subframe fuel tank (part no. H16019901)

Hello,

As i ride long rides, i wanted to expand my fuel range. After calling around in the netherlands i managed to find probably the last subframe fuel tank (part no. H16019901) in the country with a dealer. Only it has no fitting instructions of fitting equipment. I'm a bit puzzeled how it should fit my bike, a 2003 FE400.
Does someone have pictures of 1 installed? Do you connect it to the front tank as a extra or is it a sepperate tank? The dealer hadn't sold 1 in years and didn't recal this either.

never mind, found some pictures and a instruction sheet. Good thing i found it because it would have installed it differently

Tikka said:

never mind, found some pictures and a instruction sheet. Good thing i found it because it would have installed it differently

Click to expand...

unfortunately the instructions do not take the frustration out of fitting the tank ive fitted a few and use one for 5 years.
i relocate the CDI unit down near the battery and move the starter solenoid, the 2 clamps that strap around the frame on each side are replaced with an automotive type from NARVA they are stronger and you need to fit a 10mm spacer behind the clamp and longer bolts and so they line up better with the threads in the tank. I cut and fit the fuel line T piece just back from the right fuel tap. You will find that the last litre of fuel from the sub will not gravity feed the carby enough fuel to maintain full speed, when you get to this stage you have to back the speed down to about 50 kmh, i run a long breather hose from the tap on the top of the sub tank up to the handlebars above the height of the bikes main fuel tank otherwise if you have all the taps open in a race and fuel up at a checkpoint the fuel from the bike main tank will gravity feed and overflow the subtank.
Because its hard and dangerous to reach down turn the sub tank tap on whilst racing i open all taps then put the end of the breather hose over a special pin on the handlebars and block the airflow this causes a vacuum in the sub tank and the bike will draw from the main tank, when i reach 100km or feel the bike running out of fuel i pull the hose off the bolt and let the airflow in to supply fuel and it means quicker fuel ups at the check points because i do not need to remove the seat as the subtank is still almost full. if the breather hose is open it will slowly top up the sub tank whilst you fill the main. I put the hose back on the bolt as i ride out of the checkpoint.
When im real low on fuel i reach for the breather hose blow in it with my mouth and quickly put it back on the bolt this gives me a few kilometers at full speed.
You could fit a vacuum pump of a KTM Adventure 640LC4 or an electric type to the system if you wanted.
I used this system at the Finke Desert race and fueled at the 130km mark which allowed me a one stop strategy, on the return leg to Alice i arrived at the finish with only about half a litre in the sub, close call.
This is a lot of information but they do work well, its fun doing all this in a race at 100 miles an hour.
ORANGEBERG

Tikka,
If you buy it and have troubles, we'll guide you through the install. I've done a few things differently than Orangeberg, but the outcome is the same. I had mine on my 02' 501 and swapped it over to my 05' 550. Always nice to have extra fuel capacity.

Hopefully it comes with all required hardware; especially the replacement black plastic lower fender. It's quite an important piece.

regards,
log

It came as only the tank. No fittingscrews,no fuellines, no rubber flap. So i have to be creative about those parts. It was stuffed in corner of the shop's attic for years. A mate has 1 installed on a 2003 550. I will have a look at that one next sunday to see how that one is installed. He's a lukcy ******* but doesn't realises it. A clarke fronttank and this smaller tank installed (difficult to find nowadays), a quick push at the starterbutton and it runs, even when it's cold(seems very unique), low mileages. Hope he stops complaining about it.

Tikka said:

It came as only the tank. No fittingscrews,no fuellines, no rubber flap. So i have to be creative about those parts. It was stuffed in corner of the shop's attic for years. A mate has 1 installed on a 2003 550. I will have a look at that one next sunday to see how that one is installed. He's a lukcy toughie but doesn't realises it. A clarke fronttank and this smaller tank installed (difficult to find nowadays), a quick push at the starterbutton and it runs, even when it's cold(seems very unique), low mileages. Hope he stops complaining about it.

Click to expand...

As logjump said its a ******* without the hardwear. the plastic shock mudflap he talked about is specilally moulded so go back and check if the dealewr has it. everything else is available as a spare part, the fuel taps are from an SX50 - 65 or 640 adventure, frame straps are from Narva auto electrcs.

If anyone wants or needs one of these I have 2 used ones for sale, with the fittings and in good condition.

send me a PM, will be advertising them more broadly soon.