Gas Tank Capacity Question

[Calboy]

I have a 2003 Valkyrie CD, California model.
I am rebuilding the OEM petcock so I had the drain the gas tank completely, and to my surprise, when everything was said and done I got close to six and a half gallons out of it.
Is that the total quantity of gas that it takes to fill the tank when the actual usable quantity is only 5.3 gallons?
I am the second owner and totally new to this bike, and I assume that what I have is the standard gas tank and not the bigger version the Interstate/Tourer model comes with.
Any thoughts on this?

[pokrovsky]

Funny you mention this today. Over this weekend I completed the retrofit of the Interstate tank to my 2003 CD and to my surprise was able to shove close to 7.5 gallons into the IS tank. Granted the tank was totally empty/dry and I filled it to the brim but nonetheless. This is in line with your observation of the Standard tank and I take it that the usable volume is close to the advertised capacity of 5.3 gal for the Standard/Tourer and 6.9 for the Interstate, the remaining volume of gas is trapped in the unusable voids somehow that is nearly impossible to suck with just the natural gravity drain design

Although in your case I think the delta is quite a bit larger, so I suggest you either recheck the volume of the gas can you used to refill the tank or the calibration of the gas station where you purchased the gas

[The emperor has no clothes]

I have a 2003 Valkyrie CD, California model.
I am rebuilding the OEM petcock so I had the drain the gas tank completely, and to my surprise, when everything was said and done I got close to six and a half gallons out of it.
Is that the total quantity of gas that it takes to fill the tank when the actual usable quantity is only 5.3 gallons?
I am the second owner and totally new to this bike, and I assume that what I have is the standard gas tank and not the bigger version the Interstate/Tourer model comes with.
Any thoughts on this?

I pretty sure you must have an Interstate tank. I’ve run my Standard nearly dry, and never got near that amount in it. Did you notice a plate with a wire coming off it ? Or a block off plate replacing that ?

[pokrovsky]

here is the side by side comparison of the standard and interstate tank on the bike:
first picture is OEM Standard tank

second picture is Interstate tank

[Willow]

That's too much for a Standard tank.  Honda does measure to a bit below the top of the tank but best efforts can only get about 1/2 gallon more than their number.

[Calboy]

When I drained the tank yesterday I filled up a 5 gal canister, a 1gal Reda can and half of a second Reda can, which translates to approximately 6.5 gallons.
There is no plate and no wire for the gas gauge unit. Only the vent nipple.
I believe that it is because of the way the tank is designed to sit on top of the chassis that creates spaces inside the tank that cannot be emptied by gravity alone. Just like  one of the members suggested.
I remember now having a similar discussion a long time ago about the same issue but on a different message board, about a different make and model motorcycle.
Anyway, I do thank you guys for replying.

[Calboy]

That's too much for a Standard tank.  Honda does measure to a bit below the top of the tank but best efforts can only get about 1/2 gallon more than their number.

I don't know what to make of this thing! I just don't.
It it a fact that when getting gas at the pump one cannot squeeze more than 1/3 to maybe 1/4 gallons more  than the 5.3 gal capacity. And to do that you have to take your time and do it very slowly, otherwise you'll make  a mess in no time.
I've had this bike for about three and a half months and it's still a mystery to me in certain respects.

[Calboy]

here is the side by side comparison of the standard and interstate tank on the bike:
first picture is OEM Standard tank

second picture is Interstate tank

I wonder if you could measure the bigger tank, I don't know exactly how, and give me the measurements?
Is it taller than standard? Is it wider? Is it both taller and wider?

[WintrSol]

I wonder if you could measure the bigger tank, I don't know exactly how, and give me the measurements?
Is it taller than standard? Is it wider? Is it both taller and wider?

If you look closely, you can see there is a bigger gap between the left grip and tank in the first picture, so, assuming the camera is in the same relative position, the IS tank is taller. It is also longer, which is harder to see, but is a known thing when it comes to seats. Width is likely more, too, but the photos don't show that - obviously.

[Red Diamond]

I wonder if you could measure the bigger tank, I don't know exactly how, and give me the measurements?
Is it taller than standard? Is it wider? Is it both taller and wider?

