In 2003 we shipped our bike to Chicago for Harley's Centenary and travelled to relatives who live in southern Minnesota, before going onto Wisconsin. We crossed from Illinois into Iowa, so I shouldn't have picked on Iowa, as we were running short of gas in Illinois as well! We want to be better prepared for the next Centenary....

We only did it once! Because it was Centenary year we were able to buy a package deal from Claridon, HOG approved shipper. There were many hundreds of Europeans who shipped with them, about 70 of us forwarded to Chicago. It cost the same as both our return air fares, plus insurance for the bike while we were riding in the USA, which cost a fortune, for just a month! Claridon will ship to your requirements and destination, but it is more expensive than it was when they were doing it by the container load back in '03.

As a visitor to the UK the only thing I can think of is that you would need to ensure your low beam does not dazzle oncoming traffic. We drive on the other side of the road and if you have an assymetric beam pattern you will need to stick tape on your lamp to cut out the upturned part of the beam. We have to do the same when visiting Europe. If you visit the rest of Europe you will not need to do anything, except enjoy yourselves!

 

I spent some time looking at alternative big tanks. Living in the UK I have to take into account shipping across the Atlantic plus UK import taxes. I can buy them from UK suppliers in some cases, but those costs still have to be paid. I paid $66 for my as good as new 2009 tank, $163 shipped to the UK. It looks so good I hardly dare pick it up, yet alone risk putting it near the bike!

What I did not properly research is the top plate, which fits in the top of the tank and has added cost, but I chanced on a new one which cost me $32 plus shipping. I also have bought a console assembly at $90 plus. As you can see, these are pretty cheap compared with buying new.

I tried to buy a new motor from Jireh about three years ago and although they kept giving me promises, they never followed through, so I never even considered them for a tank. But the guarantee of bolting straight on would be great!

 

Dale,

There is a challenge when 'improving' a Harley (as distinct from customising it) by just living in the UK. I have owned Harleys since the 70s when there was only one dealer in the whole of these islands. There are around thirty today, many of them quite recent, all of them far smaller than we have seen in the States, so we don't have the depth of expertise over here, or the stock of older bikes and all round Harley knowledge.

We do however have great brakes and tyres (Harrison and Avon).

In earlier years I used to buy US bike mags ('Big Bike' was a favourite) and read the words off the pages to learn - and use a fax machine for buying stuff. These days we have the internet and rapid access to information and knowledge, from the great US encyclopaedia of Harley know-how! Makes a huge difference and made my recent rear suspension upgrade both possible and such a great success.

We now have access to much the same sources of parts as you, although there are still challenges. Not all US dealers and firms will ship abroad, so I have quite recently got around that by having stuff shipped to family in the US and then forwarded. Where there's a will, there's a way! What I really miss is not being able to ride my bike to some of the US specialists for hands-on work.

If this new tank fits and works, and it gives over 6 gallons (or more than five of our gallons!) it will be a worthwhile project. Front forks next....

 

Black things are never easy to photograph, but I have done my best. A couple of shots of my new tank, with the top view showing the large 4" diameter hole in the top. I put a sheet of paper inside to highlight the hole. That is not the filler, but where the EFI pump etc are housed. The filler neck is normal size and integral with the top plate, which sits in that hole, due any day!

 

No question had I had a Softail with flatsides, I would have done this mod long ago.

 

I can go well over 200 with my 5.2 gallon tanks, and that is good enough for me. But I can sure see how some could use a little more, and your mod would sure fit the bill. A very interesting thread.

 

i would love to put a 6gal tank on my 93 evo. going to need it after my big engine mod. prob only going to be getting 30 mpg

 

Iv'e got 6 gallon stretched tanks . Love em .

 

My top plate has arrived, so I now have the major Harley components for my 6 gallon tank. Its a plastic moulding that fills the large hole in the top of the tank, with the tab pointing to the front of the bike. Looking at the top of it the white moulding to the right is an electrical connector for the pump etc and on the left is a vent tube.

Looking from underneath, the round white thing is the underside of the vent, which has a valve in it and presumably supplies air into the tank, as well as letting out any overfill. The electrical connector is removable, but will leave a gaping hole, which is not a good idea, so that stays! Overall diameter of the plate is just under 5 inches.

The odd shaped black moulding holds some of the EFI stuff, which with a carb bike I do not need. It is removable, by undoing that screw, so I have since taken that off, simply to clean it up. Should give an extra egg-cupful of fuel! You can also see the groove around the edge of the plate, in which a sealing ring fits, to seal the top plate into the top of the tank.

 

Graham - you got a STEAL on that tank! I've been searching on eBay, but all of the 6 gallon tanks are listed for far more than what you paid... hundreds of dollars. There are currently one or two for under $100 - but they have not-so-minor blemishes, dents, scratches, etc. I'm going to keep looking for a Road Glide one in vivid black for a reasonable price, because I like the look of the RG one you have better than the Ultra ones. I found a new 2010 RG one in black with no pinstripes... but it's listed for $500, which is absurd on eBay!

Does that little basket-looking piece under the gas cap stay? Where'd you get the top plate, and how much did you pay for it? Also, how much did you pay for your console? Just trying to size up the actual investment if I were to go the route you are going.

Please keep posting your progress with pics... this little project of yours has me quite intrigued! But I sure don't want to have to cut the top frame member like the guy did in the other thread you referenced, though. If it comes to that, it's off for me.