Whitehouse tank and fuel indication / range

[tommymck]

In theory, the Whitehouse tank only has half-a-gallon edge on the stock 2017 tank. I've run through a couple of tank-fulls now with the new tank though, and I'll be darned if I don't get 70 miles more per-tank. The mileage of course has to be the same (my riding hasn't changed). The only explanation I can think of is that I got the vintage cap with the tank. When you remove the cap, there isn't anything but a big hole. Fill it up as much as you're willing. Of the two fill-ups, the max was 4.72 gallons (in theory, more than the tank holds....and there was still a good bit of gas in the bottom of the tank...)

A side benefit of the vintage cap is that you can just remove the cap and see into the tank and get a visual feel for how much gas you have left.

Leads me to believe that a bunch of gas is left at the pump when filling up with the stock tank. It's actually not a big deal for me since I'm usually ready to stop before the bike is, even with the stock tank.

The other interesting thing is that the fuel gauge of course isn't calibrated for the larger tank. So, you ride about 90 miles before you see the first bar drop off of the fuel indication. From then on, it seems pretty linear and accurate as to fuel remaining.

The cost of the tank can only be justified by the looks (and even then...but for me it was worth it...) But the extra range is nice to have in a pinch...

Filling it to the top hasn't resulted in any overflow issues so far, for what it's worth....

 

[the Ferret]

Good info

This is that red tank right, that you were having trouble with the gas guage? Did I miss a pic of it mounted up someplace?

 

[tommymck]

Good info

This is that red tank right, that you were having trouble with the gas guage? Did I miss a pic of it mounted up someplace?

Yep. Was having toouble removing the fuel line "quick" disconnect. Got the fuel line sorted out with a little patience. Very non-obvious until you figure out what's going on, then very obvious.

Another advantage, for me anyway, is that I find that I get along better with no knee cutout for the tank. It's much more comfortable for me on longer rides.

The only other consideration is that as you can see from the pictures, the stock seat isn't cut to fit. It scrunches up a bit in front. The seat has adjusted itself a bit, but I'm a stickler for details. In addition to the hard-to-justify cost of the tank, I now have a custom seat on the way that matches the tank dimensions....

 

[the Ferret]

Oh yea, that looks really good! Congrats

 

[tommymck]

Thanks!

I've become convinced that there was a bunch of unusable fuel in the stock tank (2017 at least...) I'm at 202 miles on this tank-full and still have 2 bars and plenty of visible fuel left when I look in. Or, maybe it's just that the fuel gauge, when in the stock tank. read empty early? I do know that when I removed the fuel pump / gauge / float from the stock tank and tried to drain the fuel out of the bottom opening, it took a ton of effort to get the fuel out. It seemed that there were lots of nooks and crannies for the fuel to hid in.

For my riding, 165 miles is as good as 250 miles so far as range is concerned. The interesting thing though is that once the first 90 or so miles tick off, the fuel gauge seems linear all the way down to zero. I'd have thought that it would be non-linear given the different tank shapes....

 

[jtopiso_imp]

Thanks!

I've become convinced that there was a bunch of unusable fuel in the stock tank (2017 at least...) I'm at 202 miles on this tank-full and still have 2 bars and plenty of visible fuel left when I look in. Or, maybe it's just that the fuel gauge, when in the stock tank. read empty early? I do know that when I removed the fuel pump / gauge / float from the stock tank and tried to drain the fuel out of the bottom opening, it took a ton of effort to get the fuel out. It seemed that there were lots of nooks and crannies for the fuel to hid in.

For my riding, 165 miles is as good as 250 miles so far as range is concerned. The interesting thing though is that once the first 90 or so miles tick off, the fuel gauge seems linear all the way down to zero. I'd have thought that it would be non-linear given the different tank shapes....

I have done 260km on my last tank. Fuel range indicated 25km left. I filled up to the top plate in the filler neck, and only 13 liters went in.

So I see several options:
a- '17 tank is not as big as advertised
b- not all fuel in the tank can be used
c- fuel gauge/range indicator is VERY conservative.

I will keep using it as if it was a or b, so the chances of me pushing the bike will be lower, but I assume c is the right answer

 

[Cormanus]

noroomtomove—who uses less fuel than anyone I know— has got just over 300 kms on a tank of fuel. He has the original 14.6 litre tank. My average fuel consumption would theoretically allow me to travel around 275 kms. The furthest I've gone is 255 kms after which I put in 12.9 litres meaning I had 1.7 litres or 33 kms left. I don't want to find out if that's right!

 

[beardyweirdy@me.com_imp]

Thanks!

I've become convinced that there was a bunch of unusable fuel in the stock tank (2017 at least...) I'm at 202 miles on this tank-full and still have 2 bars and plenty of visible fuel left when I look in. Or, maybe it's just that the fuel gauge, when in the stock tank. read empty early? I do know that when I removed the fuel pump / gauge / float from the stock tank and tried to drain the fuel out of the bottom opening, it took a ton of effort to get the fuel out. It seemed that there were lots of nooks and crannies for the fuel to hid in.

For my riding, 165 miles is as good as 250 miles so far as range is concerned. The interesting thing though is that once the first 90 or so miles tick off, the fuel gauge seems linear all the way down to zero. I'd have thought that it would be non-linear given the different tank shapes....

Hey Tommy,
I think your right about the top of your K10 Tank.
I have a K10 tank with the stock petrol cap and it's usually about 50ish miles till the first bar disappears. From then on it's reduced but quite linear, as you say.
The neck of the filler is really long and I often over fill it, with no major leaks. That said I did brim it once, and I mean to the brim, and fuel pissed out of the overflow... to be expected really!