motorcycle fuel cells




Fuel Cells

MAIN FAQ

WARNING
Any time you add weight to your bike, the handling WILL be affected. Each bike even of the same model will be affected differently due to your weight, how you pack it, tires, suspension, and your riding style. You need to determine if what you add or change is safe for you.

We make no claim or warranty that adding any of our products is safe for any intended use as we have no control over the operation of the vehicle.




CELLS
Why don't you make a cell for XYZ brand of motorcycle?
No one has asked. Let us know and if there's sufficient interest, we will certainly look into it. We could do a custom cell for you also.

Types of Cells
1. Permanent mount
2. Removable

Mounting Locations
1. On an existing luggage rack
2. We will build a mount for your rear fender
3. On the passenger part of the seat
4. Underhung (replacing part or all of the rear fender with a cell)

Mounting
Whether you buy from us, someone else or build your own, proper mounting is crucial.
Bungie cords won't do it. At the minimum use at least two 1" wide luggage straps preferable with a ratchet tightener system if you're rack mounting. Bolts preferred. You do not want the cell moving around or in a panic stop coming loose and hitting you.

You NEED a good ground to prevent static electricity build up which can cause an explosion. On a plastic cell, run a ground wire from the filler area to a known good ground on the bike and be sure the gas pump fill nozzle is touching the grounded filler on the cell before you start filling.

Cell to Tank Tie-in
We get asked frequently "Can't I tie my cell into the line going to the carbs?". Yes, as long as you aren't using a pump. The pump may overload the floats in your carbs and flood it at the least and pump raw fuel all over the place at the worst!

Fuel Injection
How do I plumb in a cell if my bike is fuel injected?

There's only 3 ways we're aware of:
  1. Add a bulkhead fitting. You drill a hole in your stock tank, attach a fitting & attach your line from the cell. No pump needed as long as the bottom of the cell is at least the height of the bottom of the stock tank.
  2. Use a pump. You run a line and "T" into the return fuel line.
  3. Syphon the fuel. Using the vent from the stock tank you attach the outlet line from the cell. As the fuel level in the stock tank lowers, it creates a vacuum and pulls fuel from the cell in. No pump needed as long as the bottom of the cell is at least the height of the bottom of the stock tank. This was suggested and is used by a friend; Greg Roberts that has had good luck with it. We can build you a cell for this but we will not guarantee it will syphon under all conditions. Too many variables.
  4. On a Harley, you just tie into the stock tank crossover line.

I want an underhung cell like is in the photos but my stock fuel tank is on the frame backbone. Will it work?
By using a fuel pump it will work. But now theres another problem; by pressurizing the existing fuel line you will flood your carbs (if you have carbs) as the pressure will overcome the buoyancy of the floats. If you have an older bike that has 2 petcocks, it can work by some minor rerouting.

Otherwise you will need to do 1 of the following:
1. Silver solder a fill line into the tank
2. Drill a small hole in your existing fuel tank and use a bulkhead fitting
3. If you have 2 vent lines going into the tank, possibly 1 of these could be used as a fill line although it would be slow.
If you are a resonably competent "wrench", you can do these yourself although we strongly suggest getting your local mechanic/shop involved simply because you're dealing with fuel and you don't want to ruin your fuel tank.
4. If fuel injected, you can tie into the return fuel line. This works on most BMWs and will probably work on others as long as the pressure in the return line is low enough (not more than about 5 PSI).

Whats the advantages/disadvantages to having an underhung tank?
Advantages
1. Having the weight lower won't affect your center of gravity as much as having it luggage rack mounted
2. You aren't "losing" your luggage rack.

Disadvantages
1. You will need a fuel pump if your existing tank is in front of you on the main "back bone".
2. More difficult to install
Note: Any time you add weight to your bike, the handling WILL be affected. Each bike even of the same model will be affected differently due to your weight, how you pack it, tires, suspension, and your riding style.

Whats the difference between "Filler & No Filler"?
The difference between filler & no filler is the original that Ron made did not have a filler on the tank so it had to back fill from your stock tank. It takes a while. So Jim added a filler (cap) on the auxiliary so you can fill each tank separately & quickly.

Line size
"Bigger is better". For filling the auxiliary without having a cap on it, this is true. But for running down the road; not really once you have met the requirements of your useage. By keeping the size down; it allows you to run the line more easily and use smaller fittings; less chance of leaks.
Just for the sake of argument - an ST1100 at 140 MPH will get about 20 MPG so you'll go thru about 7 gallons of fuel in an hour. Thats about 1 gallon about every 8.5 minutes. A ¼" I.D. line will easily pass that much fuel!!
Naturally we don't advocate that speed except on a closed course with a professional rider, yada, yada, yada.
We suggest a 3/8" I.D. fuel line because of frictional losses in the line and fittings

Why don't you sell a complete kit?
We do now.
We also can furnish quick disconnects, valves, bulkhead fittings for you do-it-yourselfers.

BACKRESTS
Where do I get the backrest pads like in the photos?
Enough of you have asked, we are now making them.

MISCELLANEOUS
Do you install?
No, we are fabricators. We suggest you have your local shop do your installation. If you get "stuck" during installation, we will try to assist you.

Why don't you make.........?
See above. We welcome suggestions as we have access to a machine shop and metal forming. Email suggestions for additional products to: Email

Have a question that isn't answered here?
Feel free to email us Those of general interest will be added to this page