I have done this mod to quite a few bikes now..
The picture will utter forth what I did...
Before any of you start telling me I shouldn't do that cos of fuel expansion on a hot day, I say unto thee...
I only brim it when I am actually setting off on a decent ride.
Initially I jammed a piece of foam into the neck, then using an electricians screw driver and a hammer I punched the hole through.. It doesnt take that much force I can assure you..
Then I used a decent sized phillips (pozidrive) screw driver and hammered that through the same hole. Then gently rive the screw driver back and forth to slightly elongate the hole. Dont use a drill as you dont want metal filings falling in the tank.
I suggest the hole is made on the right side of the filler neck (as seen from seating position) so that when your bike is on the side stand the hole is upper most.
The whole point of this exercise is that its normally not practical to fill up more than the bottom of the filler tube because there is an air lock..
Putting the hole where I suggested releases the air and gains you 2.1 litres (and yes...I did measure the extra). In my case thats around 20 miles !
Obviously you have the choice to fill to the normal level if you think your bike will be left in the sun.
The photo is taken from a low angle.. Under normal viewing angles you can barely see the hole.
Went on a "brisk" ride today with some mates that ride a fair bit quicker than I normally do...
145 miles on 13.2 litres of fuel works out at just over 50mpg (UK)
I am well chuffed with that..
I am certain I could get 53 - 55mpg if I was riding in a more sedate manner.
Certainly interesting!
I will give this some thought.
One of the reasons I like the 14 is the tank range.
I often do 307K's (190 miles) between two of the petrol stations I use.
I'd be happy to extend this.
My other bike (B-King) only takes 16.5 ltrs and is much worse.
I'll admit its a new one to me Speedy.
mmmmm. . . . . . I can see where this could be useful stops that 20 pence at a time once it hits the neck
might do this on the tank Im painting while its off :clapping:
Speedy
i have been doing the same thing in exactly the same way for a few years now, don't laugh but i found this out on the honda c90 club, and yes i do love the c90 but it does have a very little tank and a hole can give another 0.5 lt on the c90.
Had I known this when I was commuting on the 1400 I would have been straight out there. My favourite feature on my ZZR1100 was the 24 litre tank.
Yeah I can see just one issue with this in our climate, you may definitely want to ponder
@Tony Nitrous QuoteObviously you have the choice to fill to the normal level if you think your bike will be left in the sun.
Here in SE Qld we have a fair bit of that sun stuff.
Quote from: VladTepes on Monday, 25 September 2017, 02:25 PM
Yeah I can see just one issue with this in our climate, you may definitely want to ponder @Tony Nitrous
QuoteObviously you have the choice to fill to the normal level if you think your bike will be left in the sun.
Here in SE Qld we have a fair bit of that sun stuff.
Yes, fuel comes out of the underground tanks quite cool here.
Sat over a hot engine on a 35+ degree day its certainly going to expand.
I guess splitting the difference, putting some extra in but not filling to the brim,
and filling up and riding not sitting around parked up waiting it would be fine.
Even an extra 1ltr room for free is a good deal.
There is a small hole already in that location. I saw a wee stream of bubbles coming out of there yesterday when I filled up, didn't take much notice, now this thread. So, I went out & had a look with the torch & yep, there it is, small air hole.
What I also noticed was grit in the tank!
Tank itself is fine so must be from the petrol! Why can't they filter it at the pump & clean those out instead of pumping the crud into our tanks & we have to change the filter cause of their 'dirty' fuel!!
Anyway, looks like I'll be cleaning the filters this summer, do I need a new gasket or is it a rubber re-useable thing? I'd do the external HP filter mod as well, but I've got wiring & relays all over the place there & can't be arsed moving all that lot as well. It's not blocked at all, had a nice wee full throttle burst a couple of times yesterday & no complaints from her at all - or me!
Hi Kiwicol..
There was no hole in mine!
It would have taken 20 minutes to fill the final 2 litres..
Now its very fast to fill totally to the brim!
Obviously I reduce the trigger pressure on the pump trigger for the final 2 litres but its still very quick compared to how it was.