If you look closely, you can see there is a bigger gap between the left grip and tank in the first picture, so, assuming the camera is in the same relative position, the IS tank is taller. It is also longer, which is harder to see, but is a known thing when it comes to seats. Width is likely more, too, but the photos don't show that - obviously.

I beg to differ, the interstate tank is not longer, otherwise it could not be installed on any model except the interstate. All Valkyries are the same dimensionally. As far as the seat phenomenon, I have standard seats on all my bikes.

[Bighead]

I wonder if you could measure the bigger tank, I don't know exactly how, and give me the measurements?
Is it taller than standard? Is it wider? Is it both taller and wider?

If you look closely, you can see there is a bigger gap between the left grip and tank in the first picture, so, assuming the camera is in the same relative position, the IS tank is taller. It is also longer, which is harder to see, but is a known thing when it comes to seats. Width is likely more, too, but the photos don't show that - obviously.

I beg to differ, the interstate tank is not longer, otherwise it could not be installed on any model except the interstate. All Valkyries are the same dimensionally. As far as the seat phenomenon, I have standard seats on all my bikes.

You are correct the bolt holes are the same but the IS tank is taller front to back and it makes it harder to put a standard seat on it because the nose of the standard seat hits the tank on an IS but it will work. I had a standard mustang seat on my IS but was tight.

[pokrovsky]

Mustang seat is shorter and works equally good with standard and interstate. It’s nose is smaller. I’ll post a picture of it in a little bit

[pokrovsky]

Here is Mustang seat. Note how the “nose” of it is shorter and butts into the edge of the tank instead of crinkling like the stock seat does.
IS tank has a taller lip there

[Calboy]

I wonder if you could measure the bigger tank, I don't know exactly how, and give me the measurements?
Is it taller than standard? Is it wider? Is it both taller and wider?

If you look closely, you can see there is a bigger gap between the left grip and tank in the first picture, so, assuming the camera is in the same relative position, the IS tank is taller. It is also longer, which is harder to see, but is a known thing when it comes to seats. Width is likely more, too, but the photos don't show that - obviously.

I got it figured out. Thank you for taking the time to reply.

[Bighead]

Here is Mustang seat. Note how the “nose” of it is shorter and butts into the edge of the tank instead of crinkling like the stock seat does.
IS tank has a taller lip there

My mustang crinkled a bit at the tanks edge. Sold the bike so I cant take a pic to post of it

[Steel cowboy]

Another way to verify it it's a interstate or standard tank is to look under the tank for a sending unit. It will look like a square cover with a wire. Only interstate tanks have the sending unit.

[pokrovsky]

I wonder if you could measure the bigger tank, I don't know exactly how, and give me the measurements?
Is it taller than standard? Is it wider? Is it both taller and wider?

If you look closely, you can see there is a bigger gap between the left grip and tank in the first picture, so, assuming the camera is in the same relative position, the IS tank is taller. It is also longer, which is harder to see, but is a known thing when it comes to seats. Width is likely more, too, but the photos don't show that - obviously.

I got it figured out. Thank you for taking the time to reply.

So what's the verdict?

[Calboy]

I wonder if you could measure the bigger tank, I don't know exactly how, and give me the measurements?
Is it taller than standard? Is it wider? Is it both taller and wider?

If you look closely, you can see there is a bigger gap between the left grip and tank in the first picture, so, assuming the camera is in the same relative position, the IS tank is taller. It is also longer, which is harder to see, but is a known thing when it comes to seats. Width is likely more, too, but the photos don't show that - obviously.

I got it figured out. Thank you for taking the time to reply.

So what's the verdict?

Based on all readings I've done on the subject, including pictures of the standard and interstate gas tanks side by side, it appears that the standard version is what I have got. Not the mention the absence of the sensor for gas level.
When I put it together again and fill it up with gas I will be able to see if it takes what came out of it. Talking about usable gas...
And I'm still waiting for the rebuilt kit to arrive. Tomorrow at the latest, I hope!

[Gnarly]

Calboy,
I really believe after doing this simple free modification, I can squeeze nearly a third-gallon more gas into my I/S tank.
It's also nice not to hafta "tickle" the gas pump trigger to fill her up. Just pump it til it's full.
Takes on gas much easier now.

And the idea came from our VRCC member, MarkT. It's too simple NOT to do, IMO!
Here is a link.

http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/Burping_Brunhilda/burping_brunhilda.html