New cell is installed - Big thanks!

[Bionic Pelvis]

Hey y'all -

I just wanted to give a big THANK YOU to everyone in this forum for sharing their opinions, feedback, and experiences with regards to their fuel cells. After more than a year of serious hemming and hawing, weighing all your input, etc, etc, I finally decided to go with a Sampson cell. I know, I know, most people are big fans of the BLM cell, but I also had a lot of very positive reviews on the Sampson. It really came down to a few major factors:

1) I find the Sampson more aesthetically pleasing

2) It allows more freedom of movement. It doesn't affect my ability to get on or off the bike, and when I'm in the saddle I don't even know it's there.

3) It was evident that either cell would require some modifications to be exactly right for me. The Sampson cell is fabricated just a few hours from my abode, so working out exactly what I wanted and riding in for a final fitting was a leisurely day trip.

The primary change is that I had them expand the capacity to about 4.6 gallons, erring a bit on the side of caution but still getting much closer to the 11.5 gallon rally limit. Installation was a breeze, and I can honestly say that was due to the outstanding pictures and reports that everyone has posted. Drilling the bulkhead fitting was a piece of cake (thanks for the pics Smitty); I was far more traumatized by having to partially dismantle my Russell Day-Long to install a seat latch shim. That worked out fine, too, and I'm thrilled with the result. Its a clean, solid, leak-free installation. Behold:

And on another note, there's this:

I know, I'm a little embarassed that it's taken me 4-1/2 years to hit 100k, but in my defense I also have nearly 120k on my FZ1.

I've been super busy lately and haven't had much time for forum action, but I had to make time for this. This project could have gone wrong in so many ways if everyone wasn't so willing to share their expertise (and equally as important, their mistakes), so once again, a million thanks! :clapping: :wub:

 

[user 213]

Nice! On both the cell and the odo. You're making me embarrassed that I only have 122k on my '04. :lol:

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

Very nice!

 

[eeksnake]

Congrats on the install and milestone! :clapping:

...I was far more traumatized by having to partially dismantle my Russell Day-Long to install a seat latch shim. That worked out fine, too, and I'm thrilled with the result...

Would you mind elaborating a bit more on how you dealt with the seat latch? Maybe a pic?

I'm having a similar issue with my tank install and would like to do something different than what Don did. Link

 

[Bionic Pelvis]

I don't have any pics at the moment - I'm actually sitting at the Cal24 starting line, ready to give my new toy it's first official shake-down. What I had to do on the seat was drill out the two rivets that hold the latch in place, then undo some of the seat leather at the rear and create a space so I could pull the old rivets out and fit some new goodies in. I weaseled a couple screws through from the inside, then fit a spacer shim on, followed by the old latch. It basically just spaced out the latch 1/8" or so in order for it to catch with the tank installed.

I'll snap a few pics and post them after the rally; I hope that makes sense in the mean time!

 

[dcarver]

Congrats on the nice install!

Even the CBA doode endorses aux tanks :lol:

 

[Hello Kitty]

Excellent Wendy! Hope you had fun at the Cal 24!

 

[eeksnake]

I don't have any pics at the moment - I'm actually sitting at the Cal24 starting line, ready to give my new toy it's first official shake-down...

Thanks for taking the time to post an explanation. Yes, it was crystal clear.

Like Kitty, I hope you had fun during the Cal24.

 

[mehaffydr]

Linda T can make a really nice cover with pockets for that. I found it to be very nice extra storage when I had my Sampson.

 

[Patriot]

Nice! On both the cell and the odo. You're making me embarrassed that I only have 122k on my '04. :lol:

and 120k on his back tire :yahoo:

 

[Khunajawdge]

I guess? I just don't get the need for an AUX tank. My bladder can't hold for over 400 miles, sides the fact that I need to stand up and stretch before then. Also, I'm rarely in a rush against time.

