4.5 gallon tank on a Nightster
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
4.5 gallon tank on a Nightster
Ok, the sporty did great on the few road trips to Kansas City (~700 mi). Fuel mileage was 50ish and I was at 80mph most of the time. My range is limited. Fuel light comes on at 100 miles and I pushed it as far as 140 with a 3.1 gallon fill.
Thinking I have a road trip in August covering 1500-2000 miles and while 140 miles my butt needs a break, I would like to not push the bike to run on fumes, so I am thinking of looking on ebay for a used, dinged up 4.5 gallon tank off a custom and swapping it for longer trips. If the color is ugly, rattle can it black and cover the dings with stickers along the way. I'd have to swap the fuel pump from tank to tank which is a pain, but I think if I got it cheap enough it'd be worth it. New tanks from HD are $650
and they say you need this installation kit to mount it to other models including the nightster which I am unsure if this is a necessity
Also NEW aftermarket tanks range from $195-225 which are a consideration
Yes I know, I am turning my low riding sleek nightster into a typical custom sporty, but that's just how I operate sometimes
Thinking I have a road trip in August covering 1500-2000 miles and while 140 miles my butt needs a break, I would like to not push the bike to run on fumes, so I am thinking of looking on ebay for a used, dinged up 4.5 gallon tank off a custom and swapping it for longer trips. If the color is ugly, rattle can it black and cover the dings with stickers along the way. I'd have to swap the fuel pump from tank to tank which is a pain, but I think if I got it cheap enough it'd be worth it. New tanks from HD are $650
and they say you need this installation kit to mount it to other models including the nightster which I am unsure if this is a necessity Also NEW aftermarket tanks range from $195-225 which are a consideration
Yes I know, I am turning my low riding sleek nightster into a typical custom sporty, but that's just how I operate sometimes
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Are you going back to the 3.3 gallon tank after the trip?
Sounds like a lot of hassle and $$$ just for one trip. Why not get one or two camping gasoline bottles and have them strapped to your luggage somewhere? Not sure how much those hold but I'm guessing with 2 you might get close to a gallon, which would be equivalent to having about a 4.5 gallon tank.
Just a thought.
Something like this: http://hubpages.com/hub/FiveBestCampingGas
Sounds like a lot of hassle and $$$ just for one trip. Why not get one or two camping gasoline bottles and have them strapped to your luggage somewhere? Not sure how much those hold but I'm guessing with 2 you might get close to a gallon, which would be equivalent to having about a 4.5 gallon tank.
Just a thought.
Something like this: http://hubpages.com/hub/FiveBestCampingGas
Last edited by jbyun; Jul 7, 2011 at 09:09 AM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 122
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Not just for one trip. It's for anytime I leave the state which is 5-6 times a season. My goal is NOT to run out of fuel, have to stop, toss in a half gallon to get me to a station to stop yet again. The goal is to be able to ride up to 200 miles or less and get gas once I am in need of a break, not when my bike tells me to on fumes. Yes I will swap back to the 3.3. It needs a paint job bad, as tank bags have scratched it up badly and after the repaint it will never have a tank bag on it again, but I require one for longer trips.
I don't carry much luggage. Strap a tank bag on and a backpack to the pillion and I am off. I have two large camping bottles for my dual sport trips, but could not find a decent place to strap them on safely. I lost a bottle of gatorade this trip, hate to loose 32oz of fuel at 75mph. But yes a half gallon of extra fuel might get me by. I could also strap one of these Rotopax under my backpack for a full gallon of fuel which I could also mount on my dual sport....hmmmm
Anyway, back on track. If I find a deal on a 'C' tank will it bolt right up or do I need that $130 install kit. If so, it's def not worth it.
I don't carry much luggage. Strap a tank bag on and a backpack to the pillion and I am off. I have two large camping bottles for my dual sport trips, but could not find a decent place to strap them on safely. I lost a bottle of gatorade this trip, hate to loose 32oz of fuel at 75mph. But yes a half gallon of extra fuel might get me by. I could also strap one of these Rotopax under my backpack for a full gallon of fuel which I could also mount on my dual sport....hmmmm
Anyway, back on track. If I find a deal on a 'C' tank will it bolt right up or do I need that $130 install kit. If so, it's def not worth it.
Last edited by 30Bones; Jul 7, 2011 at 09:34 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 80
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From: Kearneysville, WV
Hey man......They do bolt right up. That istallation kit is NOT necessary at all. Total ripoff...I've been swapping tank between our Nightster, 48, and Custom and all three are set up the exact same way when it comes to the fuel pump setup and bolt placement to the frame....The fuel pumps take about 5 minutes to swap from tank to tank. (not counting the time to drain them and take them on/off) Once you do it a time or two, you'll get the whole job done in about 30 minutes.....total.......They recommend replacing the fuel pump gasket every time you change them over, but that is unessesary too....I've used the same gasket on 4 swaps and haven't had a drop of fuel leak by........Just make sure you torque the fuel pump bolts down correctly (evenly to start).......Hope this helps ya man.....
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Hey man......They do bolt right up. That istallation kit is NOT necessary at all. Total ripoff...I've been swapping tank between our Nightster, 48, and Custom and all three are set up the exact same way when it comes to the fuel pump setup and bolt placement to the frame....The fuel pumps take about 5 minutes to swap from tank to tank. (not counting the time to drain them and take them on/off) Once you do it a time or two, you'll get the whole job done in about 30 minutes.....total.......They recommend replacing the fuel pump gasket every time you change them over, but that is unessesary too....I've used the same gasket on 4 swaps and haven't had a drop of fuel leak by........Just make sure you torque the fuel pump bolts down correctly (evenly to start).......Hope this helps ya man.....
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 819
Likes: 6
From: Long Island N.Y.
Did the swap myself, a few months back. IIRC you will need the HD part # 75301-07. That's the gasket that goes in between the efi module and tank. You can re-use the bolts and screws from the old tank to mount the new one on. Good Luck.
EDIT: Found the HD pdf instructions for you. The gasket is part number 4 in the instruction. You dont need the whole kit, just the gasket.
link==>http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US...ts/-J04180.pdf
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EDIT: Found the HD pdf instructions for you. The gasket is part number 4 in the instruction. You dont need the whole kit, just the gasket.
link==>http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US...ts/-J04180.pdf
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Last edited by knightenforcer; Jul 7, 2011 at 05:15 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,790
Likes: 7
From: Texas
This sounds like a HUGE waste of time and money to me. Not to mention the 4.5 tank is not very asthetically pleasing to say the least.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 819
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From: Long Island N.Y.
It does'nt look pretty, but to some it's "peace of mind"
(the extra gallon or so could mean NOT pushing the bike to the next station)
(the extra gallon or so could mean NOT pushing the bike to the next station)
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 122
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Thanks knightenforcer, bike looks real good to me.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
I don't like the peanut tank, much prefer the custom style on my SuperLow, which at least gives the bike a usable range! As for buying a second tank, that is best done by taking your time. I bought a 6 gallon tank off ebay for my old Glide for just 66 bucks (before shipping) with one small dent. The paint is so good I hardly dare touch it!