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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
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  #1  
Old 27 May 2009
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follow up

Please can you let us know what he says?

Whether there is a discount for multiple orders and the possibility to save on shipping costs?
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  #2  
Old 27 May 2009
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Fuel container.

Check this out as a cheaper alternative.
Army Issue Roll Up water Carrier from Surplus and Outdoors / Water Carriers
It's 20l with a couple of handles/tie down points.
Not meant to be a fuel carrier but it is petrol proof (did a 6 week storage test).
The tap isn't suited to petrol but can be easily blocked off.
Dave.
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  #3  
Old 27 May 2009
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Whereever I've needed extra fuel capacity I organised Coke bottles (whatever size you can get locally), 4 litre oil containers and even plastic milk cartons. Use them for that part of the journey and then bin them. IMHO, Coke bottles are the best: sturdy, leak proof tops, don't need a funnel to pour content into fuel tank and the nozzles at filling stations fit in the top.
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PS And they are free
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  #4  
Old 27 May 2009
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I went for an aux. tank for the reasons stated here:

https://sites.google.com/site/threew...d-improvements

One thing this does solve is if you sell the bike or want the weight off. Also, much cheaper than big plastic tanks from well known accessory shops. It is of course a permanant fixture even if empty.

In terms of back up bladders, the coffee idea probbably isn't that daft. For reasons of cleaning and ease of production, the plastics used in the coffee bladder are probably the same as those used for wine bags/boxes. As wine is fairly similar to petrol in terms of attacks on polymer structures, I'd expect one to last weeks rather than days. Still disposable rather than reusable. Same argument goes for coke/milk bottles too. If you do end up using this back up, wrapping in a black bin liner will slow any degredation even further by keeping UV out.

Plastic washer bottles off trucks offer another semi-permanant alternative.

Andy
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  #5  
Old 27 May 2009
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coke bottles

Yes, coke bottles are fantastic at storing fuel when needs must. Mainly because a) they don't leak and b) they're free.

They are also cylindrical, a pain to lash onto bikes securely and have to be filled individually at a painfully slow rate.
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  #6  
Old 27 May 2009
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I think big tank is the way to go, with some bottles/cans on the few extreme stretches.
Canisters and bladders is extra equipment that you have to take care of and the more seldom you use it the bigger is the risk that it fails when you use it.

Yes a big tank is expensive but why do you want to sell the bike after your trip? You can make it even better and use it for the next trip, and the next trip…..
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  #7  
Old 27 May 2009
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In europe it is illegal to transport fuel in anything other than an Approved Fuel container. These are, generally, the steel jerry can or a plastic can of either 5 or 10 lts.
Having a friend in the Insurance industry, I discovered that some insurance companies specifically state that petrol Must Not be carried in the boot of the car. You can just imagine what they would say if they discovered you were carrying petrol in a plastic bag on a bike...

My own personal view is that you would need to be nuts to consider such an option as a plan from the start....I would really have to be in a tight jam to consider...
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Old 27 May 2009
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Originally Posted by electric_monk View Post
In europe it is illegal to transport fuel in anything other than an Approved Fuel container. These are, generally, the steel jerry can or a plastic can of either 5 or 10 lts.
Having a friend in the Insurance industry, I discovered that some insurance companies specifically state that petrol Must Not be carried in the boot of the car. You can just imagine what they would say if they discovered you were carrying petrol in a plastic bag on a bike...

My own personal view is that you would need to be nuts to consider such an option as a plan from the start....I would really have to be in a tight jam to consider...

Where in Europe would you need a jerry can anyways?
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Old 27 May 2009
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Plastic jerry cans are what the locals use in these far flung places...and there's a reason. And if it makes you feel better...they're well tested by locals and by me.
I used 4 cans between Morocco and the US. 2 of them made it all the way...they other two were stolen. I didn't exactly lose sleep over that.

Pics...

dscn8559.jpg

new_crashbars.jpg

Plus, I'd rather give my $$s to a local bloke in Mauritania for a jerry can...than $150 for a bladder....that if it breaks, I'd still end up paying the local guy...

We don't need to prep too much before a trip...or else you'll worry about how much stuff costs when it breaks...try the local methods...its part of the adventure.
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Old 27 May 2009
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You're right - big tanks are the way forward but:
1) they're more expensive.
2) usually bulkier and heavier than standard
3) often require extra taps/management of the quantity of fuel in each side.
4) not realistic to take off if you need to lift a heavy bike up on your own.
5) spend most of the trip only half full because you just don't usually need that much range!
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  #11  
Old 27 May 2009
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not the point..

"My own personal view is that you would need to be nuts to consider such an option as a plan from the start....I would really have to be in a tight jam to consider..."

There aren't really aimed at people for Europe. Besides, if you need to use one you probably aren't going anywhere with nosey police or insurance agents...

This allows you to take on extra fuel when you really need it, at minimal cost, and without affecting the basic layout of your machine. This isn't strictly a plastic bag - it's a fuel bladder. Would F1 cars use 'plastic' bags to stop fuel leaks when tanks getting punctured? Yes they do.
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Old 27 May 2009
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Oh, I've just had an email from the Bennetts representative in the Congo.
He says I can put my fuel in whatever I like

(ignore the last comment)
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  #13  
Old 27 May 2009
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Originally Posted by edteamslr View Post
You're right - big tanks are the way forward but:
1) they're more expensive.
2) usually bulkier and heavier than standard
3) often require extra taps/management of the quantity of fuel in each side.
4) not realistic to take off if you need to lift a heavy bike up on your own.
5) spend most of the trip only half full because you just don't usually need that much range!
1) Yes but if you divide the price on 100kkms or more…
2) Not necessary heavier (my 43 liter tank is lighter then my 33 liter) and it carries the fuel lower then the original tank.
3) Is that a bad thing? You can double up with fuel filters, easier to fill your cooker etc.
4) If that’s a problem a bit of practice would help. I’m not athletic but I have no problems to lift up my bike with luggage and 43 liters of petrol.
5) I always fill my tank 100% but on average it’s half full :-)
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Old 27 May 2009
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1) 99% of bikes don't reach 100kkm. Divide by what? It's still more expensive
2) If you already had 33ltr you're in the wrong thread. I was thinking about bikes with half that!
3) I ride bikes not 747s. If I wanted to pump fuel around my bike I'd be in a different hobby
4) Lifting it up off the road in front of your house doesn't count
5) So you're always carrying twice as much fuel as you actually need?

Look, I'm only joking but I wanted to continue this thread to find out what sort of options are out there. I did the big bike/big tank thing and want to see if I could have more fun on lightweight thumper somewhere between here and siberia using something like this. I'll stop now..
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  #15  
Old 23 Jun 2009
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Originally Posted by edteamslr View Post
Yes, coke bottles are fantastic at storing fuel when needs must. Mainly because a) they don't leak and b) they're free.

They are also cylindrical, a pain to lash onto bikes securely and have to be filled individually at a painfully slow rate.
Have to disagree on Coke or similar bottles being a pain to lash securely to the bike. I put two 1.5 liter bottles in a sturdy plastic bag, knot the bag at end, and lash with a bungee between the bottles over the seat, or atop a soft bag on the seat.

Solid as a rock. Use the same technique for carrying two or even three bottles of water.

I definitely prefer Coke/water bottles for fuel when needed vs. a costly bladder thing that you're obliged to tote along even though you have no use for it 98% of the time.
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