Nice install though, and good to know there are experts around with experience if I ever get my bladder fixed. :blink:

 

[Patriot]

I guess? I just don't get the need for an AUX tank. My bladder can't hold for over 400 miles, sides the fact that I need to stand up and stretch before then. Also, I'm rarely in a rush against time.
Nice install though, and good to know there are experts around with experience if I ever get my bladder fixed. :blink:

well prepared LD riders have four "needs" and answers for each:

1) comfortable *** -> Russel Seat

2) stay hydrated -> insulated thermos on a passenger peg with straw hose to mouth/helmet

3) relief from hydration -> fighter pilot "plug in" with urine collector on other passenger peg

4) auxilary fuel

 

[dustyrains]

I guess? I just don't get the need for an AUX tank. My bladder can't hold for over 400 miles, sides the fact that I need to stand up and stretch before then. Also, I'm rarely in a rush against time.
Nice install though, and good to know there are experts around with experience if I ever get my bladder fixed. :blink:

well prepared LD riders have four "needs" and answers for each:

1) comfortable *** -> Russel Seat

2) stay hydrated -> insulated thermos on a passenger peg with straw hose to mouth/helmet

3) relief from hydration -> fighter pilot "plug in" with urine collector on other passenger peg

4) auxilary fuel

Are you speaking of a condom catheter here?

 

[Bionic Pelvis]

Alrighty, here are the goods:

And for those of you who are interested in laughing at my idiocy and self-inflicted mental anguish,

here is a link to my Cal24 Ride Report:

https://www.beyondthegarage.com/cal24.html

 

[Bionic Pelvis]

Linda T can make a really nice cover with pockets for that. I found it to be very nice extra storage when I had my Sampson.

Are you kidding?!? I had pictures and measurements off to LindaT before I even finished installing it! I briefly had visions of making my own cover, which included scenes of broken sewing machines, scissor-related trips to the hospital, and a staggeringly expensive, yet virtually useless, finished product. I will definitely be deferring to the professional on this one. I can't wait!

 

[Patriot]

I guess? I just don't get the need for an AUX tank. My bladder can't hold for over 400 miles, sides the fact that I need to stand up and stretch before then. Also, I'm rarely in a rush against time.
Nice install though, and good to know there are experts around with experience if I ever get my bladder fixed. :blink:

well prepared LD riders have four "needs" and answers for each:

1) comfortable *** -> Russel Seat

2) stay hydrated -> insulated thermos on a passenger peg with straw hose to mouth/helmet

3) relief from hydration -> fighter pilot "plug in" with urine collector on other passenger peg

4) auxilary fuel

Are you speaking of a condom catheter here?

yep

Stadium Pal

 

[eeksnake]

Alrighty, here are the goods:

And for those of you who are interested in laughing at my idiocy and self-inflicted mental anguish,

here is a link to my Cal24 Ride Report:

https://www.beyondthegarage.com/cal24.html

Thanks for posting the pic.

Congrats on your 6th place finish in the Cal 24! :clapping:

(Good to know that us "shade tree mechanics" aren't the only ones who turn 10 minute simple fixes into 5 hour torture sessions!)

 

[mehaffydr]

Linda T can make a really nice cover with pockets for that. I found it to be very nice extra storage when I had my Sampson.

Are you kidding?!? I had pictures and measurements off to LindaT before I even finished installing it! I briefly had visions of making my own cover, which included scenes of broken sewing machines, scissor-related trips to the hospital, and a staggeringly expensive, yet virtually useless, finished product. I will definitely be deferring to the professional on this one. I can't wait!

She should have all the info She made one for me when I had the Sampson. There are pictures of it on her website in the Yamaha section. I did have one issue with the Cover. I had her put a pocket on the front but it came down to low and it got caught up on the back of the seat. other than that it was Great.

You can see it in this picture.

 

[Bionic Pelvis]

I had this cell expanded to a greater volume, so the dimensions aren't the same. (I did reference your gallery pic when I was talking to LindaT about mine though!) I'm also envisioning some cool weighted flaps that will cover the sides of the under-tank area but still leave it easily accessible for storage. It's going to take a while, but I'm sure it'll turn out great!