Tourtank Installation

Purpose: Initially as a spare gas tank. I need to expand my potential range due to a couple of close calls while touring in Canada.

With suggestions I went to Tourtank. The price between the 2 gallon poly tank and the 3.5 gallon spun aluminum tank were minimal so I went with the larger tank. It makes it hard mountable and doubles as a backrest for the passenger. There's also potential for linking it into the fuel system.

I was going to have a rack custom made but the costs were a lot higher than just getting a sturdy luggage rack. I went with the sw-motech rack I bought through Twisted Throttle.

It arrived with simple instructions, four bolts and mounting rings, 6 washers, two brackets and the rack. I mounted the brackets loosely using three of the washers (I don't think I really needed it but what the heck :) ). Then I mounted the rack itself. Once it was all in place, I tightened it all down nice and snug. I also received the 3.5 gallon Tourtank and various parts (elbow, valve, hose, clamps, and locktite). Also are the two metal brackets and bolts. I put the associated parts on the tank. I put the brackets on the tank so I can get a measurement for the mounting plate I was going to have made. I drew up a rough plan and faxed it over to a local fabricator. In about 10 days the new mounting plate was done. Rita picked it up for me and I painted and thew a couple of important stickers on it :) I used three heavy duty bolts and mounted the plate to the luggage rack. I put the brackets loosly on the tank. Because the head of the middle bolt was just a tad high, I used two washers on each bolt between the bracket and the plate. It raised it just enough. I also put a couple of velcro straps on the back bolts to hold the fuel line in place. I tightened everything down and it's very very sturdy. I used the straps to organize the hose and it all looks very neat. I used one of Rita's seat cushions and a bungee net and created a backrest. The backrest isn't perfect. Rita needs a 90 degree angle for legs and back so she can be comfortable. I'm looking at a cushion that'll bring her knees up or perhaps more wooden 2x4's to bring her feet up :) Carl (I actually disassembled everything and put it all back together with pics since I doubt people really want to see tools being thrown and blood everywhere which is my standard way of working, unfortunately. I cut my fingers in three or four places including a nice slice in one finger that needed a nice sized bandaid.) Oh yea, and after a comment from someone on a bike last Thursday, I added a few stickers on Sunday. Sometimes you actually have to say it :D Carl