Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: stevewfl on June 27, 2011, 09:31:08 AM
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Figure between 10-20 miles extra fuel if I push reserve too hard and run slap out..
Thanks BugNut for giving me one of these! I finally got the catepillar "earth moving equipment manual holder" installed. Bought a stainless bottle. 5 minute install counting the time with the heat gun on the plastic holder tabs. Took me longer to put the tools back up and close the garage.
Any more fuel not requeired for me, I'm ready for a break after 200 miles anyway whether I think so or not.
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/Connie%2014/12v%20and%20fuel%20mods/20110625-DSC_1237.jpg)
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/Connie%2014/12v%20and%20fuel%20mods/20110626-DSC_1251.jpg)
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/Connie%2014/12v%20and%20fuel%20mods/20110625-DSC_1243.jpg)
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Wouldn't it be easier to fill up earlier?
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Yes,
Just extra piece of mind on my cross country trip, for the "5-10 minutes" it was worth for 10-20 extra miles 8)
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I didn't push reserve but I did use the <whole> fuel tank on my recent trip; coming up on 230 miles on several tanks of fuel. Until I hit the dreaded western route through South Dakota and that nasty 3,000 MPH headwind; I watched my indicated mileage drop from 45.X to 30.9 MPG as soon as I was on I-90 heading west. Unbelievable. But as far as the tank was concerned, I also carried extra fuel in the form of 3 gallons in a fuel bladder. I never used the first drop of 'spare' fuel on the ride but it gave great confidence to really be pretty cavalier about where the next fuel stop might be.
Brian
Figure between 10-20 miles extra fuel if I push reserve too hard and run slap out..
Thanks BugNut for giving me one of these! I finally got the catepillar "earth moving equipment manual holder" installed. Bought a stainless bottle. 5 minute install counting the time with the heat gun on the plastic holder tabs. Took me longer to put the tools back up and close the garage.
Any more fuel not requeired for me, I'm ready for a break after 200 miles anyway whether I think so or not.
<snip photos>
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I think It's a good idea, if your not thinking so much about fuel, the ride will be more enjoyable. I know I don't feel good without my compressor and tire repair kit. I always stop well before I have to just to walk around a little and slam a Mountain Dew.
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I usually push reserve more around town than on a long road trip. Some places out west, you take fuel when you find it.
However, I could have used that little bit of extra fuel the other night when I ran out 4 blocks from the station I was headed to. ::)
Have you tested putting fuel in the tank yet? Just curious how well it pours into the gas hole from the metal bottle.
You know, if you had a large spring inside that carrier, held back by a quick release control, you might be able to launch that little metal gas filled bottle at some offending cage that's behind you. Hmm, multiple use farkles, the best kind!
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I usually push reserve more around town than on a long road trip. Some places out west, you take fuel when you find it.
However, I could have used that little bit of extra fuel the other night when I ran out 4 blocks from the station I was headed to. ::)
Have you tested putting fuel in the tank yet? Just curious how well it pours into the gas hole from the metal bottle.
You know, if you had a large spring inside that carrier, held back by a quick release control, you might be able to launch that little metal gas filled bottle at some offending cage that's behind you. Hmm, multiple use farkles, the best kind!
4 blocks is what I'm talking about!
LMAO @ launching it, don't gimmee ideas! (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
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Are you just gonna fill it for trips? How long would you store it?
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Where can I find one of those?
Tony
Figure between 10-20 miles extra fuel if I push reserve too hard and run slap out..
Thanks BugNut for giving me one of these! I finally got the catepillar "earth moving equipment manual holder" installed. Bought a stainless bottle. 5 minute install counting the time with the heat gun on the plastic holder tabs. Took me longer to put the tools back up and close the garage.
Any more fuel not requeired for me, I'm ready for a break after 200 miles anyway whether I think so or not.
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/Connie%2014/12v%20and%20fuel%20mods/20110625-DSC_1237.jpg)
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/Connie%2014/12v%20and%20fuel%20mods/20110626-DSC_1251.jpg)
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/Connie%2014/12v%20and%20fuel%20mods/20110625-DSC_1243.jpg)
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That would also be handy when you come upon someone "out of gas"........blanton
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I am one of those that like to push it till I'm actually scare! This is a good idea. Thanks for sharing.
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Where can I find one of those?
Tony
I believe that it is offered on the Twisted Throttle website.
