Regular tank/Interstate tank.

[IdahoRaider]

Have been looking around for an I/S tank for the gas increase. What is the easiest way to tell if it is a larger tank? I am finding that photos many times are not that great to rely on. Do only the Interstate tanks have the square sender unit underneath ,or did some of the regular tanks have them too. I know there is more of a straight up rise in the front of the tank, but again, photos can be deceiving. Any advise is appreciated and thank you in advance.

[The emperor has no clothes]

As you stated, the square sender unit is going to be the easiest way to tell. No Standard or Tourer tanks came with them. Also, if you are purchasing from a picture try to get one of the inside to insure no rust.

[Forge]

The rear of the tank is taller on the IS tank which is why some aftermarket seats won’t fit the IS.

[$ Ball]

While you are on the subject, what’s the capacity of the interstate tanks.

[Farside]

While you are on the subject, what’s the capacity of the interstate tanks.

I believe it's 6.9 gallons. 

[Jess from VA]

Here's what's left of an old Tim Skelton article on installing an Interstate tank on a Standard.

Some good clear pics (will blow up).

http://web.archive.org/web/20160806020238/http://timskelton.com/valkyrie/how_to/tank.htm

[IdahoRaider]

Thanks for the info.

[MarkT]

Put one on my 98 Std Deerslayer.  In 2002.  Was easy to find one back then. I put a Ultimate Big Boy seat on it.  Added velocity stacks.  Had to shim the tank up a bit to clear the stacks as it's a little wider.  Which made the Ultimate seat too tight so I modified the front attachment loop. No biggy with a metal shop. The extra fuel is great - now I can stop at my convenience rather than "I better gas up before I head out to the ranch."

[IdahoRaider]

So everything that I have collected so far tells me the 2 easiest ways to tell the difference between the standard and Interstae are. 1. Fuel sender receptacle underneath tank in the middle, 2. Rear of tank does not taper off, it is more squared that allows more fuel space.
Is that how everyone else understands it ?

[Glaserbeam]

I did the upgrade - you will not regret it!  Since I'm only getting 24 mpg (I like to accelerate), with the std tank I had to go on reserve around 100 mi and could run out of gas at 125.  Now I can go to 145 mi before going on reserve; empty at 170.

I modified the aluminum "dust block" that was mounted over the sender hole (it was a new Interstate tank) with a gasket and o-ring to create a tight seal.

I just bought a used sender unit/gas gauge and have to figure out how to install it and wire it up. 

[Jess from VA]

So everything that I have collected so far tells me the 2 easiest ways to tell the difference between the standard and Interstate are. 1. Fuel sender receptacle underneath tank in the middle, 2. Rear of tank does not taper off, it is more squared that allows more fuel space.
Is that how everyone else understands it ?

Yes.  (the rear is much taller/bubble-like with the interstate tank)

If you are buying on-line, just insure you get pictures good enough to tell the difference.  Don't take someone's word.  And I'd like some assurance the inside is clean and not rusted/gummed up.  And the petcock hookup is clean.  And the sending unit wire has not been cut.

Another thing that has not been mentioned is colors.  Interstate colors were not as varied as the std/tourers, and most will be black (made every year '99-'01), others are green/silver, black/red, champagne beige/black, blue/silver, and rare burgundy/black.  Course, it could have been painted, but unlikely.

Also the maidenhead tank badges are also unique to interstates. (If not removed, but some put them on their stds and tourers)



Not.

[IdahoRaider]

  thank you

[IdahoRaider]

The different emblem was staring me in the face all this time and never noticed it.

[Jess from VA]

I did detailed, hairsplitting investigations (of many kinds) for most of my life.

I'm good at it. 

But it generally irritates people.   

[The emperor has no clothes]

The different emblem was staring me in the face all this time and never noticed it.

The later model Standards and Tourers will also have the Maidenhead. You'd be a real badass if you got the I/S tank along with the Euro badges. 

