Question: Swapping '05 XL1200C tank onto a '95 XLH1200
#1
09-13-2010, 09:51 AM
Question: Swapping '05 XL1200C tank onto a '95 XLH1200
Hi all,
I have a 95 XL 1200 Sportster that I use a lot for long road trips. Really would like to have a bigger bike, but the finances don't allow it, so I'm making due with what I have and modding the sporty to handle the highways better.
One of the big problem areas is the tiny 3.2 gal peanut tank that has me stopping for gas every 100 miles. Some of the trips through the remote desert southwest here can get sketchy, because even after filling up completely, I often hit reserve before I even get to the next gas station. For this reason, I'm considering adding a larger tank.
I've seen all the aftermarket tanks, such as the “quick-bob” tanks, the “porkster” tanks, the “king” and other types of larger peanut tanks, and I've even seen someone put a road-glide tank on a sporty to get a 5 gal capacity. These area all viable options, but I'm not really keen on the looks of any of them. They look too “fat” for my taste, and I'm also not a fan of the peanut tank.
The tank that I absolutely LOVE the looks of is the factory “extra capacity” 4.5 gal tank on the newer XL 1200 Custom sportsters. It's larger capacity, but doesn't look too “fat”. It's low, lean, and clean, and I like the looks of it. See example below:
I'm seriously considering just buying a factory replacement tank for a 2005 XL1200C and adapting it to my bike. I'm just concerned about hooking it up, as the newer tank is for a fuel-injected bike and uses an in-tank pump, whereas my bike is carbed and is gravity feed. I'm pretty mechanically inclined (I rebuild engines for hot-rods, do fabrication for off-road trucks, etc), but I just want to know what I'd be up against if I decided to go this route. Anybody know if anyone has already done this swap onto a rigid mount sporty? Will the mounting tabs line up, or am I going to have to break out the MIG welder? What about seat clearance? I have a big 2-up touring seat, and I need every inch of room for it (and for me). Anybody have a source I can check for a reasonably priced tank in addition to ebay? Or do you think I'm condemned to going to the stealership?
Any thoughts or ideas appreciated.
I have a 95 XL 1200 Sportster that I use a lot for long road trips. Really would like to have a bigger bike, but the finances don't allow it, so I'm making due with what I have and modding the sporty to handle the highways better.
One of the big problem areas is the tiny 3.2 gal peanut tank that has me stopping for gas every 100 miles. Some of the trips through the remote desert southwest here can get sketchy, because even after filling up completely, I often hit reserve before I even get to the next gas station. For this reason, I'm considering adding a larger tank.
I've seen all the aftermarket tanks, such as the “quick-bob” tanks, the “porkster” tanks, the “king” and other types of larger peanut tanks, and I've even seen someone put a road-glide tank on a sporty to get a 5 gal capacity. These area all viable options, but I'm not really keen on the looks of any of them. They look too “fat” for my taste, and I'm also not a fan of the peanut tank.
The tank that I absolutely LOVE the looks of is the factory “extra capacity” 4.5 gal tank on the newer XL 1200 Custom sportsters. It's larger capacity, but doesn't look too “fat”. It's low, lean, and clean, and I like the looks of it. See example below:
I'm seriously considering just buying a factory replacement tank for a 2005 XL1200C and adapting it to my bike. I'm just concerned about hooking it up, as the newer tank is for a fuel-injected bike and uses an in-tank pump, whereas my bike is carbed and is gravity feed. I'm pretty mechanically inclined (I rebuild engines for hot-rods, do fabrication for off-road trucks, etc), but I just want to know what I'd be up against if I decided to go this route. Anybody know if anyone has already done this swap onto a rigid mount sporty? Will the mounting tabs line up, or am I going to have to break out the MIG welder? What about seat clearance? I have a big 2-up touring seat, and I need every inch of room for it (and for me). Anybody have a source I can check for a reasonably priced tank in addition to ebay? Or do you think I'm condemned to going to the stealership?
Any thoughts or ideas appreciated.
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