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Here's an outfit selling a complete kit here in the states. They even have a locking one.
http://www.thetooltube.com/Combo_Kits.html (http://www.thetooltube.com/Combo_Kits.html)
And another selling just the tubes in the UK
http://www.adventure-spec.com/shop/trail-tools-and-essentials/tool-tube/prod_114.html (http://www.adventure-spec.com/shop/trail-tools-and-essentials/tool-tube/prod_114.html)
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I have to chuckle a bit as I ride one of those antique Connies (a C-10) with the commando gas tank :)
When I hit reserve, I make a mental note of the odometer and add 50 miles. If the next gas station is 55 miles away (DOH!) I can slop any remaining gas in the RH side of the tank to the left (where the petcock is, a manual affair for you C-14 pilots) by not using the side stand. Good for another 5-10 miles... at most (don't ask :-[ )
Carrying an aux bottle is a nice idea regardless. Especially if traveling the lesser known roads in WY/CO/MT/ND/SD/ID/OR/...
Aluminum fuel bottles are quite common at most camping outlets. Off season they can double as a fuel bottle for your chain saw, weed eater, gas powered margarita blender, ....
Rick
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Aluminum fuel bottles are quite common at most camping outlets. Off season they can double as a fuel bottle for your chain saw, weed eater, gas powered margarita blender, ....
Rick
Don't use aluminum bottles, use stainless steel. The ethanol will eat thru the aluminum over time. Plastic bottles are ok too.
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Here's an outfit selling a complete kit here in the states. They even have a locking one.
http://www.thetooltube.com/Combo_Kits.html (http://www.thetooltube.com/Combo_Kits.html)
And another selling just the tubes in the UK
http://www.adventure-spec.com/shop/trail-tools-and-essentials/tool-tube/prod_114.html (http://www.adventure-spec.com/shop/trail-tools-and-essentials/tool-tube/prod_114.html)
Nice kit, but the USA model is twice what it should cost (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/crybaby_sign.gif)
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Nice kit, but it looks like that also prevents you from setting the bags on the ground upright. I've thought about bringing a hand pump/siphon along on long trips instead, but I guess that would mean begging friends for fuel and hearing about it all day long.
I wonder if there is room to tuck something like that up under the tail.
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Here's an outfit selling a complete kit here in the states. They even have a locking one.
http://www.thetooltube.com/Combo_Kits.html (http://www.thetooltube.com/Combo_Kits.html)
And another selling just the tubes in the UK
http://www.adventure-spec.com/shop/trail-tools-and-essentials/tool-tube/prod_114.html (http://www.adventure-spec.com/shop/trail-tools-and-essentials/tool-tube/prod_114.html)
Laughable. Just head down to your local John Deere dealership and buy an owners manual tube. 8 bucks at best.
Better to save money on the tube so you can save up for the new fuel pump when you burn it up from running on empty all the time. ;D
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Nice kit, but it looks like that also prevents you from setting the bags on the ground upright. I've thought about bringing a hand pump/siphon along on long trips instead, but I guess that would mean begging friends for fuel and hearing about it all day long.
I wonder if there is room to tuck something like that up under the tail.
Its a large bottle for that. I thought about carrying it on the seat or such, but i need all that room for luggage/laptop/camera equipment in addition to the E55 trunk and panniers, so a few extra miles under the baggage out of the way works best. I can lean my pannier in the hotel rooms. Or lay it on its side, no biggie there (if i even bring that one inside, may have the tools and BS in that one).
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Laughable. Just head down to your local John Deere dealership and buy an owners manual tube. 8 bucks at best.
Better to save money on the tube so you can save up for the new fuel pump when you burn it up from running on empty all the time. ;D
All the time? I hope to never run out while pushing reserve, but if I do its there (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/avatars/dblthumb2.gif)
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If you need just the canister, or want to supply your own fuel bottle agri supply has it for $4.99. http://www.agrisupply.com/operators-manual-canister/p/67670/ (http://www.agrisupply.com/operators-manual-canister/p/67670/)
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In tank fuel pumps use the gas to cool them ... running the level down too far all the time will shorten the pumps life.
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Better to save money on the tube so you can save up for the new fuel pump when you burn it up from running on empty all the time. ;D
I don't believe anybody is condoning the regular practice of running your tank dry. The general premise here is having a little extra fuel available in an *emergency* situation.
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Dual exhausts complicate mounting under the inside bag floor. Wondering if you could mount one on the leading front face of maybe the right side bag in a vertical mount arrangement...or would it be in the way of a passenger leg?
