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Preparing Your Bike For a Long Distance Trip List here all the essential add-ons required to make sure you have all you need on your long distance trip

 
 
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Old 04-09-07, 22:37
McThor's Avatar
McThor McThor is offline
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Join Date: May 2007
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Pictures of fitting OTR fueltank

Hey gang.

You are welcome to read this as a manual if you wish. But let me say this; if I am able to fit the tank, with nothing but common tools (not to mention common sense), then you are too. The manual that comes with the tankkit from OTR is in german. So for those who don't speak german, this post may be a bit of help. But again, it realy isn't all that difficult.


The tank:







The tankkit. Fuelpump, with attached hoses. The clear one with the screw nozzle goes into the hole you are going to drill in the bike (more on this further down), the one that branches out in a T-section goes into each of the fueling nozzles at the lower front of the tank, and the last one goes onto the nozzle under the bottom of the tank. Also pictured a coolant tank that fits in your "toolbox" under the seat. And no...there isn't missing a hose nor a cap. More later. The dark rubber hose on the left with the two petrol filters and the silicone is not needed. I bought it under the assumption that it was missing. It isn't cause you don't need it. The filters and the sillicone does not come with the tankkit from OTR.





Removing the covers and panels is a doddle. Just punch out the clips and rip it apart . Use the #10 wrench to remove the plate holding the tank in place. Dislodge the tank by pulling it backwards. But gently does it lads, the tank is connected with wires and hoses under the bottom. Don't have a decent pic of removing the coolant tank. It's fitted with two screws and it should be apparent how to remove it. There's a snorkle there that doesn't lead anywhere. Don't worry, it's not something the mechanic forgot to fit. It's just there to allow the tank to "breathe". Remove the snorkel also, you'll need it for the new tank.







You can slap in the coolant tank in the toolbox now if you want. It's as good a time as any, I guess. As you can see, the long tube is fitted in the wrong place (sorry, don't have a picture of how it's realy supposed to look). Place the short snorkle from the old coolant tank, on the nozzle instead. Then take the rubber cap from the old coolant tank, and place it on the metal fitting right next to the snorkle. On this cap, you should connect the long hose. Eventually you will connect it to the radiatior, but wait a bit, untill the tank is ready to install.






Gently lift up the tank and look under it. There are three connections. One is the fuelhose, the other two are electrical plugs. I don't have a picture of them fitted but it should be apparent how to remove them. They are fitted with locking clasps that you will need to manipulate before you can pull them out. Again, it's apparent when you look at them. The oldschool mechanic will now start marking which plug goes into what socket so he will know when refitting the whole thing again. No need. It is simply not possible to put the wrong plug in. The sides have some plastic tracks that makes it impossible to put the plug in the wrong hole. Oh by the way, don't worry about petrol leaking out. When the pump is not powered, the fuel doesn't run out. I actually had to pour the petrol out the same way it came in . Note that when you set the tank down on its front with the bottom plate up, the fuel nozzle is in the 4 o'clock position. Remember that for later.






Now here comes the part where you realy need to take care. I am sorry, but I don't have a picture of the delicate manouvre. I don't think anything but a video would properly portray the operation. Anyway, remove the six screws. Don't worry, it doesn't bottom out. It will stick on there untill you pull on it. After removing the metal fitting, geeeeently pull out the pump. There is a little plastic "knob" in there that kind of sticks out, and I had a heck of a time getting the whole pump out because of it. In the end, I had to manipulate the small "knob" with a thin screwdriver before I could pull out the entire pump. But whatever you do, don't force it. The next picture will give you an idea of why you need to be carefull. It looks like it could break by just looking at it. Take a look :




Before you insert the pump into the OTR tank, here's a little hint. The screws that came with the tank are only halfway screwed in there. Take them out, give them a little oil and then screw them all the way in. Then remove them again and insert the pump. I was halfway done when I gave up because the screws are extremely hard to get in there when going in for the first time. Had to take it all out again, oil the screws and drill them all the way in before fitting the pump again. When you do place the pump, use caution again so you don't break anything. Oh, and remember the 4 o'clock position for the nozzle.


Ok, now for some drilling. The OTR manual says you will need to drill a 4mm hole in the middle of the rubber rim between the injection pump and the cylinder. I drilled a 3,5mm hole and found it a very tight fit. Perhaps a bit too tight but I figured "better too small, than too big". But 3,5mm seems to be fine. I have to admit that I was a bit worried about the excess rubber that you may push in there. But all I can say is that I have driven on the bike after doing this, and have had no problems. You may find it hard to manouvre in the very tight space with a normal powerdrill. The waterpump is in the way. Relocating the tightening band on the waterpump hose helps a bit, but may still prove difficult. I was fortunate enough to have access to a very small powerdrill. Screw in the nozzle at the end of the clear hose on the vaccum pump (sorry, no picture of that). No tools needed for this. Just use your fingers. Don't forget to seal it good with some sillicone.







And here everthing is fitted. Remember, you cannot place the electrical plugs wrong. Note the nozzle fitted under the tank. You see, the fuel from the external vacuum pump does not supply the internal pump directly. It just pumps the fuel up from the "wings" of the tank, up to a level where the internal pump can catch it and fuel the bike as normal. So basically, fitting the bottom of the tank is exactly as on the stock tank. Only difference is the extra nozzle.





Ok, we're pretty much done. I will add to this post with a more explanatory picture of the connection of the vacuum pump. Right now, it's just taped to the side of the bike. I just wanted to see if things were working properly before I start trimming hoses.

I have a good idea where to place the vacuum pump, but I will describe that in more detail as an addendum to this post.


There is an annoying gap between the front of the seat and the base of the tank. I can't realy see a way to trim this to fit. The seat is immovable and so is the tank. I'll propably fit some black foam to make the finish a little nicer. Then there is the matter of the side panels. They will definately need some trimming. I plan to do this with a sharp knife and/or a file.

Oh, the end result? Here you go :


Before:





After:



Last edited by McThor; 12-06-08 at 02:13.
 

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