Any 1mm breather hole is not practical for a quick fill up!
S.
Yep, agreed on that, very small bubbles coming out. With a decent size hole it'd be just normal speed fill. I like the idea of getting it right to the top when I'm off on an extended ride.
I don't know what my tank holds.
A bit less than stock I guess?
I know there's a fuel gauge sender or something in the tank that clunks
on the side that can be annoying.
Any job that involves me hitting something with a hammer gets my vote.
I'll get my special Suzuki tool kit at the ready....
Tony!! You have to put warnings up before posting pic's like that! Poor Barmy will have another stroke! Not to mention the damage it'll do to Red's eyes once he gazes upon that! :lol:
like the idea, love your tool kit Tony. ill watch n listen a bit further before i get the hammer n screwdriver out. 2 more litres is good for me.
I only have a side stand so its a good point about doing it on the right and side... :onya:
Quote from: Tony Nitrous on Monday, 25 September 2017, 05:15 PM
Any job that involves me hitting something with a hammer gets my vote.
I'll get my special Suzuki tool kit at the ready....
I thought that was Triumph Service Tool No's 1,2,3,4,5,....... :happy1:
Tony the best thing about the GSX1400 is that your tool kit will all fit under the seat !
Quote from: KiwiCol on Monday, 25 September 2017, 04:43 PM
There is a small hole already in that location.
Yep, there is a small hole already (K2). If you have the patience to trickle-fill...
I have to wait either way as mine is missing the drain hose. Wouldn't want to get overflowing petrol on a hot engine.
Not in the location where I punched my hole there isnt !
Quote from: Speedy1959 on Monday, 02 October 2017, 03:01 AM
Not in the location where I punched my hole there isnt !
Looks that way
Yes.
Mines just the same Andre.
AU 9/08 complianced and breather hole is exactly the same.
Andre...
To be totally honest I didn't look that far up inside the tank so for all I know my bike could well have had a pin prick sized hole...
Humble pie has been eaten on my part.. :embarrassed:
I punched the hole as high up as a straight electricians screw driver would allow ON THE RIGHT SIDE of the filler..
If I am brimming my tank I always use my side stand now as the enlarged hole is at the highest point on the tank (nit picking I know).
Overall this simple alteration of a microscopic hole means I am 2 miles down the road with a truly full tank whilst un altered bikers are still dribbling a half cup at a time into the filler neck.
My original point was that without doing major damage to your bike you can make it much easier to live with.
Once again I stress that I only brim it to the very top if I am doing an immediate ride out..
The point is I now have the choice.
Hope this clarifies my original rantings..
S.
I would have never seen the pin prick hole if it were not for your recommendation. I felt it with my finger first. Was not easy to capture it on the camera.
I will definitely enlarge it. Simple procedure to get a 24 liter tank (without staying at the pump forever). Don't mind to see the 1st bar of the fuel gauge drop at 100 miles instead of 80 :)
Thanks for your tip.
i will have a look, if tiny hole is there ill enlarge it. one of the best mods ive ever read. :worshippy:
Did this mod on the Blue tonight. Easy to do & fills fast now. It's up to you how much you put in though, just to the neck or brim it. Least you have an easy choice with this simple mod. Thx Speedy.
:cheers:
Did mine today. Bit daunting hitting into fuel tank with a hammer, harder to think about than do. Will go the big fill, see how much goes in.
Nice hole there Col :onya:
Col, you did say a 3 foot screwdriver, is that why i now have a hole leaking thru side of tank? :rofl2: :rofl2:
Quote from: Tony Nitrous on Monday, 25 September 2017, 05:15 PM
Any job that involves me hitting something with a hammer gets my vote.
I'll get my special Suzuki tool kit at the ready....
Do you also have a selection of Gaff Tapes to complete a full tool kit? :stir:
Well done Col...
when I did mine I stuffed a piece of foam into the neck of the filler to keep the fumes to a minimum just in case I did make a spark..
But as a science friend said to me..
Fill the tank and do the mod..