My only altenative mounting location would be on the outside bottom flooring of the luggage pivot door, but that puts the weight of the fuel outside instead of inside for a more balanced carrying position, and it could interfere with the muffler when the door is opened fully and pivoted down....the tube may hit the muffler a bit...
Any ideas or comments or suggestions?
Ninja
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Dual exhausts complicate mounting under the inside bag floor. Wondering if you could mount one on the leading front face of maybe the right side bag in a vertical mount arrangement...or would it be in the way of a passenger leg?
My only altenative mounting location would be on the outside bottom flooring of the luggage pivot door, but that puts the weight of the fuel outside instead of inside for a more balanced carrying position, and it could interfere with the muffler when the door is opened fully and pivoted down....the tube may hit the muffler a bit...
Any ideas or comments or suggestions?
Ninja
We can figure something out-
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I have 2 MSR fuel bottles for my KLR, I decided to go that route so I can brew my coffee (multi fuel stove) in the morning and always have spare fuel for that just in case moment, some places made for the KLR just aint seen a gas station! 2 bottles just shy of a gallon of gas and at 50+ mpg I can find something to help get me home. I wouldnt hesitate to toss a bottle in either bag for trips on the '14.
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In tank fuel pumps use the gas to cool them ... running the level down too far all the time will shorten the pumps life.
I agree. Another thing to think about is that the container might explode or catch fire during an unforeseen incident unless it is totally designed as a reserve tank. This is a C14 with 5.9 gallons of fuel. It ain't a C10 with 7.5 gallons. Just stop earlier. You've got 20 to 40 or so miles before it totally stops so that should be sufficient time to find a station. You really can't miss the low fuel warning on this bike, either.
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I agree. Another thing to think about is that the container might explode or catch fire during an unforeseen incident unless it is totally designed as a reserve tank. This is a C14 with 5.9 gallons of fuel. It ain't a C10 with 7.5 gallons. Just stop earlier. You've got 20 to 40 or so miles before it totally stops so that should be sufficient time to find a station. You really can't miss the low fuel warning on this bike, either.
I don't plan on running out often, and I hope not to crash. But either way, I'll report results!
Many have been using this solution for years on the C14, I can't take credit for the idea or design. I just offered up pics (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
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Excellent. Assuming you're not a crispy critter we'll be expecting them.
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No. I'm nothing like you, Steve! 8)
When reserve "kicks in"on my bike, I start looking for a gas station.....don't need anymore stress in my life.... 8)
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No. I'm nothing like you, Steve! 8)
When reserve "kicks in"on my bike, I start looking for a gas station.....don't need anymore stress in my life.... 8)
Agreed! It's usually time to pull over and rest the buttocks, anyway.
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What about expansion and venting issues?
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What about expansion and venting issues?
That's usually handled by resting the buttocks.... ;)
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My buttocks are in worse shape parked, sitting, waiting on gas. I hope not to run out of gas on this trip.
But the last time I ran out I was wishing i could go an extra 10-20 miles to a gas station.
Not even my KiPass can "make fuel".... and its keeps my bike from breaking and gets me lucky too (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
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That's usually handled by resting the buttocks.... ;)
:rotflmao:
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I've added these to both my C10 and my DL1000 bags to carry spare fuel, water, tools, whatever fits the situation. I really like the confidence inspiring spare fuel part the best. Plus,I have been on plenty of rides with other riders in the boonies where some gas sharing had to happen. This just makes it easier.
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What about expansion and venting issues?
Dont overfill the bottles, they have a line and space takes care of expansion. If they are good enough to carry on yer back while hiking, I am assuming they should be fine in my bag. I wouldnt advise using just any bottle, though I have seen some frugal DS riders use gatorade bottles duck taped to their tail rack :yikes:
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UPDATE: My cannister has passed beta testing!
The riding lawn mower ran out of fuel and I dug this contraption from my bike, problem solved (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
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I made my own reserve bottle on my x-country trip back in 09. I mainly only used it going thru Utah since I ran thru some sections with 120 miles between fuel stops on a Superhawk. ;D I didn't need it thankfully, but imagine the looks I got when I decided to go ahead and pour it in at the motel. :o 8)
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/brad976/Cross%20Country%2009/CrossCountry09638.jpg)
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/brad976/Cross%20Country%2009/CrossCountry09639.jpg)