Tourer to Interstate Fuel Tank Swap

[jmann]

I picked up an interstate fuel tank today for $200. It's black like my tourers and short of a couple small nicks it's in great shape with no dents, dings or anything. The inside appears to be rust free. The only rust I see is on the arm of the fuel sending unit and it really doesn't look bad at all. The reason for the post is I am wanting to know if there is anything I should do prior to installing to insure the integrity of the tank (leak test?) and should I remove and inspect the fuel gauge sending unit. Is there an after market fuel gauge that I can use with the factory sending unit so that I would now have a fuel gauge? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

John

[Farther]

A good and rare find!

[AZdougness]

As far as the gauge goes I am unsure, however I would consider coating the inside of the fuel tank to protect your investment. DRay made a great video with instructions on how to do it.

Pt.2 1998 Honda GL1500C Valkyrie Project - How To Repair A Rusty Fuel Tank	powered by Aeva

[ricoman]

I picked up an interstate fuel tank today for $200. It's black like my tourers and short of a couple small nicks it's in great shape with no dents, dings or anything. The inside appears to be rust free. The only rust I see is on the arm of the fuel sending unit and it really doesn't look bad at all. The reason for the post is I am wanting to know if there is anything I should do prior to installing to insure the integrity of the tank (leak test?) and should I remove and inspect the fuel gauge sending unit. Is there an after market fuel gauge that I can use with the factory sending unit so that I would now have a fuel gauge? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

John

if it's clean inside, don't fool with it-nothing is better than stock metal for the tank, coatings work but  as a last resort
checking the sending unit is a good idea
do a search, for "motosens" they have (or had) some really nice gauges
many here have them
I'm thinking 200 bucks was a very good deal

[KSDragonRider]

I have heard of several of these coatings starting to peal after a number of years, then causing more problems than you had originally...

[jmann]

Thanks for the inputs. I had read previous threads and the tank coating I think would be a measure of last resort. The inside looks too good. I'm in arizona so moisture is not an issue. I am going to fill it up and just check for leaks. I am not anticapting any though. I checked Motosens and they no longer are in business. I may or may not pursue the fuel gauge depending on what I find and the price. I have been without one my whole life. I ride by the odometer. 

[John Schmidt]

I've had a fuel gauge from Autometer for at least 8 yrs., it's programmable. Not cheap but very reliable. I'd suggest before installing the tank that you put a new connector on the sender wires. Then on the other half of the connector, add a couple feet of wiring and just coil it up so you can reach it real easy when you do decide on a guage. That way you don't have to pull the tank again to do any wiring. At least that's what I did, saves a few headaches later.

[jmann]

John, what autometer gauge do you use? I saw on a previous post you said you used a C2 gas gauge but they have several. Could you point me to the right one. Thank you sir. 

[tank_post142]

here's another option so you can use a $30 fuel gauge. no problems in a year of hard riding.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,35073.0.html

[John Schmidt]

John, what autometer gauge do you use? I saw on a previous post you said you used a C2 gas gauge but they have several. Could you point me to the right one. Thank you sir. 

This is the fuel gauge I've had on my bike for at least 8 yrs., probably longer. I got the I/S tank shortly after I got the bike(over 10 yrs. ago) and added the gauge a couple months later. The blue LED back lighting is kinda neat, at night especially. I added a couple license plate mounting bolts with blues LED's in them so they would light up the large gauges.



http://autometer.com/cat_gaugedetail.aspx?gid=2493&sid=2

[cef2lion]

When I was putting the IS tank on my STD I had talked with someone at MOTOSENS.

http://www.motosens.com/usa/f6c_e.htm

Note from this page: The Fuel Gauge 94-3 Ohms matches to the Sensor in the Interstate Fuel Tank.

[tank_post142]

Motosens is out of bussiness

[BonS]

I just received my Motosens order today from Germany. They have indeed quit making the gauges but have some, limited, stock remaining. I ordered directly through the Canadian company SystronInc.com. Better hurry if you want one.