Rocket sidecar duty

Thanks Al, the great land of OZ in on our list to visit in a few years; thus I bet I won't get my first on the other side of the road. Our overseas trips are: Scotland this year, either NZ the visit Hobbiton or Denmark to visit the Lego factory. After these two years, maybe OZ.
But back to the hack bike, I have too many ideas right now and need to down-select to reality. I thought I had that figured out with going the Ural route, but am not completely set on that yet.
 
Snuck out of town to stretch the Warthog's legs for the first time. Jumped out to Bellville for a quick stop at SFA statue, that's Stephen F. Austin for those northerners... Bellville is the county seat for Austin County, thus the statue. SFA is considered the father of Texas. Got his blessings then moved on...



Shortly after found a county road... not too dusty with the recent rains. Grass is green and high. Oak trees are putting out new growth.



So how does it handle? It's a hand full. Yes, has a low speed wobble, settles down at 40 and above until you hit 68-70, then it gets lightheaded in front. Smooth and steady in fourth gear, 2500 rpm, 55-60 mph. Up shift to 5th gear, rpm's drop to 2000, feel a little lugging. Down shift to fourth and smooth once again.

The faster you go (50-70 mph), the more you have to push on the right handlebar and pull on the left. We're pushing a lot of air with that nose. Yet overall, meets my expectations. Still needs a few tweaks and twists before any long road trip.

Good news was an average 25 mpg on this 130 mile loop. Better than expected.
 
Today filled the auxiliary fuel cell with gas to test it on a long ride. Fuel would not flow into the main tank for some reason. Hmmm...

Has anyone here tried plumbing an auxiliary fuel cell into the main tank vent outlet to fill the main tank?
 
CCjon said:
Today filled the auxiliary fuel cell with gas to test it on a long ride. Fuel would not flow into the main tank for some reason. Hmmm...

Has anyone here tried plumbing an auxiliary fuel cell into the main tank vent outlet to fill the main tank?
Click to expand...
I have not but I have read about adding a fuel pump to the auxiliary tank if it cannot be gravity fed. I do not know exactly where it need to fit with your system but there may be some help on YouTube for your question.
 
When I tried using the R3 tank vent line as a fill point, the fuel would come out the drain line under the bike. Tried switching vent lines just in case I used the wrong vent, same problem, fuel flows out the bottom.
Though there are several postings on the Iron Butt site saying this has been done on BMW GS's, it doesn't seem to work with the R3...

Went back to my first set up that didn't flow, made a few modifications to it. Now it flows fine.

First set up was in this order:
Auxiliary fuel cell (five gallons mounting high above the passenger seat) - quick disconnect - premium inline fuel filter - on/off manual valve - check valve - quick disconnect - main R3 tank. For whatever reason fuel would not flow with that arrangement.

After trying the suggested vent line hook up above and having fuel dump out the bottom, I went to a more simple set up as follows:

Auxiliary fuel cell (same tank same mounted position) - quick disconnect - cheap plastic inline fuel filter - on/off valve - quick disconnect - R3 tank. Now the fuel flows with gravity pushing it from the aux tank to the R3 tank. No gas coming out underneath.

If that set up had not worked, then the next step would be to add an inline fuel pump with the necessary wiring and switches. Not difficult to do, just more complicated with more parts and pieces that could fail at the wrong time. Simple is best for remote riding, so am glad the last set up is working properly.
 
@tdragger How is your set up for your Ironbutt rides? Is your aux tank just gravity fed?
 
I never attempted to put an aux tank on the Rocket. The tank on my Trophy is indeed gravity fed. The Trophy has a ready-made tap point for the aux fuel line so it was easy peasy to set up. The switch to a cheap fuel filter was the right move as premium filters overwhelm the gravity feed. Some IBA riders argue that you don't need a fuel filter for the aux tank as the main tank still has the fuel filter. The aux tank fuel filter is just another fail point. Regardless, I still run a cheap fuel filter off the aux tank.
 
How is your set up for your Ironbutt rides? Is your aux tank just gravity fed?
Click to expand...

Have used both gravity feed and a transfer pump, depending on where the auxiliary tank was located. Gravity feed is better for the simplicity.

In hot weather the pressure build up in the main tank can impede or sometimes stop any fuel flowing from the aux tank, even when using a transfer pump. Then you have to open the tank lid to release the pressure. On a Goldwing 1500, the gas cap is down low between your legs so easy to pop open while riding. But on the R3 that would be difficult to do when riding.

This summer we'll find out if hot weather affects the fuel flow.
 
tdragger said:
Some IBA riders argue that you don't need a fuel filter for the aux tank as the main tank still has the fuel filter. The aux tank fuel filter is just another fail point. Regardless, I still run a cheap fuel filter off the aux tank.
Click to expand...

Two years ago in the Yukon, I got some bad gas, could see the particles clogging the filter at the auxiliary fuel cell. Several times had to stop, removed that filter, then using a toothpick and tapping on a rock, remove the particles to unclog it. A little plastic inline fuel filter is cheap insurance.
I prefer a transparent fuel line for that reason too. Can see the flow or any blockage.
 
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