If the tank is filled then there is no room for the vapour to collect.
As you brave souls (who have done the mod) have said..
It does no major damage and you dont even need to mention it if you sell the bike..
I have done this mod to many different bikes over the past 3 years...
Glad it was a help to those who have done the mod.
Quote from: Speedy1959 on Monday, 22 January 2018, 11:20 PM
Well done Col...
when I did mine I stuffed a piece of foam into the neck of the filler to keep the fumes to a minimum just in case I did make a spark..
But as a science friend said to me..
Fill the tank and do the mod..
If the tank is filled then there is no room for the vapour to collect.
As you brave souls (who have done the mod) have said..
It does no major damage and you dont even need to mention it if you sell the bike..
I have done this mod to many different bikes over the past 3 years...
Glad it was a help to those who have done the mod.
on my way out to the garage as my tank is off ready for its trip for repair and spraying on Thursday so big hammer here I come :smile2: :smile2:
Quote from: Notty on Tuesday, 23 January 2018, 12:22 AM
Quote from: Speedy1959 on Monday, 22 January 2018, 11:20 PM
Well done Col...
when I did mine I stuffed a piece of foam into the neck of the filler to keep the fumes to a minimum just in case I did make a spark..
But as a science friend said to me..
Fill the tank and do the mod..
If the tank is filled then there is no room for the vapour to collect.
As you brave souls (who have done the mod) have said..
It does no major damage and you dont even need to mention it if you sell the bike..
I have done this mod to many different bikes over the past 3 years...
Glad it was a help to those who have done the mod.
on my way out to the garage as my tank is off ready for its trip for repair and spraying on Thursday so big hammer here I come :smile2: :smile2:
Surprising it didn't take more force - will have to wait a few months before the bike is back on the road after the winter mods ! cheers Simon :smile2:
Welcome to the "club" Notty.
Your visits to the petrol station will be a brief affair now..
Thats a good thing if your refueling but pretty bad if the cashier is a fit wench !!
:grin:
one light flashing tonight, 20k ride in morning, time for a refill. will see what diff. the hole makes. excited i am. how much is petrol where you blokes live. here, 91 is $1.49, 98 is $1.69. per litre.
Tonight 91 was $1:97.9 nzd
http://www.fuel-prices-europe.info/chart-europe.php
this doesn't show fuel price in the upside down part of the world but does for this half of the world.
currently shows
@Blubber pays the most for petrol .
:cheers:
Haven't had 91 RON in ages here. Minimum is 95.
Always get 98 RON ethanol-free. Prices vary strongly during the day at the same station.
At the moment (one of the cheaper times of the day):
98 Premium 1,46 €
95 E5 1,34 €
91 was $1:97.9 nzd = 1,18 €
91 is $1.49 AU = 0,97 €
98 is $1.69 AU = 1,11 €
Quote from: seth on Tuesday, 23 January 2018, 08:18 PM
currently shows @Blubber pays the most for petrol .
:cheers:
As I live right at the border I see many filler-upper "tourist" from the Netherlands. Used to be the other way around. Lots of people here got a diesel and filled up there. My uncle had the cheapest diesel as he used heating oil. Even cheaper as he worked as truck driver picking the stuff up at the refinery. He may have got it for free ... :whistling:
Quote from: seth on Tuesday, 23 January 2018, 08:18 PM
http://www.fuel-prices-europe.info/chart-europe.php
this doesn't show fuel price in the upside down part of the world but does for this half of the world.
currently shows @Blubber pays the most for petrol .
:cheers:
Can't be right.. i always put €25 worth of fuel in the tank :tongue:
blubbers problem is he's nearer to the uk than germany but would have to get a ferry.
@Andre you'd be better heading for a short run to Luxembourg as fuel is much cheaper there :cheers:
Quote from: seth on Tuesday, 23 January 2018, 09:07 PM
blubbers problem is he's nearer to the uk than germany but would have to get a ferry.
