Interstate vs. Tourer tank compared.

[MarkT]

Just finished the IS tank install on Jade.  Just for grins I compared the tanks from several angles.  I conclude there is little difference in the horizontal dimensions.  The majority of the additional 1.6gal capacity of the IS tank is from it's greater height.  The upper section of the tank from the tunnel top to the tank top is just under 3" on the IS tank.  It's about 1.75" on the Tourer.  You can use Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro or the like to manipulate these pics and use the included level with scale and tape, to make close comparisons that I didn't.  I had to rotate my bars up a bit to add clearance from the top of the IS tank.  Other than that, the install was a simple swapout, much easier than the initial work required to change the Tourer to support the belly tank install using my modified approach. Now I have about 9.6gal of usable fuel - haven't measured the deliverable fuel from this new tank yet.  The belly tank has 344oz of usable fuel.  I will soon measure what the reserve is with a Pingle on this tank.
















Here's the brazed-in bung for the filler line to the BT.  BTW - this can be brazed with GAS IN THE TANK.  You have to displace the air inside with extinguishing gas.  I used argon/CO2 for 5 minutes before, then during use of an oxy-acetylene torch after draining most of the gas but there was still a pint in there.  The fumes would ignite at the bung opening but impossible inside.  Kinda scary, you just have to have faith in the physics and be sure you don't FUBAR.

[_Sheffjs_]

Are you going to have a gas gauge, if so what did you choose please. 

[98valk]

I/S tank rating of 6.9 gal is only 12.8 ounces less than 7 gal. I have put 7 gals in my I/S tank many times, when I will be riding for some miles right after fill up.

6.9 gals of fuel weighs 41.903 lbs. Did Honda what to keep it under 42 lbs for some reason?

[GiG]

6.9 gals of fuel weighs 41.903 lbs. Did Honda what to keep it under 42 lbs for some reason?

Of course. Absolutely.
Everyone knows 42 lbs of gasoline is required to melt structural steel. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

6.9 gals of fuel weighs 41.903 lbs. Did Honda what to keep it under 42 lbs for some reason?

Of course. Absolutely.
Everyone knows 42 lbs of gasoline is required to melt structural steel. 

[F6BANGER]

All that means nothing without a pic of the new tank on Jade. Lets see her.

[98valk]

6.9 gals of fuel weighs 41.903 lbs. Did Honda what to keep it under 42 lbs for some reason?

Of course. Absolutely.
Everyone knows 42 lbs of gasoline is required to melt structural steel. 

that would have to be JP-5 not gasoline.  JP-6 for a Valkyrie.

[Rams]

The I/S tank is just a tad bit longer also.   Most folks won't know if you don't tell them.   

At least that's the way it was on my last Fat Lady.   This new one will get a similar swap but, won't be adding the belly tank this time.   BTW, nice paint pattern.   My new I/S tank paint is very similar to the way yours turned out.  Some day we'll have to compare the two.   

Rams

[The emperor has no clothes]

The I/S tank is just a tad bit longer also.   Most folks won't know if you don't tell them.   

At least that's the way it was on my last Fat Lady.   This new one will get a similar swap but, won't be adding the belly tank this time.   BTW, nice paint pattern.   My new I/S tank paint is very similar to the way yours turned out.  Some day we'll have to compare the two.   

Rams

I don't think they are longer. They mount in the exact same holes. The I/S tank does rise up a little more in the back.

[Pappy!]

I got a kick out of Jerry's gas gauge question! No offense intended of course.
Who the Hell needs a gauge with 9.6 gallons is what I was thinking when I read it!
I would be so "butt sprung" at that point I would be doing a happy dance just to stop and put more gas in.

[Rams]

The I/S tank is just a tad bit longer also.   Most folks won't know if you don't tell them.   

At least that's the way it was on my last Fat Lady.   This new one will get a similar swap but, won't be adding the belly tank this time.   BTW, nice paint pattern.   My new I/S tank paint is very similar to the way yours turned out.  Some day we'll have to compare the two.   

