Motorvation Coupe Royale

Gas tanks are often steam cleaned inside to remove deposits and sediment. After cleaning it would still be wise to install a fuel filter in the line to avoid further contamination from gas cans, etc.
Some set up the auxiliary tank with an electric pump and valve system so they can work directly from it.
Some use the stock fuel tank and replenish it from the auxiliary tank when needed.

Lonnie

You may want to also just give motorvation a call. They are great to deal with and may have some input for you.
Man, I wish they still made that sidecar, always did like them..

Your Goldwing already has a fuel pump. I'd guess you could put in a valve to draw from either the bike or the sidecar, as required.
Nice looking combination by the way.

Thanks for all the responses. It sure has been fun getting into this, my rig is a 83 SUZ GS550E with a Spirit Eagle - small quick responsive little hack with is great for getting around town. My mothers new rig is a whole different animal and finally getting to learn the nuances of a larger rig, accelerating in a R turn , sudden decel in a L turn. It really has been quite fun. Anyway back to getting this bike set up.

The PO put a fuel pump in the sidecar with a hose long enough to reach the tank. There is not a fuel pump on the bike, otherwise, I'd love that solution. I did talk to Motorvation, they are extremely courteous and helpful. The name of the kind gentleman that helped me had said this was a design before Mary's husband bought the company at which time they corrected some of the design flaws. One of them being the fiberglass gas tank which they switched to a steel one. He suggested that I just don't use it. I am curious if anyone sees any issues with using a fiberglass tank and if so how can I remedy them to be able to use the extra carrying capacity. My MPG right now is not that good, admittingly most of the riding has been around town lately, but still. Almost a requirement to have an extra supply for a longer trip.

Any issues with an old fiberglass tank?

andy

Originally written by yellow on 11/17/2006 12:17 PM

Any issues with an old fiberglass tank?

andy

I know on the old Nortons I used to work on in the sixties and seventies had fibreglass accessory tanks that started to literally disintigrate once the fuels changed in the late seventies and early eighties.They were prone to being eaten from the inside out.We used a sealer on the insides.My memory is to poor to remember exactly what we used.
Rejean

Originally written by yellow on 11/17/2006 12:17 PM

The PO put a fuel pump in the sidecar with a hose long enough to reach the tank. There is not a fuel pump on the bike, otherwise, I'd love that solution. I did talk to Motorvation, they are extremely courteous and helpful. The name of the kind gentleman that helped me had said this was a design before Mary's husband bought the company at which time they corrected some of the design flaws. One of them being the fiberglass gas tank which they switched to a steel one.
andy

I'm confused. Are we talking about the Goldwing and Motorvation car? I've never seen a Goldwing that doesn't have a fuel pump. Should be on the right side between the valve cover and the oil fill cap.

I guess I made an assumption that there would not be a fuel pump with a petcock and carbs...thought that fuel pump and TB went hand and hand....I will look and let you know.

I understand. On the Goldwing, the Carbs are higher than the fuel tank. It needs help to get the gas to flow uphill. Check http://www.randakks.com/Electrical%20Parts.htm#2 for some nice closeups.

Cool...thanks for the great link...now I understand what you were talking about with hooking up a switch to pick the tank. I like that. Just have to figure you how to coat the tank, it does not come out of the sidecar

Originally written by yellow on 11/17/2006 9:02 PM

Cool...thanks for the great link...now I understand what you were talking about with hooking up a switch to pick the tank. I like that. Just have to figure you how to coat the tank, it does not come out of the sidecar

Of course, now you do understand that owning a sidecar and living in Wisconsin means you have to come up to Cameron next June for the SKUNK Rally. http://www.cwizard.com/skunk/ :0)
Nonresidents are invited too.

Originally written by yellow on 11/17/2006 7:56 PM

I guess I made an assumption that there would not be a fuel pump with a petcock and carbs...thought that fuel pump and TB went hand and hand....I will look and let you know.

Andy,
I removed the rear half of my saddle,making a solo saddle, and installed a 3.5 gal Aux tank there, with gravity feed to my original fuel lines. There i installed a valve to open the aux fuel tank when needed.
No pumps at all. then youy can remove the old tank permanently, and use the extra storage space gained. gives me almost 10 gal of gas for trips.
actually, my butt dont last that long, but the reserve gas comes in handy at times.

pic of the tank, seat and new rack before finishing last winter.
You know where I live...come on over and take a look. get some ideas.

I've been reading the info about the aux tank. I have a steel tank in the Spyder with a fuel pump. Gary at Motorvation and the instructions say that I only have to use a T into the gas line below the tank petcock. The Valk does not have a fuel pump, it's gravity fed. The instructions mention that if the petcock is not turned off when the aux pump is working, the Valkyrie's tank will reverse fill which makes sense. If I have a brain fade and accidently turn on the fuel pump while the main tank is almost full, that could lead to some interesting consequences. Putting nine gallons into a 5 gallon tank is not good. Another interesting fact is that the petcock on the Valk is not 100% reliable. I'm thinking about a failsafe solution here. Maybe a one way valve out of the Valks tank or an electrical interlock.

My Aux tank on my ex-back seat area WILL fill into my stock Beemer tank if I leave the bike tank valve open and the aux valve open when not running. need to remember to shut off the bike tank at least.
If both are full at a gas stop, you gotta remember to close the Aux valve.
but it is also a good thing. at rest I can top off my bike tank while in a rest area,by opening both valves, and then put fresh gas in the aux tank at the next stop.
on the road, if I go onto reserve with the bike tank, then I just open the aux tank valve and continue on.range is 300 miles +. but my tired butt dont last that long.

If you want to try using the fiberglass tank, I suggest that you use a product called "KREEM". You should be able to locate it in the magazine that deals with older bikes...need some help here, can't remember its name.
Good Luck...Newfiedad