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Larger fuel tank for xj700x?

Discussion in 'XJ Modifications' started by CasingNinja, Feb 4, 2016.

  1. CasingNinja

    CasingNinja Member

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    Apologies in advance if this topic is posted in the forum somewhere. I did a search but came up with zilch, but I know I cannot be the first to think about putting a larger fuel tank to replace the 2.5 gal stock tank I have now. At most, that will go 100 miles, light comes on at 80 miles. Besides I wouldn't mind a different shape tank.
    Anyone know of or have experience in changing tanks out?

    Thank you,
    Gary N
     
  2. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    There are (to my knowledge) no larger tanks which are a direct fit.

    Suggesion #1 Mount a Rotopax or simmilar fuel carrying device.

    Suggestion #2 Plumb in an auxilary tank.

    Suggestion #3 Bya another X tank (dented will be fine) and have it reworked to carry more fuel.


    BTW the stock tank holed just a bit more than 3.5 gallons. You should be getting close to 50 MPG. When was the last time you checked valve clearance and did a general assessment of the carbs?
     
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2016
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  3. quebecois59

    quebecois59 Well-Known Member

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    An auxiliary tank on the back rack could a good temporary solution.
     
  4. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Why the heck can't I type correctly anymore?
     
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  5. CasingNinja

    CasingNinja Member

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    Thank you for the reply. Checked valves, cleaned carbs, set floats, synched carbs about 1 1/2-2 months ago. I haven't been able to put 3.5 gallons in my tank, 2.5 gal was the most and that was almost too much, and I didn't have a gallon of fuel before fueling. That seems odd...Regarding MPG, if I do Highway (75-80 mph) I can get 44-45 mpg, City it drops to 33-37mpg.

    BTW, it wouldn't have to be a drop in replacement, I don't mind some metal work... :)
     
  6. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    That's about right onthe MPG given the higher highway speed limits we have now.
     
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  7. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    Well, you're both kind of ab0ut right......

    The total capacity is roughly 3.5 gal. BUT, that is TOTAL capacity. Take roughly half a gal for reserve, that drops you down to ballpark 3 gal left. Now, reduce that a little more for the gas that stays below the peacock and you can't get, that puts you closer to the 2.5 gal useable that most of us that have a 700/X are used to. Typical is in the ballpark of 100-110 for a tankful. I've gotten as high as 120, and as low as 80....depends on horsing it, wind, etc.......

    Dave
     
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  8. quebecois59

    quebecois59 Well-Known Member

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    It happens to me all the time, some days it feels like my pinkies are dyslexic.
     
  9. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    I have played around with putting a v-star tank on.... It's close, will fit, but still requires some fabrication with the mounts and I haven't gotten back to that project yet.

    The things I ran up against ( and then got too busy with other stuff) were:

    1. Front v-star tank mounts are a bit away from the 700 so some extensions have to be made, and the mounts are different sizes so they have to be adapters, too. So I need to come up with an extension/adapter.

    2. Bottom edge of the tank/petcock sits against the engine unless the tank is raised a bit (adapter/extensions will probably alleviate that)

    3. Tank has to stay back a bit or there is triple clamp/fork interference. ( again, I think that the extension/adapters will solve that, though.....)

    I just need more time to play with that....

    4. The other issue with the v-star tank is the hole for a guage of some sort---- I haven't thought of what to put in there yet, just contemplating the mounting/placement at this point. Guage replacement is secondary at this point...
    .
     
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  10. quebecois59

    quebecois59 Well-Known Member

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    What is the capacity of a v-star tank? Is that the 650 model or bigger?
     
  11. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    The tank the I have is a 650 v-star tank
     
  12. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    Seems I recall it should be just over 4 gal.... Maybe close to 4 and a quarter gal, iirc-----
     
  13. Bigshankhank

    Bigshankhank Active Member

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    For all that effort, would it just be easier to use a petcock with reserve and go old-school? Welding in the necessary flange for the low-fuel sensor seems like a hell of a lot of work to make a redundant light work properly.

    As an out-of-the-box idea, what about removing the pillion pad and fabricating a cargo rack with one of these on it;
    http://tourtank.com/
    [​IMG]

    I had one on my old 883 Sportster and it made a huge difference, more than doubled the range for touring.
     
  14. Bigshankhank

    Bigshankhank Active Member

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    In fact I forgot that they had an image of my bike on their website until I clicked across it
    [​IMG]
     
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  15. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    You mis-understood.... The guage I mean is the gauge pod on top of the tank (speedo/indicator/whatever) in the housing. I'm not cutting/welding anything. I look for SIMPLE ways to mod.
     
  16. CasingNinja

    CasingNinja Member

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    Where as the aux tank fits in with the overall look of your bi 20151226_154515.jpg ke(s), I think it would look terrible on mine. I know function before fashion, but - you know. I will see if I can upload a pic, sometimes I can and other times I just yell at my computer.

    Thank you all for your time and responses, and will take them into consideration if I should take on this project. There are others I think I want to do first.

    Cheers and have a safe Superbowl Sunday!

    Gary
     
  17. CasingNinja

    CasingNinja Member

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    I have no idea why the pic is in the middle of the post... sorry.
     
