Carrying extra petrol?

**locodog** · #1 4 Oct 2004

Hi,
I need advice on carrying lotsa extra fuel for a 600km cross country trip.
I ride a R60/6 with a std. 17litre tank from which I get about 230km). I'd like to replace that with a much bigger plastic tank. Any thoughts on this?
Secondly, I'm going to have to carry more petrol in jerry cans. I want to avoid using those large steel jerries because of the weight. I'll probably use two 15 litre plastic cans. Where's the best place to carry these, bearing in mind I don't want them down low near the exhausts or cylinders.
I'd appreciate any advice.
I'm hoping to ride a remote track between the NE corner of South Africa across an empty stretch of central Mozambique to the sea.
The route is a little over 600km long and there is not a single drop of gas en route. Nix, nada, nothing...
The road is hard dirt so I don't anticipate any hard slogging through soft sand or mud.
Thanks in advance for your help.
cheers
Paul

**Frank Warner** · #2 5 Oct 2004

You should get around 20km/l. At around 80km/h.

So your 17l standard tank should get you 340 km. 230 km sounds a little short (13.5km/l !!! I only got that on sand dunes - with perished rubber diaphrams!) - is this at a higher speed? When did you last replace the needle, jet and seat?

44 l if you cannot do better -
30 l if you can get 20km/l !!! Around 11 kgs less weight to carry. Spend some time and money reduceing your fuel consumption!

What I did to get a 1,000 km range -
Installed a large fuel tank - that got me 680 km. Then I put two plastic 10 litre containers on either side of the main tank in army disposal back packs. These were cheap and reliable. If you get your consumption back to 20km/l then the standard tank with these tow 10l contaniers would do the job leaving the rear free for food, water and camping gear.

See http://www.geocities.com/fwarner_au/...aug/index.html for some photos.

**locodog** · #3 6 Oct 2004

Good knowledge, thanks for speedy reply.
I checked everything over a few months ago with the local Boxer man and we found nothing amiss, but I'll have another look.
Consumption could be bad because I'm commuting in heavy traffic.
Thanks for the advice. I checked out your site - great ride!
cheers
Paul

**Frank Warner** · #4 7 Oct 2004

Go on a trip then - see what your consumption is at say 80km/h or 100 km/h. But 13.5km/l is way poor! Is your ignition advance working?

**locodog** · #5 7 Oct 2004

Hi Frank,
Ja, everything's OK. But do have an electronic ignition unit which I'd like to fit some time when I get some time. One problem that has plagues me is chronic pinking which persists no matter how much I adjust the timing.
I use 100 octane fuel (as recommended by various Boxer gurus) - no difference.
It's driving me nuts.
Going to get some bugs in my teeth this w/e. Will let ya know.
cheers and thanks
Paul

**Grant Johnson** · #6 7 Oct 2004

locodog,

I'm a little surprised your "experts" didn't mention that the R60/6 is NOTORIOUS for pinging. In an ffort to get more performance out of the 600cc engine, BMW bumped the compression - bad move. If there is any carbon in the combustion chamber, and you're not using 1970's high octane leaded fuel, yep, they ping. The carbs are also very poor, and they don't help it any.

The only easy cure I know of is to add the base late (aluminum plate, plus gasket on both sides, genuine BMW parts) to drop the compression a bit, along with a thorough combustion chamber cleaning. A better cure is an R75/80 top-end, which you should be able to find at a pretty reasonable price used.

Good luck,

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**Grant Johnson** · #7 7 Oct 2004

By the way, a common reason for bad fuel mileage (when everything

has been checked) is worn jet needles and needle jets. They should be relaced about every 30,000 miles or 50,000 km minimum.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**locodog** · #8 11 Oct 2004

Hi Grant,
Nah, my "experts" haven't said a thing about the 60/6's reputation for pinging. At least I have something with which I can berate them now!
I will rexamine my needles and jets, too :-(
Thanks for the info - surfing the HUBB is like a gold strike, every time.
cheers
Paul

**mcluretaylor** · #9 16 Oct 2004

Hi
Sounds an amazing route. I assume you can get water along the route or else you would have to carry that as well, right, at say 5 litres perday !

LOve to know as might follow your route nest year.

dave

**locodog** · #10 18 Oct 2004

Hi Dave,
Ja, plenty of water en route. There are a couple of villages and I am told that getting cold Laurentina

on the way is a real possibility!
Drop me a line at ashp@sundaytimes.co.za or wheeltapper@yahoo.com and I'll send you info. It's a great road, I'm told, all the more special for being a traffic-free, two-track trans-African road.
cheers
Paul