I'm looking for a larger tank for my XR650L, and I'm puzzled why an Acerbis tank on Ebay fits only the 1993-1996 models, when the other tanks fit just about everything.

Can anyone shed any light on this?
The Ebay item I was looking at is 250164457360 on ebay.com

It looks good, it's cheap, and it seems to be an option other folks have had some success with..
Or can you recommend an alternative?

Many thanks

I don't really know what Honda did to the XRL in the late nineties, but the frame seems to have got a little wider at the top of the rear shock. as a consequence, the 40 litre tank slightly fouls the frame on later models. several of us had the tank modified on 2003/04 models to give enough clearance - this involved heating the thermoset plastic hot enough to deform, but not burn it. I don't recommend trying this yourself!

I gather you should be fine with tolerances on the 22 litre tank.

Pan-Med 2004

I used the 26 (24?) litre Acerbis tank, with no probs. I think the one I used was from an earlier model but my bike was a 2000 model.

__________________
=-=-= ON THE EDGE! =-=-=
My XR650L Pan-Med Expedition Site!

Cheers for your input folks.
I've now got the tank mounted, and sufficiently unashamed with the job I did, I thought I'd have a go at posting some photos.

The mounting kit that comes with the tank is laughably low quality, and the intended mount setup is shocking.
I went for a different approach, and time will tell if it was a good idea or not.

Photos should explain, but here's what I did...

1-Used 4 1/2" angle grinder to remove elephant ears from frame
2-Cut, punched and folded 3mm stainless plate to mimic acerbis provided plate, but posn tank 15mm further back to prevent foul of triple clamps on tank
3-Cut replacement indicator brackets from Ali angle to prevent indicators fouling tank
4-Cut about 5mm from each of the noggins that hold the rubber bungs under the tank (as mentioned above, tank is a ver tight fit over these)
5-Machined 2 (handed) ali blocks that fit round frame, where ears used to be, allowing oil tube and elec cable to pass through
6-Templated relationship between 3 tapped holes in each side of the tank, and the 8.5mm holes in my clamps.
7-Cut this template into 4mm Ali sheet
8-Bolt this lot together with a bit if old inner tube to cushion where required, and a few spacers round the clamp
9-Drill a couple of holes in the RH plate, to re-locate the reg/rect.

I think that was about it, if anyone wants more info, I'd be more than happy to help.
I've got a couple of the rear tank brackets if anyone wants, and I can make up more ali clamp blocks if there's a need.

Well done!looks clean and secure.
What is your next move?pannier rack?or some other improuvments?
keep us updated.
Karl

__________________
http://vientoderipio.blogspot.com/
America is a nice continent,not a country.All people who lives in this continent are americans.Discover it in peace!

Thanks for the encouragement!

I've got a list of future mods as long as my arm, but next to tick off is a new exhaust, and jet kit, that I'm hoping may give the old girl a bit more poke.
Stock, this bike's got to be the most underpowered 600cc+ bike in production!?
Maybe accounts for the reliability..

After this, looking forward to custom pannier and rack fabrication. Likely to be a major undertaking I think.

What did you do to yours? Any suggestions or advice?
Were you carrying much weight on yours?