Larger petrol tank

[jackshan101]

Hello, Is it possible to get a larger capacity tank for the R65, I've been looking but haven't seen anything. Thanks

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

How big, and how big is your wallet?

I have heard that the G/S and GS tanks fit, even the Dakar.  But they are shorter overall and leaves a gap between the tank & seat.  But I think they are the only plug & play for our bikes.

Other, more traditional tanks from the larger airheads can be fitted - it is only the rear mount that takes modification.  Some here have done it.  The big thing to keep in mind when shopping for one of these tanks is the depression in the inside of the right side for the electricals on the frame.

[scotty_b]

How big, and how big is your wallet?

I have heard that the G/S and GS tanks fit, even the Dakar.  But they are shorter overall and leaves a gap between the tank & seat.  But I think they are the only plug & play for our bikes.

Other, more traditional tanks from the larger airheads can be fitted - it is only the rear mount that takes modification.  Some here have done it.  The big thing to keep in mind when shopping for one of these tanks is the depression in the inside of the right side for the electricals on the frame.

I put a R90 tank on mine. you need to fab a rear mount and the front needs to be narrowed and moved up higher on the frame

[Justin B.]

Scotty - It'd be nice to have a "how-to" on this upgrade...  I've thought about it but never got motivated enough to get past looking at fleabay for a tank...

[Ed Miller]

Is the R90 tank any bigger?  I thought our tanks were over 5 gallons U.S. already.  I can always go over 200 miles before hitting reserve.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I thought our tanks were over 5 gallons U.S. already.  I can always go over 200 miles before hitting reserve.

You are correct.  Some just can't get past the "modern" styling.

[Altritter]

I thought our tanks were over 5 gallons U.S. already.

Correct. According to the manual, the total tank capacity is 22 liters (5.79 US gal.), including a 2-liter (0.53 US gal.) reserve.

While we're on the subject of tank capacity, I'd like show my inexperience by asking a related R65 fuel situation that hasn't bitten me yet, but I want to be prepared: I recall reading that there's a problem if an R65 rider gets an episodic attack of the dumba$$ and turns the fuel cock the wrong direction, thus expending the reserve first. According to the author, the way to correct this problem and restore the reserve is to gently lower the bike onto its side, thus permitting the contents of the main tank to flow into the reserve-supply partition. Which side, left or right?

If the error is detected, am I correct in assuming that the prematurely empty reserve can be replenished by simply pulling into a service station and topping off the tank? (I don't want to intentionally put my bike on its side for any reason other than perhaps to save my own carcass from a direct collision—a maneuver that is debated by the motorcycle safety gurus.

I'd appreciate the benefit of the collective wisdom of our membership on this.

John

[wilcom]

attack of the dumba$$ and turns the fuel thingy the wrong direction,

I belong to that club too, and I have schooled myself on which end of the handle is the pointer and as I set here I still don't know. As many times as I have figured it out I should put a dab of white paint on it.

Our R65's having one petcock on the left side leaves an amount of gas on the right side that can't get over the center section to be used at the petcock.

You can tilt your bike on it's left side to get that gas on the right to the left side where the petcock is........or

You could turn off your gas, pop off the gas line and flip up the seat,  grab the bail and just lift off the tank and tilt the tank till all the fuel on the right side runs to the left side.

 Our tanks come off so easy ( and they don't weigh much in this situation  )I can't see why we would lay the bike over and take a chance of dropping it  on the road.

I don't know how much fuel is over there to use, but it's enough to go 6 miles. That's how far I was from the next fuel the last time I left it in the wrong position. yep, there's been "other" times too.     LOL

[bruce_launceston]

Hi Alritter, The 'reserve' is not a separate section of fuel tank. When the fuel tap is on 'main' the fuel exits the tank from a long straw that has its top about 3 inches from the bottom of the tank. When the fuel gets below this level you need to turn the tap to 'reserve'. Then the fuel exits the tank from a short straw closer to the bottom of the tank.
It has a short straw rather than just a hole at the lowest level so that you don't suck water and crud that sits in the bottom of the tank into the carbs.

I have run out of fuel while on reserve and tipped my bike over into a ditch to slosh the remaining fuel to the side with the fuel tap. It got me to the next fuel stop!

You really can't hurt anything, just make sure there's some grass or something soft under the rocker cover.

[jackshan101]

You know what ? your right, there is very little difference between the size of the tanks, R65 being 5.81 (us gallons) R90 the same and the R100 is 6.34 gallons. I am just looking to see what options are out there for modifications which I might make. Thanks for your help.  

[Olliepup]

BTW, a friend did a study 10 years ago to determine the greatest distance from any gas station in the USA. Ans. 85 miles.

[zebedee]

BTW, a friend did a study 10 years ago to determine the greatest distance from any gas station in the USA. Ans. 85 miles.

I don't think I would have much trouble getting 85 miles/136 km from fuel in Australia!

[Vegasrandall]

85 miles??? That doesn't sound right.I know i've been further from gas here in nevada

[wilcom]

85 miles??? That doesn't sound right.I know i've been further from gas here in nevada  

That's probably a day time study. In NV you better have a full tank after 10PM and .............if your a serious traveler an Aux tank isn't a bad idea if side trips are in the plan

[Barry]

You could turn off your gas, pop off the gas line and flip up the seat,grab the bail and just lift off the tank and tilt the tank till all the fuel on the right side runs to the left side.

Our tanks come off so easy ( and they don't weigh much in this situation)I can't see why we would lay the bike over and take a chance of dropping it on the road.
 

Agree with you on this method of using the fuel on the RH side of the tank. Much easier on the back than laying the bike over and more effective too. I even find I have enough slack in the fuel line that I don't need to disconnect it.