Rams

I don't think they are longer. They mount in the exact same holes. The I/S tank does rise up a little more in the back.

The shape of the tank is slightly different in the rear.   Yes, the mounting points are the same.   That does not mean the tank is the same length.   I am currently using my old Ultimate seat that I had with my last I/S tank, with the Standard/Tourer tank there is about a 1/2 inch gap between the tank and the seat.   That gap was not there with the I/S tank.   There is a difference.

[The emperor has no clothes]

The I/S tank is just a tad bit longer also.   Most folks won't know if you don't tell them.   

At least that's the way it was on my last Fat Lady.   This new one will get a similar swap but, won't be adding the belly tank this time.   BTW, nice paint pattern.   My new I/S tank paint is very similar to the way yours turned out.  Some day we'll have to compare the two.   

Rams

I don't think they are longer. They mount in the exact same holes. The I/S tank does rise up a little more in the back.

The shape of the tank is slightly different in the rear.   Yes, the mounting points are the same.   That does not mean the tank is the same length.   I am currently using my old Ultimate seat that I had with my last I/S tank, with the Standard/Tourer tank there is about a 1/2 inch gap between the tank and the seat.   That gap was not there with the I/S tank.   There is a difference.

I guess we just have a difference in terminology.

[Rams]

The I/S tank is just a tad bit longer also.   Most folks won't know if you don't tell them.   

At least that's the way it was on my last Fat Lady.   This new one will get a similar swap but, won't be adding the belly tank this time.   BTW, nice paint pattern.   My new I/S tank paint is very similar to the way yours turned out.  Some day we'll have to compare the two.   

Rams

I don't think they are longer. They mount in the exact same holes. The I/S tank does rise up a little more in the back.

The shape of the tank is slightly different in the rear.   Yes, the mounting points are the same.   That does not mean the tank is the same length.   I am currently using my old Ultimate seat that I had with my last I/S tank, with the Standard/Tourer tank there is about a 1/2 inch gap between the tank and the seat.   That gap was not there with the I/S tank.   There is a difference.

I guess we just have a difference in terminology.

Or, you found what you thought was an opportunity and took it.
Perspective, it's all about perspective.

Rams

[MarkT]

Doesn't LOOK very different.  Handlebars a cpl inches up, slightly different paint pattern, tank center slightly higher and the velcro gone.  But huge range now, about 326 miles to the fumes sans trailer.  Now it's REALLY an oiler ship / rolling gas station.

Not adding a gas gauge.  Don't need it; always reset the trip odo on a refuel anyway; have the Pingel reserve if I run it that far before refueling; always check the current mpg at ea stop which can vary a lot depending on conditions, riding style and whether towing.  Even before the IS tank if riding with others I am never the one who NEEDS to stop for fuel - never a concern for me.  I generally pump up the BT fuel after there's enough space in the upper given the last mpg calc.  Now likely not going to bother; not likely to need the super-reserve unless pulling the Timeout which can seriously reduce mileage.  I installed the sending unit in Deerslayer just to plug the hole but never hooked it up to a gauge.

[Willow]

Or, you found what you thought was an opportunity and took it.
Perspective, it's all about perspective.

Actually, I too hold that they are the same length.  The sharp rather than shallow rise from the rear creates the gap.

I didn't bother posting my disagreement as it was already addressed.  I own both Standard and Interstate tanks and saddles.

I too found it amusing that someone would question whether a fuel gauge would be added for about ten gallons of fuel.  Even if one thought one needed it it would only measure what's in the top seven.

[bikerboy1951]

I mounted an Interstate tank on my '01 standard.  I did not have to adjust my handlebars in any way or do anything else to achieve clearance.  If you look on the handlebar you will see a little dot (same on the handlebar by the clutch and brake reservoirs ) which is meant to line up with the split in the handlebar clamp.  That is the position that Honda determined was the correct position for these items.  Of course, that gives you the option to do whatever you want for comfort, etc.

Brad

[Rams]

Or, you found what you thought was an opportunity and took it.
Perspective, it's all about perspective.

