Those with an R&M Works Belly Tank

[Farther]

In preparation for my 40th high school reunion (4k+ miles round trip) next July I am considering a belly tank.  Would those with an R&M Works Belly Tanks provide an update on your experience.  Pros vs. cons would be appreciated.

[X Ring]

Love mine.  Allows me to gas up when I want to not when I have to.  I refill when I've got 225-230 miles on a tank.  Let's me be a little discriminating about where I buy gas.  Can be a pain finding someone to install the tank bung.  When removing/installing the rear wheel, you can't drop the rear wheel down to remove/install the axle.  You have to go over the exhaust.  Don't have to worry about hydrolock as much.  Fuel can't flow unrestrained to the carbs.   

[Sasha47VSSS]

I did the installation myself, bit of pain to reach all the bolts as my hand are quite big. Spent a morning dismantling, modifying and installing. Very simple and very pleasant to extend the range between two topping-up. Beside the belly tank, have replaced the standard tank with a bigger one (29 liters) equipped with a gauge.
Take care about modifying the OEM fuel petcock. I have had a Pingel and had to replace it with a standard (Pingle doesn't allow to fill up the belly tank completely during the refueling).
Warmly recommend to instal the belly tank. For tire change, I remove the right side exhaust (mine is a custom made, split is just behind the footpeg). I think that wit a appropriate motorcycle lift the tyre can be removed as usual.

[bentwrench]

Love mine,although I had a few  problems with the supplied pump,R+M were quick to replace it.
              Tire changes are the same for me as I usaully pull the shocks and raise the wheel up to pull the axle.
bw

[Robert]

If you are thinking about getting one go for it you wont be sorry. The extended range is great takes a little to get used to the slightly different look but really a good addition. 125 miles starting to look for gas is to soon this gives you a bit of leeway. The one negative thing I can say is the pump is a bit loud. Install is easy and the tank is rock solid it fills with gas just fine so there are really no downsides.

[T-Bird]

How's clearance ?  I've thought about adding one, but was worried about it dragging in the twisties.

[John Schmidt]

For myself, I don't need a belly tank since I'll usually go in excess of 200 miles anyway before going on reserve when on a trip. Around town it's usually less which is to be expected in stop/go traffic. But, just last week I filled up at 185 miles and took only 5 gals, and I wasn't on the reserve yet since I still had nearly 2 gals left. That figures out to 37 mpg which isn't bad for the city, and at least another 37+/- before hitting reserve. That would put me around 220 or more before needing to fill up. On trips...anymore I just don't ride 200 miles nonstop so it's really not an issue.

All this is predicated on the right wrist, which as we all know has a direct effect on mpg. 

[Farther]

For myself, I don't need a belly tank ...

 Please confine your response to your experience with the R&M Belly Tank or please start your own thread.

[X Ring]

How's clearance ?  I've thought about adding one, but was worried about it dragging in the twisties.

T-Bird, is that a Red & White '97 Tourer?  Don't worry about the belly tank dragging in the twisties.  It hangs down a couple of inches below the exhaust and you have to point it out to people, they usually don't notice it.  Since you're leaning over in a curve, you're actually rotating the tank away from the road.  Other things will drag long before the tank hits, like your pegs, shifter, brake pedal, engine guards, etc.

[John Schmidt]

For myself, I don't need a belly tank ...

 Please confine your response to your experience with the R&M Belly Tank or please start your own thread.

Unless you've been designated by the Administration as a member of the "board police," your demands are for naught.

I WAS commenting on the belly tank, and my lack of need for it based on personal experience. Often, a person's own experience re. a particular subject matter helps another member make a more educated decision. Obviously that portion of my post went unnoticed.

PS: Judging by the three registrations under the same name and all with a different member number in the 30xxx range, I'd say I've been around this board and organization much longer. During that time, I, along with many other members, have come to realize that giving personal experience such as I outlined is beneficial in many cases. Bullish demands, however, are not. If this trip is for your 40th year reunion, have a good and safe trip. It also shows I've been around Mother Earth quite a few years longer as well, my 50th reunion was a few years ago....after I retired. Maybe by then you will also have developed a little tolerance as well.

[X Ring]

John, I have a question for you.  You stated you went 185 miles and took 5 gallons to fill up yet you weren't in reserve.  How is that when the Tourer has the same capacity as the Standard, 5.3 gallons and 1 gallon of that is reserve.  Do you have an I/S tank on your Valk?

Marty

[John Schmidt]

John, I have a question for you.  You stated you went 185 miles and took 5 gallons to fill up yet you weren't in reserve.  How is that when the Tourer has the same capacity as the Standard, 5.3 gallons and 1 gallon of that is reserve.  Do you have an I/S tank on your Valk?

