Is there a larger capacity tank for a Jackal?

[flynguzzi]

Other than expanding the existing tank. There is a lot going on as far as connections underneath the tank to electronics, fuel vapor fittings and returns to tank. The frame backbone is different than a G5, Convert etc, as it takes a sweep up to the steering head and does not look like it would take the G5 style of tank. Any late model injected Guzzi have a better sized tank with all the assorted fuel and vapor fittings?   JB

[Triple Jim]

I was surprised at your question, so I looked up the tank capacity.  I was surprised to find out it's only about five gallons.  At big as it looks, it's a gallon less than my Mille's tank.

[flynguzzi]

I ride with a group of older riders in their late 60's and early 70's. We rode out to Colorado this summer and they all told me that "don't worry about fuel stops, we usually need to pee before then." NOT! I was constantly on the short side of the tank when we gassed up and twice on the low fuel light. I am 63 and my bladder is apparently much smaller than these road tested guys and gals!

Hence the question about more tank capacity, I felt like I was holding them up with my fuel stops!  Suggestions welcomed!  JB

[Triple Jim]

What's the gas mileage you're getting?  That can be as much a cause of short range as the tank size.

[Matteo]

Lemans 4 tank, 6.3g.

[jim_W]

Three additional gallons plumbed into the former vent on the original tank.

[fatbob]

Three additional gallons plumbed into the former vent on the original tank.

+1 on the aux tank!  Mine is 5 gallons in place of the pillion seat. The line is T'd in just after the petcock 

[flynguzzi]

Triple Jim, logbook shows 1603 total miles using 35.86 gallons of regular for a total of 44.70mpg. They just had bigger bladders and fuel tanks than me!

[Tom]

 :1: on the aux gas tank or carry some with you.

[Tom H]

With a tank as big looking as the one on my EV touring at 5 USG. Why couldn't Guzzi have found all available space to add capacity?????

My oldies have 6 USG in a smaller looking tank!!

On my oldies, I go two hours max and make a "pit stop", usually a bit less. Stretch the legs, fuel and you know. This puts them at about 120 miles or less with about 3-3.5 gal used. My EV light would be on at that point I think. On my EV, the light usually comes on when I've used up 3 USG.

Question. I was told my EV can only go about 150 miles before I HAVE to stop. I get right about 40mpg for my normal commute. the question is.... How much gas can come out of the tank while ridding?? I'm not talking about stopping and leaning the bike over to the left to maybe move gas from one side to the other.

On my Eldo, I did run it so far one time that I put in 5.75 gallons when I made the gas station. It would not really run this low. On the freeway it would not run. On the street at 30mph or less was a struggle to keep it running. At a stop, it was stalling.
Don't ask how I ran this low. I still don't understand how. By mileage, I should needed only 3-4 gallons.

Tom

[webmost]

Triple Jim, logbook shows 1603 total miles using 35.86 gallons of regular for a total of 44.70mpg. They just had bigger bladders and fuel tanks than me!

These stats are fascinating info for me as a Jackal newb.

I'd be curious to see some pics showing what you did for luggage.

As for the topic: I can see both sides of this.

I have a KLR, Biffy Bullfrog, with a 7 1/2 gallon EMS tank, which gets 57mpg on the road. Biffy can easily go 350 miles, if I'm riding alone, without hitting the first of her two reserves. There's no one I have traveled with who doesn't have to stop sooner. Not even my buddy with the stock 6.1 gallon tank KLR. But I certainly don't resent anyone stopping sooner. It's not an imposition or anything. There's always someone has to stop soonest. Don't let it bother you. I just set Biffy's trip meter and pull off the next ramp accordingly.

On the other extreme, I rode my Indian Scout, Sopowa, 3,500 miles to the Boundary Waters and back in company with a K75S. The 750cc brick didn't get any better highway mileage than Sopowa, even though she weighs in at 1130cc; but the brick totes a 5 1/2 gallon tank, while Sopowa sports a meager 3 1/3 gallon tanklet. Needless to say, I was always the first to refuel. Returning on the freeway riding into the headwind of a named storm, Sopowa barely made it to the pump at 147 miles. Her engine sputtered out in the gas station driveway! But my riding companion never made me feel that I was holding him up. Also rode the length of the Blue Ridge Parkway down & back in company with a fellow riding a beemer RT1150, 6 2/3 gallons. He never seemed to resent stopping.