Actually, I too hold that they are the same length.  The sharp rather than shallow rise from the rear creates the gap.

This, I can agree with.

Rams

[MarkT]

I mounted an Interstate tank on my '01 standard.  I did not have to adjust my handlebars in any way or do anything else to achieve clearance.  If you look on the handlebar you will see a little dot (same on the handlebar by the clutch and brake reservoirs ) which is meant to line up with the split in the handlebar clamp.  That is the position that Honda determined was the correct position for these items.  Of course, that gives you the option to do whatever you want for comfort, etc.

Brad

First off, Jade doesn't have a "handlebar clamp" - has 9" pullback Harley risers.  Honda can determine the "correct position" all they want and you can elect to observe that or not.  I elected to not and have a LOT of mods on this bike for comfort, convenience and safety.  I needed the bars moved back and rotated down for my comfort and to deal with carpal tunnel which now needed to be moved up a bit for drinkholder clearance for the higher gas cap.  That drinkholder in the center, riveted in place to the handlebar as it would twist down, hit Clint's gas cap cover until I moved the bars back up a little.

[MarkT]

6.9 gals of fuel weighs 41.903 lbs. Did Honda what to keep it under 42 lbs for some reason?

Of course. Absolutely.
Everyone knows 42 lbs of gasoline is required to melt structural steel. 

that would have to be JP-5 not gasoline.  JP-6 for a Valkyrie.

Boy am I OLD.  It was JP4 when  I worked for Uncle Sugar.

[_Sheffjs_]

Willow and Pappy.  I am in the middle of a project, actually one I am enjoying because I am not spending any of my money.  The project starts with an IS tank and follows with another four thousand dollars wired to our account.  Our very close Norwegian friends have a Orange/Black that is getting the business this winter, the parts are being painted by the same painter that shot both my Drifters and he is top notch! So it was easier to get the needed items here in the states and give it the paint and then it will go over in a shipping container with only motorcycles and motorcycle parts, keeping the shipping cost down quite a bit, and overall cost when thinking of the cost of these items and availability there.  Our Friends are serious long distance riders with Raymond on a wing and Lill-Hege on the Valkyrie.  One of their trips was deep into Finmark near the Russian border, they did not have issue with gas stations but are ready for the IS tank and peace of mind.  She would also like a gauge. Chide me if you want but some like gauges and if anyone has a gauge suggestion it would help.   Sherry and I spent a month this summer in Sweden and Norway and I rode seven different bikes friends have lent us,  Two Valks, two Wings, two Drifters and a new BMW 1250.  So seeing the post is about IS tanks I figured it would not hurt to ask.    .  Also note Lill-Hege normally has a trailer as well. She is a hoot! 

[_Sheffjs_]

Or, you found what you thought was an opportunity and took it.
Perspective, it's all about perspective.

Actually, I too hold that they are the same length.  The sharp rather than shallow rise from the rear creates the gap.

I didn't bother posting my disagreement as it was already addressed.  I own both Standard and Interstate tanks and saddles.

I too found it amusing that someone would question whether a fuel gauge would be added for about ten gallons of fuel.  Even if one thought one needed it it would only measure what's in the top seven.

Well willow does have a good point some of us non belly tanksters don't consider.  

[Jess from VA]

Not Willow or Pappy, but it seems that an IS sending unit would be a good idea (being designed for the tank and all).  The gauge, I don't know.  Except I recall reading that most aftermarket gauges have to have the wires reversed from the IS sending unit to make the aftermarket gauge read accurately.

Otherwise, I guess it reads from empty to full during the ride, which would not seem that useful.

I have two interstates with gauges, and I still reset one trip meter at every fill-up.  And I always reset the other trip meter when switching to reserve (at which point the gauge is useless except for 32-37 odd miles of the flashy flashy thing).

[flsix]

Jerry is that a ramp to launch the Valk into the fjord?

[_Sheffjs_]

Jerry is that a ramp to launch the Valk into the fjord?

Not sure to the water but Knievel's X-2 maybe.  We would have enough run to make one less Valk and rider that is for sure.