Marty

The bike is/was originally a Tourer and I found the tank within a few months of getting the bike so I've had it for about seven years now. Before mounting it, I was curious as to the actual capacity so tested it with it sitting at approx. the same angle as when mounted on the bike. Result....it will hold just over 7 gals. even though it's rated at 6.9 gals. Since then, there has been a couple times where I pushed the envelope purposely to see how much it would take, and have actually taken just over 7 to fill it. Obviously I was on reserve by that time, and carrying a small container just in case. I did the test mainly to test the accuracy of my fuel gauge. When I calibrated the gauge initially(Autometer), I set it to read a bit low, so now when it reads the big "E" I actually have just over 2 gals. left. It tends to keep you out of trouble that way. 

[fstsix]

John thanks for your info, On the IS tank i have also been debating the Belly tank, Your info on this TOPIC was very Helpful. My Supercharged bike could use some added fuel capacity how much is what We are curious about to compare.

[X Ring]

Ok John.  That's what I thought from your earlier post.  Farther wants to increase the range of his Valk and your experience is not typical.  I can understand why you wouldn't consider installing belly tank.  You have the added capacity of the I/S tank.  If I had one, I wouldn't consider buying a belly tank either.  But the $425 for a belly tank is a lot less expensive than the $1K plus paint for an I/S tank.  The added 1.3 gallons capacity over the I/S tank is an additional benefit. So John, lighten up and remember the experiences you have with your Tourer and it's mods may not apply or be helpful for those not contemplating the same mod.  

Marty  

[X Ring]

OK guys.  Capacities.  Standard/Tourer Tank:  5.3 gallons
                                       Interstate Tank:  6.9 gallons
                                       Little Belly Tank:  2.5 gallons
                                    Original Belly Tank:  3.0 gallons

If you've got the Cobra exhaust, you can't use the Original Belly Tank and must use the Little one.  

Marty

[Robert]

Clearance  on tank in twisties no problem

[fstsix]

Electric Fuel pump? This is my biggest concern,I have had 3 so far and reliability is # 1 on my list. Has any one with Belly tank had issues with fuel pumps or hydrolock.

[Farther]

Thanks for your comments about the R&M Belly Tank.  I am fortunate enough that my route back home comes close to Moses Lake, WA where R&M is.  So, when the times comes I might make a short side trip to have the tank installed by the manufacturer.

[X Ring]

bentwrench earlier in the thread said he had a problem with his pump but R&M were quick to replace it.  I bought my belly tank used from a guy that was installing Cobras and had to switch to the smaller tank.  I had a couple of minor issues installing and called R&M.  They answered my questions without hesitiation.  Good people.  I highly recommend the belly tank.  Of course, for your situation, having a gas tanker follow you around might not be a bad idea 

[X Ring]

Farther, just call and make sure he'll be home. 

[fstsix]

Thank you all for this very nice topic. Just a little confused on what is considered Aftermarket vs Manufacturer. 

[T-Bird]

How's clearance ?  I've thought about adding one, but was worried about it dragging in the twisties.

T-Bird, is that a Red & White '97 Tourer?  Don't worry about the belly tank dragging in the twisties.  It hangs down a couple of inches below the exhaust and you have to point it out to people, they usually don't notice it.  Since you're leaning over in a curve, you're actually rotating the tank away from the road.  Other things will drag long before the tank hits, like your pegs, shifter, brake pedal, engine guards, etc.

That is my old 98 Tourer, sold it to csimmons on here. I now have yellow & cream standard. (just need a good picture of it!)
 The belly tank would be good for when I'm riding solo. When riding with a group someone will have to stop around 100 miles or so anyways. I will eventually put a belly tank on, but not a high priority right now.

[John Schmidt]

Re. the blower, I agree....you most likely would need additional capacity for trips. I've heard mileage takes a bit of a hit when you add the huffer.

As to "lighten up".....yeah, I guess so. It just struck the wrong chord at the moment, hope no harm was done.....my original comments were only meant for information to be used in the final decision, nothing more.

I can recall a couple trips made with others that still had the stock tank, and as was mentioned in one post....we stopped every 100 or so miles. But, when I've been traveling alone it's a different story. Oh well...so be it.

A special note to Farther re. the reunion. Don't be surprised at how nice looking some of the "unpopular" gals are now, and how fat and ugly some of the cheerleaders turned out. I happened to be around for my 30th, what a shock. A few years ago when my 50th rolled around, I decided I've made it all these years without any of them so didn't feel obligated to attend. Based on a copy of the group picture I received, it was a good decision.

[fstsix]

Re. the blower, I agree....you most likely would need additional capacity for trips. I've heard mileage takes a bit of a hit when you add the huffer.

As to "lighten up".....yeah, I guess so. It just struck the wrong chord at the moment, hope no harm was done.....my original comments were only meant for information to be used in the final decision, nothing more.

I can recall a couple trips made with others that still had the stock tank, and as was mentioned in one post....we stopped every 100 or so miles. But, when I've been traveling alone it's a different story. Oh well...so be it.

A special note to Farther re. the reunion. Don't be surprised at how nice looking some of the "unpopular" gals are now, and how fat and ugly some of the cheerleaders turned out. I happened to be around for my 30th, what a shock. A few years ago when my 50th rolled around, I decided I've made it all these years without any of them so didn't feel obligated to attend. Based on a copy of the group picture I received, it was a good decision.

