Plastic/metal jerrycans in UK/Europe?

**Barry Johnson** · #1 30 Apr 2003

Hi all
10lt metal fuel jerrycans seem to be readily available at most army-surplus stores in the UK, but the only place I can find 5lt items is in the USA.

Also, I would prefer tough plastic items for their lighter weight but can't find these either! Anyone with any suggestions for a UK/Europe source of metal & plastic 5lt jerrycans and plastic 10lt jerrycans? Also I need the upright variety, not short squat ones.

I am planning to mount a 5lt jerry on either side of the engine of my XT, however I have concerns that this may cause overheating. Has anyone had experience with this?

Cheers

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Barry
3AJ Tenere

**POB/London** · #2 1 May 2003

Hi Barry - hope you're well.

I also want some 5l Jerries in plastic. They're mopre suited to mounting on the engine IMO, as they're lighter. Think carefully about your fittings though; it may be better to lightly engineer the Jerry mounts to promote jettisoning in a crash. I reckon plastic cans are more likely to stretch than split - a good thing?

In terms of overheating, it would only be a problem if airflow round the (finned) head is restricted. If you mount the cans in front of yr ankles, only covering unfinned cases, I doubt it would be a problem. Someone on this site has done this exact setup (can't remember where it is) and it's been discussed here before. If you search you may be able to find the old thread....

Let me know if you find any plastic Jerries in the UK - I was thinking about using ex-army water containers (they're plastic), but wasn't sure of the safety aspect...

**POB/London** · #3 1 May 2003

Sorry, forgot to mention some things: squat cans are better on the engine, as they don't affect head airflow.

Imagine a crash. Cans that are tightly secured to the bike split, running fuel and vapour over your headers / hot casings. Not good news, esp. if you're stuck underneath the bike!

HTH

**chris** · #4 2 May 2003

barry
check this site. great pics and story...

also pics of jerry cans mounted on front of bike:
http://www.bevaninafrica.co.za/

see you at the hu meet in june.
cheers
ChrisB

**Barry Johnson** · #5 2 May 2003

Hey Lewis

I think you're right saying squat ones are better. I was trying to avoid using them as they'd stick out more than flat ones, but after careful measurement I found the upright variety will not fit on the front of the bike without a) covering the finned part of the engine or b) sitting high and wide on either side of the tank.

I got my girlfriend's cheapo green plastic 5lt container and measured it against space on the bike. Hey presto, it fits:
- on either side of the engine without covering the fins or fouling the gear/brake levers or front wheel at max compression (lengthways down the bike)
- under the pillion footrests without going below the level of the bashplate
- above the pillion footrests (without pillion, of course)

And, when empty, they will fit on the pillion seat, on top of panniers/top-box and as tank saddlebags.

Most importantly, having fuel and water containers the same size means the weight can be distributed forward/back as needed. Neat. Will have to change my existing plans for the engine guards.

Had a look at Bevan's site - pretty cool. I recognise the Kiwi guy on the blue & white BMW from last year's HU meeting. Looks like Bevan's got a 10lt jerrycan mounted beside the engine. Must have worked as he didn't report any overheating and went through some pretty hot places, however it also looks like it would stick out in the wind quite a bit.

Will post pics when I've finally got it done. Picked up the dies for my tube-bender this week, hopefully will have to together and working in time to put some stuff together for the HU meeting.

Cheers

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Barry
3AJ Tenere