So from both sides of the equation, I wouldn't worry about who stops first, and neither would my riding companions. If it bothers them, they can go with someone else next time.

Here's a third side of the discussion: I bought Biffy her gallon and a half larger EMS tank primarily to protect her radiator; but I chose the largest one offered at the time, 7 1/2 gallons, to enjoy an increased trip radius (and a translucent color for the super accurate fuel gauge). Had EMS offered the 10 gallon size they offer now, I would doubtless have scored that size. (Can you imagine 500 miles without putting a foot down?) I have several times ridden Biffy 350+ miles non stop. That'll put you in the zone. But six or seven hours is strictly something you do riding solo. Three legs aboard Sopowa shrinks to one leg aboard Biffy. I have the luxury of either. Perhaps you don't. Either way, as far as I am concerned, the real question is not what good-natured ribbing the other guys may give you to enliven the journey on the way, but what kind of distance you'd like to do.



I think riding in company ought to be like volleyball in the back yard. Grandpa, Dad, and the eight year old all play on the same team. Grandpa can't jump, Dad is the hero, Junior can't spike. So what? It's fun.

[nsmith]

Set your Jackal upright and drain a full tank out and now your useable gas is closer to 4.5 us gal. This was not working for me so I removed the air box installed pod filters and the bike didn't seem to care so here we go. Bought a tank off Ebay handed it to a guy who can weld and we  added two more  gallons to the space the air box was using, now it's 200 miles to the reserve light and another 80 or so to shoe leather. I also have a Tour Tank I have used with the B11 that can keep me in the saddle about 600miles if I think I can ride that  long(I can't). It's nice riding in South Dakota with out planning your route around gas stations. We don't always have the luxury of riding till the red light comes on and pulling into a gas station before we find ourselves afoot.

[Zoom Zoom]

For those that weren't aware, the tank was carved out underneath for the air box. Prior to that, the same tank held more fuel. (Aprox 6 gal. Those were the carbed models.)

As for your fuel economy you mentioned, that sounds pretty accurate. Low to mid 40's is the norm. I usually got anywhere from 39 to 42 on my EV's.

The lowest I ever ran down without running out, I put 4.8 gallons into the tank. I once ran out in Nebraska pushing a head wind. Thankfully I was right across the street from the station when it finally died.

I always carried one or two MSR bottles with spare fuel. Not a lot I know, but the 33 ounce bottle save me from pushing and also helped others I found along the road a few times over the years.

As to your original question, No there is not a quick fix to a bigger tank. You could remove the air box, install pod filters, and adapt a different tank to the bike. The EV I currently own has a custom aftermarket tank from Evan Wilcox. It came with the bike when I bought it and holds just shy of 9 gallons. Last I knew, assuming he is even still making tanks, the price of admission to that was 1500 bucks. That was before paint. I have seen tanks cut and sectioned lengthwise with a strip of metal welded in on either side, expanding the volume. Again, repaint is needed.

Safe bet is you can figure on 150 miles. 180 can be done, but I would generally start looking at 150 when I was riding my first EV.

The MSR fuel bottles were cheap, and sealed well. I never had leakage and they took up little space in the saddlebags. With the EV I have now, that is no longer an issue.

So, the real question is how much are you willing to spend?

John Henry

edit: When your low fuel light comes on solid, you have roughly 1.6 gallons left. Mine usually came on around 130ish.

[guzzista]

2  interesting bits on tank /removal is that on all Cali 1100 ( mine is a 1994 carb type), the airbox  is the same and removal is a PITA, may be  best addressed when clutch replacement/ frame crabbing takes place. I have a T tank to install on my Cali and the only thing holding me back is the time consuming factor. And Yes, a bit more gas  capacity would be nice.

[Zoom Zoom]

Curious. So if I understand, you're saying the your '94 carbie is still 5 gallons? Or is it more capacity with the same large air box under it?

So, perhaps when they went to that shape of tank, it became less capacity?

Surely would not be the first time I was wrong, or the last.......

John Henry

[lazlokovacs]

I put a t3/convert tank on my calvin. It fits the frame.

But I also retro-fitted carbs at the same time.

I can go a loooong way without refuelling now.