Poll - Group Buy for Fuel Cell system for all model year FJR's?

[chickey191]

Skyway -

I would definitely be interested at that price. A cover and capacity for hydration system would be the nuts. I wouldn't care if the back seat had to be removed for the cell however this would mean that it would have to be relatively water resistant to rain leaving puddles under the seat. That might allow you to mount it low enough. Easy remove would be a huge plus.

I have resisted a fuel cell for this bike, but traveling through NV as much as I do - especially at night, it would be a boon to have the additional capacity - even if it didn't hit 11.5 gallons. I'd be happy with an additional 3 gallons or round it up to an even 10 (keeps the math simple). that would be 10 USABLE gallons. don't forget to allow for a quick and easy fuel filter replacement. Once you have a fuel filter that is easy to see... it isn't too long till you see a need for replacing it.

One of Linda's covers would be an awesome compliment.

 

[FJamR]

Mark me down for one. Can't wait to see some pics!

 

[kaitsdad]

Uh Oh. Candy Butt Association founding member #1 is IN.
Now, where do I send my CBA penalty check to? :dribble:

Oh, silly me, to some dude in Sonora, of course!

Hey, dcarver,

You don't have to hook it up. Just leave off the filler cap, and don't worry about the tank plumbing. Then your CBA #1 membership won't be in question.

 

[skyway]

Ian-I'm curious about your thoughts on fuel cell attachment and underseat access. Will you be setting the tank up a distance above the passenger seat for seat removal and access? Or, tank mounted to the seat pan? Or, seperate rack mounted to the passenger seat attachment mechanism?

If I can get under the riders seat quickly, count me in

The cell is currently being designed to be mounted with the passenger seat removed. I looked long and hard at a bracket system that would allow the seat to be left in position, but in the end gave up this direction, due to the complexity of the bracket (think more $$$ here) and close proximity with the side bag latches.

Even if the seat could be left in place, I was also concerned about the mounting height of the cell to still allow easy removal and installation of the passenger seat.

 

[skyway]

Skyway - I wouldn't care if the back seat had to be removed for the cell however this would mean that it would have to be relatively water resistant to rain leaving puddles under the seat.

Chuck, I'm planning on having side panels around the base of the cell mount. I'm not sure yet how completely water resistant they will be. So I'm also considering machining O-ring grooves in the cell mount along the top edges of all side panels to butt up against them.

Easy remove would be a huge plus.

It will probably be 4-6 bolts for the cell mount and 4 bolts to remove the cell from it.

don't forget to allow for a quick and easy fuel filter replacement. Once you have a fuel filter that is easy to see... it isn't too long till you see a need for replacing it.

I will be including a marine grade replaceable element in-line filter as part of the setup.

 

[skyway]

I don't need one. I don't really have a use for a fuel cell, unless is comes with a 1.21 jigawatt reactor and can bend space and time.

The only FJR pilot (or any pilot for that matter) I know of who can bend space and time like this is SkooterG, and when it's turned on, step aside 'cause the results are astounding. :lol: :superman:

 

[Groo]

Count me as in as in can be... :thumbsup:

 

[smitty141]

Skyway, could you tease us with some proto-type/pre production pic's to get by on till there ready??? Please, inquiring minds want to see something.... Smitty

 

[skyway]

Skyway, could you tease us with some proto-type/pre production pic's to get by on till there ready??? Please, inquiring minds want to see something.... Smitty

Smitty, it will be at least a week until I can post up some photo's of my bike, since both tanks are in production right now.

So far I have the brackets that will make up the base, machined and installed on the rear sub-frame of my bike. On my '04 they do not have to be removed when the rear passenger seat is put back in its place. The '06 will have to be a different design due to the inboard bag mounts and tupperware.

Once the finished tanks arrive at my shop, I've got some killer ground 6061 3/4" billet aluminum plate waiting to be carved up for what will make the base mount for the cell.

There will be a marathon installation session taking place on Turbodave's AE when he rolls it into my machine shop.

 

[sgoat]

Ian,

I'd always fought off the urge for an aux. fuel tank, but what you're proposing has me thinking I need one. I'll be watching this thread closely! Can't wait to see what you come up with.