@Andre you'd be better heading for a short run to Luxembourg as fuel is much cheaper there :cheers:
If fuel economy was high on my eco list :whistling:.. i probably would NOT be riding a 14 or driving a V70 with a N/A 2.4L .
Whilst they both have a decent range.. it's mainly due to the fuel cell size :facepalm:
me too as i come over 3-4 times a year fuel is what it is
just interesting to compare prices .
i think they are averages for each country so can vary wildly between different fuel stations locally.
:cheers:
Quote from: seth on Tuesday, 23 January 2018, 09:07 PM
blubbers problem is he's nearer to the uk than germany but would have to get a ferry.
@Andre you'd be better heading for a short run to Luxembourg as fuel is much cheaper there :cheers:
You'll burn more than you save unless you hitch up a tank trailer :happy1: NOT
It's about 125 km one way for me. Just a nice trip to there and then round and about LUX. Half a tank is plenty to get me there, fill her up, ride around, fill her up again and head home. Guess that will save me up to 10€ in fuel and then a goodly amount on tobacco (if I still smoke then). :smoke: :facepalm:
Filled up this morn, 2nd time with larger breather hole. Just so much easier, hardly any air bubbles. Only just had gauge flashing and fitted 19 litres easily. I think 24 a def. possibility. Great mod Speedy. 👏
Quote from: Andre on Tuesday, 23 January 2018, 08:43 PM
Quote from: seth on Tuesday, 23 January 2018, 08:18 PM
currently shows @Blubber pays the most for petrol .
:cheers:
As I live right at the border I see many filler-upper "tourist" from the Netherlands. Used to be the other way around. Lots of people here got a diesel and filled up there. My uncle had the cheapest diesel as he used heating oil. Even cheaper as he worked as truck driver picking the stuff up at the refinery. He may have got it for free ... :whistling:
When I lived in Wales we had several restaurants in work so I collected the old chip oil and converted to biofuel by the methanol process. Even used it in my BMW engined Range Rover but it regularly ate the in-tank fuel pump.
Quote from: grog on Wednesday, 31 January 2018, 07:26 AM
Filled up this morn, 2nd time with larger breather hole. Just so much easier, hardly any air bubbles. Only just had gauge flashing and fitted 19 litres easily. I think 24 a def. possibility. Great mod Speedy. 👏
I filled to the brim as soon as I got to 1 light (book says 6L left at that point) I got 20L in there! Reckon if you brim it with this mod you're up to 26L, with 24 - 25 useable for sure. Mind you, this is only of use on a long run. There's not too many places that have over 400K between gas stations. (Aussie excepted)
Col, we like options regardless of their usefulness (bling, bling) :boogie:
Currently main use for me is when bike is laid up. Like to have a truly full tank then.
I am picky about gas stations. This option may "save" me from taking a detour to get a filler. But I do like taking detours.
Still trickle-method for me. Like to take my time. Could live well without this mod but like to have an option. Still thinking about it. No hurry :cheers:
takes the trickle out of the equasion, just much easier.
i did this yesterday so quick to fill her up now instead of trying to drizzle to get as much into the tank which seems to take ages ...a big thank you
Quote from: Andre on Tuesday, 23 January 2018, 09:57 PM
Quote from: seth on Tuesday, 23 January 2018, 09:07 PM
blubbers problem is he's nearer to the uk than germany but would have to get a ferry.
@Andre you'd be better heading for a short run to Luxembourg as fuel is much cheaper there :cheers:
You'll burn more than you save unless you hitch up a tank trailer :happy1: NOT
It's about 125 km one way for me. Just a nice trip to there and then round and about LUX. Half a tank is plenty to get me there, fill her up, ride around, fill her up again and head home. Guess that will save me up to 10€ in fuel and then a goodly amount on tobacco (if I still smoke then). :smoke: :facepalm:
Where exactly do you live ?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The most I ever squeezed into my 14 was 22.73l and it was trickle fed. The cars behind me at the bowser were spewing but I had my reasons (long distance ahead and measurement purpose).....
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Pot Belly, i was same. stick that bigger hole in, at least 24 l for me. i gained almost 30ks until first bar went out. Kiwi Col i think said 25l, not sure.
