADV - no special fuel tanks for them...

I know of people who use empty water bottles for petrol storage - disposable once empty so less storage problems when not in a petrol shortage area.

Don't know if that helps or not

 

[Redboots]

Wot abaht

Bladders...

http://www.liquidcontainment.com/fuel_bladders.php

John

 

[rocks]

Bladders

I think there was a discussion a year or more back on ADVrider about those bladders, could be worth a search there too.

But do keep in mind, as previously stated, it you have anything on the bottom of the panniers, they are indeed lower to the ground and alos the bit thats most likley to take the punishment when you drop the bike. And you will drop the bike, if your anywhere in the world where you cannot get 250miles without fuel.

I have even known people to use Ortlieb Water Bag, the like that I sell, for fuel, though of course, I couldn't recommend that option , but is has been done by some of my customers.

I believe berts 650 has the TT tank setup on it, giving him quite a spectacular range, but its a pricey option. I managed to grab an ADV tank for my std 1150, but not got around to fitting it yet..

My suggestion by the way, if you are trully considering heading somewhere really really remote, load your bike up with gear at home and find a spare mattress. Drop the bike on its side fully loaded and try picking it back up, when you cannot, see how long it takes you too unload it, right it, and load up again..

My last trip, I took wayyyyyy too much crap and fuel was a worry, I never ran out once or hit my reserve of my MSR stoves fuel bottle. I did however have to pick the bike up twice.. its really easy to overload your self with crap you don't need. Believe me I am still shedding kit each trip..

 

[Tarmo]

My suggestion by the way, if you are trully considering heading somewhere really really remote, load your bike up with gear at home and find a spare mattress. Drop the bike on its side fully loaded and try picking it back up, when you cannot, see how long it takes you too unload it, right it, and load up again..

Have to agree with you. Every time my packing list gets shorter and shorter.

And interesting paradox. If you leave all unneccessary sh..t at home (to be able to take more gas with you) then in fact you need less gasoline (as the bike is lighter).