Big Fuel Tank

The "Fuel Tank" issue is all too familiar and in need of it's own thread.

First:
Do you really believe the consumer has a say?
Remember for whom you are dealing.

Second:
I whined for nearly a decade before Husaberg decided to incorporate an FCR carburetor and Kokusan ignition.

Third:
Many of you have thought it a great idea for me to make components in order to bridge the gap. Now it is your turn to step up and make your fortune. :lol: LOL

Suggestions:
Use Carbon Fibre or better yet grind your own mold and manufacture a plastic unit.

For the record:
Generously paid well in advance I would possibly consider taking on such a daunting task this Fall.

Note:
Generously paid well in advance.

Been There / Done That.

Good Luck.

Sincerely,
Dale

Being involved in EBM ( Extrusion Blow Moulding) I have considered such.

Unfortunately, tank manufacture is more suited to rotary moulding and the less (more ?) complex to manufacture multi segment moulds that are required to accomodate all the mould release angles that a well designed ( read maximum space utilisation) tank requires.

I dont think anyone will make their fortune out of such an undertaking, given that all the companies with all the needed skills and equipment consider it unprofitable ie mould manafacture time/costs vs sales.

I thought by now an enteprising UHE member may have been selling REASONABLY PRICED alloy units ? or maybe even offering templates for such :?: .

AUSBERG said:

Being involved in EBM ( Extrusion Blow Moulding) I have considered such.

Unfortunately, tank manufacture is more suited to rotary moulding and the less (more ?) complex to manufacture multi segment moulds that are required to accomodate all the mould release angles that a well designed ( read maximum space utilisation) tank requires.

I dont think anyone will make their fortune out of such an undertaking, given that all the companies with all the needed skills and equipment consider it unprofitable ie mould manafacture time/costs vs sales.

I thought by now an enteprising UHE member may have been selling REASONABLY PRICED alloy units ? or maybe even offering templates for such :?: .

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Hi AUSBERG,
Such is my point with exception of a reasonably priced hand built unit.

Hand built and reasonably priced rarely go together, least here in the states. Time being money and all.

Not an easy task hence my sarcastic remark regarding the making of ones fortune. :wink:

For what it may be worth:
The Highland twin has a five gallon fuel tank.

Best Regards,
Dale

i agree, i have the skills, accsesss to the equipment and the drive, just no time/ oportunity to do the project, if givven backing for it, i would LOVE to do something like that. but it takes time and money.

tinbanger said:

i agree, i have the skills, accsesss to the equipment and the drive, just no time/ oportunity to do the project, if givven backing for it, i would LOVE to do something like that. but it takes time and money.

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Bingo!
Same reason Husaberg / KTM has not indulged the request.
BMG is a marketing organization. Development and manufacturing not being their forte.

Dale

stir stir stir

:twisted: hehehe

Bobzilla said:

stir stir stir

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Who, me? Never! :lol: LOL
Dale

LINEAWEAVER said:

Bobzilla said:

stir stir stir

Click to expand...

Who, me? Never! :lol: LOL
Dale

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or me?? :twisted:

this is a shameless bump and please take the poll , weather you want a bigger tank or not please just respond
of course you can all clam up and make me look like a fool,

wait I dont need your help :lol:

All understood, however Husaberg did have the drive some time back to take on such a project. Proof in point, the oversize tank for the pre 2000 models. Infact I still have one on the shelf!!!

I hate to be the one that says this,but if an entrepeneur was really serious about getting a large fuel tank made for a Berg and have any possibility of a reasonable return .The only real option is to burn up a few air miles and arrive in Taiwan or the ROC with a fuel tank under your arm.

nsman said:

If an entrepeneur was really serious about getting a large fuel tank made for a Berg and have any possibility of a reasonable return .The only real option is to burn up a few air miles and arrive in Taiwan or the ROC with a fuel tank under your arm.

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Hi Nsman,
In my opinion one will still lose money as their are not enough Husabergs on the planet to make such a venture profitable even with free airfare and a back pack.

For confirmation contact Mats Malmberg of Highland, ask if he has turned a profit to date regarding his "China Connection".

How to get a big tank:
Pay a skilled craftsman and / or make it yourself.