Quote from: grog on Thursday, 22 February 2018, 07:34 PM
Pot Belly, i was same. stick that bigger hole in, at least 24 l for me. i gained almost 30ks until first bar went out. Kiwi Col i think said 25l, not sure.
Done straight after I read this post! Lol
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180222/32ea4885a9f9c6bf49b2ded7e4ee1c74.jpg)
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well done, talk about instant action, youre the man. let me know next time you fill, i was amazed. thank Speedy for info
Only just seen this thread :rolleyes:
I might just go and do the mod now..The bike needs another wash down anyway.
I can honestly say that I've never had any problem filling the tank to the brim anyway. I just put the nozzle right in and fire away until it cuts off..Then gradually raise the nozzle until the tank is brimmed.
Quote from: Potbellied German on Thursday, 22 February 2018, 01:42 PM
Quote from: Andre on Tuesday, 23 January 2018, 09:57 PM
Quote from: seth on Tuesday, 23 January 2018, 09:07 PM
blubbers problem is he's nearer to the uk than germany but would have to get a ferry.
@Andre you'd be better heading for a short run to Luxembourg as fuel is much cheaper there :cheers:
You'll burn more than you save unless you hitch up a tank trailer :happy1: NOT
It's about 125 km one way for me. Just a nice trip to there and then round and about LUX. Half a tank is plenty to get me there, fill her up, ride around, fill her up again and head home. Guess that will save me up to 10€ in fuel and then a goodly amount on tobacco (if I still smoke then). :smoke: :facepalm:
Where exactly do you live ?
Look at the map here: http://gsx1400owners.org/forum_test/index.php?action=profile (http://gsx1400owners.org/forum_test/index.php?action=profile)
And mod done, thought about this mod when dribble filling my tank yesterday morning. Took less than 1min with suitable screw drivers. Will have to wait until next week to fill it up again....
Don't let ya insurance co know you've modified your bike Eric ....... :facepalm: :facepalm:
No way I could do that to my bike as it wouldn't be standard, and it will cost to much to fill it up, all I need to do now is take that K&N filter out and I have the perfect motorcycle.
You must have very brown arms Irish. :onya:
I can recognize a good idea when it hits me in the head, so I did mine on Sunday with a punch and followed through with a Phillips head, and yes it was very easy to penetrate
I really should get around to this. Two stages - small then larger driver? Or three?
Yep, just 2.
Yep 2 start with a flat bladed one as suggested then a std Phillips.
DONT twist the Phillips to make the hole bigger, as this causes filings to come off, luckily the Phillips I used was pretty new and so still relatively strong magnetically, so all the filings stayed on the tip. The steel of the filler neck is so thin you can nearly push the Phillips through by hand. I used a rubber mallet too by the way.
Good to cover the tank well..... just in case you misfire :facepalm:
Hence the rubber mallet.
something very easy being made difficult. No. 2 phillips , hit with hammer. job done.
It seems that my `14 may be the only one left without the extra hole in the fuel tank!
At my age i`m very happy to be stopping every 120miles to refuel, have a coffee, a cigarette, and try to re-adjust my weary frame! :)
Quote from: DP1400 on Friday, 21 February 2020, 07:45 AM
It seems that my `14 may be the only one left without the extra hole in the fuel tank!
At my age i`m very happy to be stopping every 120miles to refuel, have a coffee, a cigarette, and try to re-adjust my weary frame! :)
Maybe true, but its actually not an extra hole, its just making the existing hole a bit bigger so the tank can breathe properly. The benefit is it allows a few extra litres of fuel. Downside is that if you max fill the tank then park it in the sun, it will probably leak fuel via the overflow. Maybe not a big issue for the UK contingent i guess.... :stir: As per the OP, only max fill it when going on a long ride straight after.
Just looked at my k6 no hole in the tank neck
But I do have two beside the filler neck so is it worth making them larger. ?
No!
Those are the drain for if it's overfilled and link to a pipe that runs through the tank. You'll make it leak.