John i always enjoy reply's  .BTW 32 MPG 45 flatslide verified by riders in New England VRCC. As far as pulling tanker no problemo Thanks La Monster. And John that IS tank is a Manufacturer (option) no fuel pump required.

[Farther]

A special note to Farther re. the reunion.

Thanks for the advise.  The last time I was back to the reservation (Sisseton, SD) was for my 20th reunion.  I was surprised at all the beards and bald heads on the guys and how the women were so good looking.  20 years ago I was running 10k road races on a regular basis.  Now 20 years later and 40 pounds heavier I am no longer running road races and I have the beard with the "thinning" head of hair.

[Farther]

I made the 1100 mile round trip to Moses Lake through the sleet, rain, hail and high wind and got the belly tank installed.  So far I am very satisfied with the tank.  Having 8 gallons of fuel makes life a little simpler.  My concern about hydrolock is non-existant now with the electric fuel pump and range is increased at least 100 miles.  Both Roger and Maurie were a pleasure.  What a beautiful shop Roger has.

[gordonv]

Am I'm out of place (or off topic) to ask what was the total cost and turn around time to have it installed while your where there?

Even though I have the IS, I'm thinking since almost all my riding is alone (with passenger) I would like the longer range for long trips I'm hoping to make.

With regards to the electric pumps, having an ACE Tourer with electric pump, I never hear it. So it was mentioned that the add on pump makes noice?

[Farther]

The tank & fittings are $425, install took two hours and was $100.  The electric fuel pump makes so little noise that I have to pay attention in order to hear it when I turn the ignition on without firing up the engine.  While the engine is running I don't hear the fuel pump at all.

[Sodbuster]

Farther -
What did you end up using for a petcock ??  I'm a little confused .... do you take it completely off or ??

Thanks

 

[Farther]

The OEM petcock was used, but rebuilt to accomodate the belly tank.  Check out R&M Works internet site (see links below).  R&M Works has an install PDF that explains how to modify the OEM petcock to function with the belly tank. 

The worse case scenario on the belly tank that I can think of is failure of the electric fuel pump.  In that case the fuel delivery set up can be field improvised back to the gravity feed until a new pump can be gotten from R&M Works.  You do, however, lose the vacuum feature of the stock petcock and the petcock will have to be turned off when the engine is shut down to prevent hydrolock if you have a stuck float.

I am a mechanical retard so I hope I am not talking out of my ass on this.  It is best to address technical questions to Roger Hansen the owner of R&M Works.

www.rmworksinc.com/
www.rmworksinc.com/files/Belly_tank_instruction_manuel-pdf2.pdf

[lljjmm]

Can you have the center stand with the belly tank or even the "smaller" size belly tank?

[Wildman]

I like my belly tank.
No hodrolock, and you'd have to wear through the foot pegs exhaust and a good portion of the frame and swing arm to get to the tank by cornering hard.

It's hard to tell just how much gas is in the tank when you run out and switch to reserve.
If you have been going up hill or excellerating hard the drain at the back of the tank can empty a lot fuel quickly, it's a large diameter line. normally you only drain the fuel that the carbs used but in this case it dumps to the belly tank through the large line. When you go to reserve there could be considerably less than 1.3 gallons. I get 40 MPG when I'm on reserve < 3K RPM easy on the throttle twist.
I've gotten as little as 20 miles after switching to reserve before running out.
doesn't sound to bad but if you are flogging the throttle watch out The Valk can get just high teens for milage when your at thripple digit speeds for the whole tank.

[Farther]

Can you have the center stand with the belly tank or even the "smaller" size belly tank?

www.rmworksinc.com/FAQpage-belly-tank.html

[ptgb]

Farther -
What did you end up using for a petcock ??  I'm a little confused .... do you take it completely off or ??

Had a belly tank on my 97 Standard... they are great! Didn't transfer to the I/S that I now have, one, because it would make the fuel gauge incorrect; two, I would have about near ten gallons of gas onboard... bladder, arse, or legs wouldn't last that long.

Anyway... yes, the petcock is switched over to a strictly manual valve, but it has nothing to do with normal fuel delivery anymore. The petcock assembly has two uses only then... one, it is a vent for the belly tank. The belly tank is attached to the OEM tank with a rather large fuel line. Then the pump connects to the valk's fuel line. The second use for the petcock line is when you use reserve... when you switch the OEM selector to RESERVE, it drains the remaining fuel (the reserve capacity) from the top tank down to the belly tank. So, actually once the "reserve" fuel drains down to the belly tank, the selector can be moved back to either off or on.. it doesn't matter.

The belly tank works as advertised... it is a really well engineered.

[X Ring]

The worse case scenario on the belly tank that I can think of is failure of the electric fuel pump.  In that case the fuel delivery set up can be field improvised back to the gravity feed until a new pump can be gotten from R&M Works. 

Good luck with that.  Been there, done that, got the tshirt.

Marty