Best Regards,
Dale

No doubt you are correct Sir,I was thinking that since the chinese can manufacture a 40lb vise that sells for $40.00 at Walmart and it must cost at least that much to ship it here they surely must work for free!If these folks will work for free and it still is not viable then I quess a skilled craftsman it is! LOL

nsman said:

No doubt you are correct Sir,I was thinking that since the chinese can manufacture a 40lb vise that sells for $40.00 at Walmart and it must cost at least that much to ship it here they surely must work for free!If these folks will work for free and it still is not viable then I quess a skilled craftsman it is! LOL

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Everyone needs a vise, even a dentist. No doubt millions are manufactured each year and distributed worldwide.

A Giant Husaberg fuel tank?

Dale

If the production # of suitable machines 2001-2006 is estimated at 15,000 units world wide and if the demand for a large tank is even 5% of production there should be a demand for 750 tanks at this moment.If the tank stays the same for a few more model years this will continue.
If the mold costs as has been suggested then $10,000 divided X 750=$13.33 for the mold cost per tank.
Clarke sell tanks for $170. assuming that the profit margin is the same for them as retail the net cost of the manufactured tank should be $110.
From these numbers we see that the cost of producing a production run of Berg tanks is viable as the cost of the start up is not a major consideration at this time as long as 750-1000 tanks could be sold in a business cycle. .What is not viable is production past the initial production run,and no doubt this is the major stumbling block at this time for the tank producers.
If an entrepenuer was to invest $10,000,plus 750x$120=$90,000 $100.000 total for inventory and be able to sell 750 tanks for $299.he could be able to gross $224,250 in sales. Consider advertising,warranty issues,a bit of payroll etc to chew up $25,000 he could potentially net a $100,000 ...less $30,000. in federal income taxes......any takers
What I see here is a viable project to spring board a fledging plastic moulding company into operation into other products and is a prime candidate for what we call Gov grant $. ...Any one out there paying attention.

Hi Nsman,
With all due respect such sounds extremely time consuming and risky for a potential profit of a mere $100,000.00.

Where I live a Meth dealer makes more in a week with less risk. :lol: LOL

Personally, I would prefer to make a couple of really cool prototype fuel tanks costing some $10K. You could then have a mold prepared based on my items and make the $100,000.00 profit.

Dale

Dale,
Point taken,I did not say it was a big project just a viable project.
As far as Meth dealers profit margin...do not really the point in that....remember your world is not "the "world.
If you are offering to build a couple of moulds for $10,000....interesting!

nsman said:

Dale,
Point taken,I did not say it was a big project just a viable project.
As far as Meth dealers profit margin...do not really the point in that....remember your world is not "the "world.
If you are offering to build a couple of moulds for $10,000....interesting!

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Hi Nsman,
Unfortunately international drug lords have already proven the one world theory hence my mention of profit vs risk regarding the distribution of illegal drugs.

The niche motorcycle market is not the fast track to fortune.

Custom fuel tanks for hire. You bet!
Grinding a mold, no way.

We should have lunch sometime.

Sincerely,
Dale

Hi Dale,
i am the first to agree that in fact money is not a good reason to do almost anything.I do believe that given proper information making a production run of oversize tanks may be a viable operation.Truth is making money is just a game similar to monopoly,the fun is in the game or doing a good job.as soon as you start thinking the money is real your lost.case in point do you think Willie McCoy had his hand ripped up and still raced ,just for the money,we both know its about the game(racing) not the coins.
Something tells me that if Clark man. heard on the grapevine that someone was about to enter their market by making a few tanks they would have one in 90 days.
Any reference to how successful the drug business may be as a yard stick to any ventures, successful or not, really is not valid. i am surprised to hear you make any reference to it!

nsman said:

Any reference to how successful the drug business may be as a yard stick to any ventures, successful or not, really is "not valid". i am surprised to hear you make any reference to it!

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Not valid.
Are you kidding me?

As a father and grandfather I lead by example. I do my best to show the personal value in a job well done.

By their peers money and bling (be it real or Monopoly) is the ruler by which our youth are measured.

Minimum wage working fast food or six figures a week from a cell phone.

Considering the ever growing crop of latch key children the above is a global reality.

Regarding Willie McCoy:
As with most current GNC competitors I personally know Willie. Willie does what he does for the same reason I do what I do. For love of the sport.

Dale

....I am fortunate that I get to meet and deal with young people every day,i would have to say the truth is that the parents of these young people are the ones doing the measuring as their peers are much more forgiving.a great many of these young people only want to have a job that they like and make enough to ride the bikes.....things have not really changed much here ,seems thats all I wanted when I was young as well.
In a nut shell Dale,i quess my point here is that the venture is about making fuel tanks not money,but it may is possible.
As far as having lunch,maybe so, I will be passing through your area this Nov on my way to NZ.