Cheers will leave them alone then
Quote from: Stepdoug on Sunday, 02 October 2022, 05:57 PM
Just looked at my k6 no hole in the tank neck
But I do have two beside the filler neck so is it worth making them larger. ?
I initially used a bent electriciand screwdriver to start my hole in the neck..
I used a rubber mallet to hit the handle of the screwdrivers / Punches.
The idea is to get the hole as high up the neck as possible..
Once the initial small hole is made you can progress to larger and larger till you have around 6mm
Even though I say it myself it is genuinely a worthwhile mod and NOT a gimmick!
Best I've ever done is 370km's after I filled tank on centre stand to almost over flowing. I've never had the modification. :boogie:
I never do any mods to my bike that can't be easily reversed.
Quote from: mjgt on Monday, 03 October 2022, 07:43 PM
I never do any mods to my bike that can't be easily reversed.
But Mjt, who'd want to poke another hole in the tank from the outside?
Apologies for covering old ground, I had a look at my filler neck today and on first inspection there was no hole so I had a bit of a prod with a small pick and discovered that the hole had been blocked with something which I was able to remove with a bit of pressure (hopefully the teabag will collect whatever it was) I then went on to carry out the mod with a couple of different size Philips screwdrivers so all good now
I have been thinking about this today a bit, would the original hole being blocked have any impact on how the bike would run? Originally I convinced myself it would but the more that i'm thinking about it the more I think it wouldn't :confused1: Anybody have a view on this?
Quote from: Will14 on Monday, 19 June 2023, 06:16 AMApologies for covering old ground, I had a look at my filler neck today and on first inspection there was no hole so I had a bit of a prod with a small pick and discovered that the hole had been blocked with something which I was able to remove with a bit of pressure (hopefully the teabag will collect whatever it was) I then went on to carry out the mod with a couple of different size Philips screwdrivers so all good now
I have been thinking about this today a bit, would the original hole being blocked have any impact on how the bike would run? Originally I convinced myself it would but the more that i'm thinking about it the more I think it wouldn't :confused1: Anybody have a view on this?
Now you have done the mod you will know if she runs better..
I am not convinced it would make a difference to the overflow/vent tube from the tank.
The point of the mod is to allow (if you want to) to brim the tank at the start of a good ride out..
The beauty of this idea is that you dont have to brim it.. You can stop pumping fuel in when its at the bottom of the tank filler tube.
Obvoiusly dont brim it then leave it parked in the sun..
S
Quote from: Speedy1959 on Monday, 19 June 2023, 07:37 AMQuote from: Will14 on Monday, 19 June 2023, 06:16 AMApologies for covering old ground, I had a look at my filler neck today and on first inspection there was no hole so I had a bit of a prod with a small pick and discovered that the hole had been blocked with something which I was able to remove with a bit of pressure (hopefully the teabag will collect whatever it was) I then went on to carry out the mod with a couple of different size Philips screwdrivers so all good now
I have been thinking about this today a bit, would the original hole being blocked have any impact on how the bike would run? Originally I convinced myself it would but the more that i'm thinking about it the more I think it wouldn't :confused1: Anybody have a view on this?
Now you have done the mod you will know if she runs better..
I am not convinced it would make a difference to the overflow/vent tube from the tank.
The point of the mod is to allow (if you want to) to brim the tank at the start of a good ride out..
The beauty of this idea is that you dont have to brim it.. You can stop pumping fuel in when its at the bottom of the tank filler tube.
Obvoiusly dont brim it then leave it parked in the sun..
S
Hi Speedy, I totally agree with you, however as the original hole in my filler neck was blocked I wondered if this may have caused additional pressure inside the tank, or even an air lock in the tank restricting fuel flow :confused1:
As you say, the proof will be found when next riding the bike
Cheers
Out on a ride recently, got to shaking the bike. Pleased I didn't run it dry. Put 23.7 litres in it..... Close :facepalm:
I did this mod to my K8. Bike tank now takes more litres to fill which is handy on our longer rides.