 

[skyway]

If I can get under the riders seat quickly, count me in

There will be no restriction to getting the riders seat off.

The rear seat area below the cell mounting plate will also create additional storage space vs. the stock rear seat setup, and it's this area that will require some thought for easy access.

 

[Groo]

Ian,

Are you looking at some sort of QD for the fuel line? How about colors, or are you doing them all flat metallic? Powder coating or anodizing an option to go with the bike's colors?

 

[skyway]

Ian,
Are you looking at some sort of QD for the fuel line? How about colors, or are you doing them all flat metallic? Powder coating or anodizing an option to go with the bike's colors?

Yes, there will be marine grade fuel line quick disconnect fittings as part of the setup. No final decision yet on surface finish, though I'm probably gonna leave mine in its natural state of lightly brushed aluminum.

I am also going to machine a custom manifold to handle the area of plumbing around the ball valve, which will also provide a secure mounting point for the throw handle. This piece will clean up an area of a fuel cell that can sometimes look cluttered with hoses, clamps and fittings.

Lets just say that my aim is to make this whole setup appear as if it was meant to be there, and not just a series of parts thrown together to make it work.

One important design consideration to add, is that all of the fittings I'm using will be standard 1/4" pipe threads and nothing odd ball or difficult to come by. This may come into play big time if you happen to be a long way from home and need a spare part. By going this direction, all components used for routing fuel from the cell to the main tank can be easily identified and scored at most hardware stores with a plumbing department.

 

[OhioFJR1300]

I've been following this thread since its begining and trying to convince myself that I do NOT need this, but I have an aux tank on my GoldWing and it is one of the best things I ever added to it. So I better at least go on record as saying that I am interested in seeing what this turns out to be and I may HAVe to have one.

 

[mjac]

Lets just say that my aim is to make this whole setup appear as if it was meant to be there, and not just a series of parts thrown together to make it work.
One important design consideration to add, is that all of the fittings I'm using will be standard 1/4" pipe threads and nothing odd ball or difficult to come by. This may come into play big time if you happen to be a long way from home and need a spare part. By going this direction, all components used for routing fuel from the cell to the main tank can be easily identified and scored at most hardware stores with a plumbing department.

Count me in.

 

[fjr eh]

I am interested.

I was going to build one this fall.

I have all the tank fitting, the quick disconnect, fuel valve, filter and filler and cap.

Mark

 

[DougW]

Ian, I'll take one for sure. I have a 06. One step closer to replacing my GS as my Rally bike.

 

[skyway]

I am interested.
I was going to build one this fall.

I have all the tank fitting, the quick disconnect, fuel valve, filter and filler and cap.

Mark

Mark, you have another FJR already?

Once I get this setup all dialed in, apart from the filler and cap, you may be able to utilize the parts you already have in hand and save a few bucks?

FYI - I'm using 3/8" ID fuel line throughout.

 

[fjr eh]

Ian,

I received a offer today.

I'm trying to have it bumped up a $1000 or so.

I've been offer just over $20,000. cdn

I believe I'll be ordering a 07.

We'll need to talk about your offerings, when I sort it all out.

Mark

I am interested.

I was going to build one this fall.

I have all the tank fitting, the quick disconnect, fuel valve, filter and filler and cap.

Mark

Mark, you have another FJR already?

Once I get this setup all dialed in, apart from the filler and cap, you may be able to utilize the parts you already have in hand and save a few bucks?

FYI - I'm using 3/8" ID fuel line throughout.

 

[skyway]

Prototype Update.

Both cells arrived at my shop yesterday and their looking good. The aluminum tig welding on both units is absolutely first class folks, I couldn't be happier with the results so far. :dribble: :yahoo:

The fit on my '04 is damn near perfect and will be far less intrusive to the rider than I had originally anticipated. A quick fit check revealed the Yamaha top box lid opened completely with no interference with the cell. B)

When I get a chance I'll get this thing all bolted in and plumbed. No time right now, as end of year is always crazy for me. <_<

Then it's off to get some custom covers sewn up, and I'm shooting for a possible integrated backrest as part of the setup.

No photo's until I get the whole thing completely installed. I'm not keen to show off a partially finished farkle.