Curtis in Texas
Adventurer
Let's talk about how to pack a bike for an extended trip. I thought I’d add something I use, that might help ya’ll.
I’m always concerned when I see a gas can tied to a loaded bike. I worry about how does one know the gas cans are still secure and not leaking all over your bike and equipment?
On my rear panniers there was enough room behind the left rack to mount a Kolpin flat fuel tank. It only holds a gallon and a quarter, but on a KLR that’s another 50 miles.(46 mpg on mine when it’s loaded down.) ( I find that I will ride farther on reserve than I did before too!) The Kolpin Tank comes with its own mounting bracket that you can adapt to your rack.
A picture of it on it’s bracket with the bag removed.
Here as seen from the top with the pannier on.
And here what it looks like from the rear. (DISCLAIMER::These are early development pictures and I've changed the rear axle bolt so the nut is on the right side of the swing arm. And I've added a rear hoop for bracing. So don't bust my chops about them please!) It doesn’t add that much weight and since it’s mounted on a special bracket made for it, it stays there. I haven’t noticed the weight at all as its low on the bike. It can be refilled without removing it from the bike. If you look at my other post you can see it was on my KLR on my trip last week.
I’ve carried mine full of fuel for over a year now and pour it in the tank about every month. (It’s been a test to see if it will handle a future planned Alaska trip mounted there.) (So far, no problems.)
On our group rides to Arkansas the guys call me “The Tanker” because some of the guys ride TW’s and they sometimes run a little short on gas. When I’m along, they don’t worry about running out.
I typically get 300 miles to a tank full off the IMS and with the 50 + miles added range of the Kolpin I can go a lot farther than my butt can stand. Make a nice security for those side trips.
And I find it handy for bringing home fuel for the lawn mower.
Even stranded cagers give me funny looks when I pull over and tell them I have enough gas to get them to the next station.
Anyway, I thought I’d throw out this little idea in case some of you don’t know about the Kolpin ATV fuel tanks. It’s sure a lot safer, if nothing else.
I'm not affiliate with Kolpin, but do endorse any produce that will make my life (and yours) safer and easier.
Curtis in Texas
p.s. For you iron butt riders, you can use some marine fuel line disconnects and run a small electric fuel pump to transfer to the main tank through the breather tubing.
I’m always concerned when I see a gas can tied to a loaded bike. I worry about how does one know the gas cans are still secure and not leaking all over your bike and equipment?
On my rear panniers there was enough room behind the left rack to mount a Kolpin flat fuel tank. It only holds a gallon and a quarter, but on a KLR that’s another 50 miles.(46 mpg on mine when it’s loaded down.) ( I find that I will ride farther on reserve than I did before too!) The Kolpin Tank comes with its own mounting bracket that you can adapt to your rack.
A picture of it on it’s bracket with the bag removed.
Here as seen from the top with the pannier on.
And here what it looks like from the rear. (DISCLAIMER::These are early development pictures and I've changed the rear axle bolt so the nut is on the right side of the swing arm. And I've added a rear hoop for bracing. So don't bust my chops about them please!) It doesn’t add that much weight and since it’s mounted on a special bracket made for it, it stays there. I haven’t noticed the weight at all as its low on the bike. It can be refilled without removing it from the bike. If you look at my other post you can see it was on my KLR on my trip last week.
I’ve carried mine full of fuel for over a year now and pour it in the tank about every month. (It’s been a test to see if it will handle a future planned Alaska trip mounted there.) (So far, no problems.)
On our group rides to Arkansas the guys call me “The Tanker” because some of the guys ride TW’s and they sometimes run a little short on gas. When I’m along, they don’t worry about running out.
I typically get 300 miles to a tank full off the IMS and with the 50 + miles added range of the Kolpin I can go a lot farther than my butt can stand. Make a nice security for those side trips.
And I find it handy for bringing home fuel for the lawn mower.
Even stranded cagers give me funny looks when I pull over and tell them I have enough gas to get them to the next station.
Anyway, I thought I’d throw out this little idea in case some of you don’t know about the Kolpin ATV fuel tanks. It’s sure a lot safer, if nothing else.
I'm not affiliate with Kolpin, but do endorse any produce that will make my life (and yours) safer and easier.
Curtis in Texas
p.s. For you iron butt riders, you can use some marine fuel line disconnects and run a small electric fuel pump to transfer to the main tank through the breather tubing.