[Jess from VA]

The later model Standards and Tourers will also have the Maidenhead

Well this I didn't know. 

[cookiedough]

I have a tourer and I/S and from say 6 feet away, I cannot tell the difference in size pretty hard to tell IMO unless sitting side by side.

I do think it is a worthwhile investment since most std/tourers gets less mpg stock vs. stock vs. an I/S and that extra 1.6 gallons surely helps go 150 miles or more very easily vs. say 120 or so with the smaller tank.  I ran out onto reserve on my tourer this summer first time after buying it last November was sort of worried it will fire up, but it did after a little coaxing of the throttle switching to reserve.  You can definitely tell within 1-2 miles tops of when it is going to quit running no throttle response and lethargic will not go fast if applying throttle.  Just glad my tourer fired up after dying and backfiring first along the road when I ran out of gas having to switch to reserve.  My kids 1997 honda magna ran out of gas as well a few times good learning lesson for us both driving longer distances last summer me on my I/S, much smaller 3.6 gallon or so gas capacity but gets 45 pushing 50 avg mpg on a good day.   I just have to remember to stop for gas MUCH sooner if we go somewhere, but now him having the LARGE 6 gallon something gas tank on his yamaha fjr1300,  he can go further than me without stopping for gas since he gets near 44 avg mpg with that if driven sensibly for sure over 40 avg mpg.     

been thinking of getting a used near new 2014/2015 honda ctx700 to replace the magna not driven and possibly my old 98 tourer come spring since near new, fuel injected, somewhat comfy, for a commuter bike being more reliable as well  similar 3.5 gallon gas tank or so but heard they will get over 60 avg mpg and that is great news for someone who has to drive around 40 miles one way to go anywhere decent.

[9Ball]

The different emblem was staring me in the face all this time and never noticed it.

The later model Standards and Tourers will also have the Maidenhead. You'd be a real badass if you got the I/S tank along with the Euro badges. 

I bought a set of the euro badges years ago from a Valkyrie owner in France.  Paid $140 for them at the time.  Someday I might even remove my current badges and install these...

[Chrisj CMA]

I have a tourer and I/S and from say 6 feet away, I cannot tell the difference in size pretty hard to tell IMO unless sitting side by side.

I do think it is a worthwhile investment since most std/tourers gets less mpg stock vs. stock vs. an I/S and that extra 1.6 gallons surely helps go 150 miles or more very easily vs. say 120 or so with the smaller tank.  I ran out onto reserve on my tourer this summer first time after buying it last November was sort of worried it will fire up, but it did after a little coaxing of the throttle switching to reserve.  You can definitely tell within 1-2 miles tops of when it is going to quit running no throttle response and lethargic will not go fast if applying throttle.  Just glad my tourer fired up after dying and backfiring first along the road when I ran out of gas having to switch to reserve.  My kids 1997 honda magna ran out of gas as well a few times good learning lesson for us both driving longer distances last summer me on my I/S, much smaller 3.6 gallon or so gas capacity but gets 45 pushing 50 avg mpg on a good day.   I just have to remember to stop for gas MUCH sooner if we go somewhere, but now him having the LARGE 6 gallon something gas tank on his yamaha fjr1300,  he can go further than me without stopping for gas since he gets near 44 avg mpg with that if driven sensibly for sure over 40 avg mpg.     

been thinking of getting a used near new 2014/2015 honda ctx700 to replace the magna not driven and possibly my old 98 tourer come spring since near new, fuel injected, somewhat comfy, for a commuter bike being more reliable as well  similar 3.5 gallon gas tank or so but heard they will get over 60 avg mpg and that is great news for someone who has to drive around 40 miles one way to go anywhere decent.

Sounds like you are too slow to switch.  I have ran out onto reserve a handful of times, the bike never died.  just switch to reserve and head to the gas station.  I guess one must be aware of miles traveled estimated gas remaining and how shes running, not paying attention and one may not know its the gas until its too late I can only guess.