  18. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    Clean X :).

    Personally, I think it would look even better with the side covers on, the airbox chrome, and the chrome 5-valve covers back on.

    Why did you put your alternator cover on crooked?

    Why did you use Honda-style turn signals?

    If its all your personal preference, fine. If its cuz you didn't know things are missing/wrong, we can help you figure them out too....
     
  19. Bigshankhank

    Bigshankhank Active Member

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    I disagree, I always felt the tank was too far back on the Sportster, whereas with the flat spot on the rear fender of the XJ700, with a properly built rack that follows the angle of the rear portion of the rider's saddle and maybe a small backrest pad adhered to the tank itself would look very proper.
     
  20. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    too much texting bya = buy a
    or your mind is faster than your fingers
     
  21. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    do you use the reserve position on the petcock? thats where your other gallon of gas is located.
     
  22. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    Not quite accurate. SOME of it is the reserve amount..... The rest stays below the petcock and is unavailable for use.
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2016
  23. CasingNinja

    CasingNinja Member

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    Actually, I do not. Currently, I live in Casa Grande, AZ (between Phoenix and Tucson) and don't want to risk running out of fuel in the desert miles from a station or even worse out of cell signal. I have only hit the low fuel light twice, both times around 80 miles into the tank.
     
  24. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    that would be why you have only been able to put 2.5 gallons in the tank.
    sounds like get about 35 mpg .
    you should learn to use the reserve and carry a fuel bottle untill you fab a new tank. post a photo when you do the tank
    only riding 40 miles out from a gas station ain't much of a ride.
     
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  25. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    With my 700, I don't switch to reserve til around 100mi, but my reserve is also a bit low, too, so I know that I'm good to about 100 mi, the light will come on shortly, and I'd better get to a station PRONTO. Regardless of reserve, I'm good for about 100 mi. That's about all my butt is good for at a time
     
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  26. xHondaHack

    xHondaHack Active Member Premium Member

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    Came across and older thread about the subject:
    http://xjbikes.com/forums/threads/larger-tank-for-82-maxim-750-us.44856/
    I'm sure some fabrication will be needed to get one to work on an '85 or '86 model.

    By the way, the capacity for the xj700 and xj700x models is 3.4 gallons with a reserve of .8 gallons. Theoretically the light should come on when you've used up 2.5 gallons from a full tank, and you should be able to switch to reserve and go another 20-25 miles before running out.

    On mine it will spudder a bit and I have to switch to reserve about 5-10 miles before the light comes on (my sensor is slightly off). That's at around 75-80 miles into a full tank. So I fill up at that point and it takes right around 2.5 gallons. Being in the Northeast though, a gas station isn't too far away so I can see how you would want to find a solution that wont leave you stranded out in the desert.

    Here's a standard Maxim 750 tank on Ebay:
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/1982-Yamaha...ash=item4d3eb3d72d:g:i6UAAOSwGotWqUK8&vxp=mtr

    And one for the Seca 750:
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/YAMAHA-GAS-...ash=item280f3be665:g:ju4AAOSwHPlWevZQ&vxp=mtr

    Tony
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2016
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  27. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    80-83 xj650/750 tanks will not fit the 85-86 xj700 without a fair bit of work..... Different dimensions, different tank mounts up front, different shape at the front/interference issues.... Etc....
     
  28. xHondaHack

    xHondaHack Active Member Premium Member

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    I know it would need a fair bit of ingenuity and fabrication, however he did say he "didn't mind some metalwork".

    Tony
     
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  29. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    Then get a 30 gal tank from a Chevy 3500 dually
     
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  30. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Fuel trailer.

    [​IMG]

    OK, it isn't really, but.....
     
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  31. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    This tank was modified by an Ironbutt rider a few years ago. As I recall from reading his ride report is was a bit top-heavy, but manageable.
    [​IMG]
     
  32. CasingNinja

    CasingNinja Member

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    There is an aftermarket petcock on the tank, so I haven't tried reserve yet. I will do that soon. Any ride I take I map out fuel stops in advance, as I did with the Casa Grande to Yuma trip I'm doing this weekend.
    Another reason I would like to change tanks is to have one that is kind of flat on top so I could run a tank bag.

    And, the "fuel trailer" made me shoot Pepsi out of my nose! Thanks!!! And that "custom" tank thing, the first honest to goodness thing I did was say "What the F#$K?!" No wonder it's top heavy, probably 10 lbs of bondo on it from first look - no reason to give it a another...

    I will check out the other ideas for sure and when it comes time to start this project I will post updates and pics for sure!

    Thanks again!

    Gary
     
  33. xHondaHack

    xHondaHack Active Member Premium Member

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    And not to mention it has the aesthetics of a casket...

    Tony
     
  34. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    When the plan is to ride 1500 miles in 24 hours, aesthetics don't matter.
     
  35. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    they are called coffin tanks
     
  36. CasingNinja

    CasingNinja Member

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    That's because I wouldn't be caught dead with one! :)
     
  37. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    Ummm.... I wouldn't be caught ALIVE with one-----
     
  38. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    On the right bike (shovel head, or flathead) they look really good.
     

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