Sampson Fuel Cell - Not the Taildragger

dcarver said:

I'm confused.
And 2lMakers tank looks better to, just sayin'..

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Oops,

I was composing my post and didn't see yours.

Thanks Don.

If I could have raised a few bucks from the sale of that Tanji style tank I made, I would have finished this version which leaves the grab rails and trunk.

I don't want to steal any thunder from Sampson. They have a lot of experience and make really nice stuff. I thought it would be rude for me to hijack this thread.

... unless anyone is interested in what I had for dinner!

I'm confused and going to ask a probably dumb question. I looked at the Sampson site and the cell above fits either on the rails or on a pillion seat frame. How does rain stay out of the compartment area underneath, or run into the rider area where (for instance) I have a blue sea and electrics hooked up?

ShinyPartsUp said:

I'm confused and going to ask a probably dumb question. I looked at the Sampson site and the cell above fits either on the rails or on a pillion seat frame. How does rain stay out of the compartment area underneath, or run into the rider area where (for instance) I have a blue sea and electrics hooked up?

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It won't! Water will get everywhere in heavy rain even with the seat on. Any electrical on any bike needs to be designed with this in mind.

ShinyPartsUp said:

I'm confused and going to ask a probably dumb question. I looked at the Sampson site and the cell above fits either on the rails or on a pillion seat frame. How does rain stay out of the compartment area underneath, or run into the rider area where (for instance) I have a blue sea and electrics hooked up?

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Some water will get in no matter what you do if you ride in heavy rain.

If you look back at first post you will see that I made side covers out of acrylic, sanded them and painted the inside black. These are more for cosmetics then water.

I have plenty of electronics and havent had any problems. I have had this for a few years now about 30000 miles without any issues. And it has been through some inetnse rain. ( I rode in the Spank 09 )

(Logged in under the wrong name...hubby's account)

loomer said:

(Logged in under the wrong name)

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Didn't realize my hubby had logged me out & logged himself in - now lets try this under my login!

If a group buy is still in the works, count me in! I don't think running the IBR without aux was a detriment until Leg 3, when I entered ethanol country and my fuel economy dropped by as much as 20%. I had to drop a couple far-flung bonii because all those extra fuel stops just kept sucking time off my clock. Not next time, oh, no...

Interested in a group buy, but would like to see others opinions on Sampson's or Tog Gun's https://www.fjrgoodies.com/topgun.cfm model. Perhaps, some LD guys could pipe in.

Dave

My 2 cents on this.. take it for what its worth.

If you looking to just add some capacity, the Sampson passenger seat tank will do that. It will give you 3.9 gallons, and in some peoples opinions will look better than your typical rectangular fuel cell. However, it will NOT fit with a Givi topcase. You will have to relocate the topcase back just a tad to clear the fuel cell.

If you are looking for maximum fuel capacity based on the 2009 IBR rules, then the Sampson tail dragger or the BLM (Top Gun) fuel cell is the way to go. Both of these will bring to much closer to the max fuel allowed per the IBR rules.

If you are looking to add capacity, have some skills, and want to save money, go find yourself a 4 gallon JAZ fuel cell and mount it where the passenger seat goes. You'll probably spend half the money as the other premade solutions, and you will gain considerable distance.

Keep in mind the 11.5 gallon max is ONLY for the Iron Butt RALLY not for any other rallies, or Iron Butt Association rides. If you are not entering in the Iron Butt Rally then you do NOT need to worry about this limit. If you are entering any other rallies, you should email those rally masters and ask what their requirements are.

vectervp1 said:

My 2 cents on this.. take it for what its worth.
If you looking to just add some capacity, the Sampson passenger seat tank will do that. It will give you 3.9 gallons, and in some peoples opinions will look better than your typical rectangular fuel cell. However, it will NOT fit with a Givi topcase. You will have to relocate the topcase back just a tad to clear the fuel cell.

If you are looking for maximum fuel capacity based on the 2009 IBR rules, then the Sampson tail dragger or the BLM (Top Gun) fuel cell is the way to go. Both of these will bring to much closer to the max fuel allowed per the IBR rules.

If you are looking to add capacity, have some skills, and want to save money, go find yourself a 4 gallon JAZ fuel cell and mount it where the passenger seat goes. You'll probably spend half the money as the other premade solutions, and you will gain considerable distance.

Keep in mind the 11.5 gallon max is ONLY for the Iron Butt RALLY not for any other rallies, or Iron Butt Association rides. If you are not entering in the Iron Butt Rally then you do NOT need to worry about this limit. If you are entering any other rallies, you should email those rally masters and ask what their requirements are.

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I have mine with a GIVI v46 but I used a mount from SW mototech which made it work out with the Sampson fuel cell.

That's why it works. I had one of those cells for a short time (until I could get them to return it for lying to me), and I can tell you from personal experience, it will not work with with a Givi rack and a V46 case.

I'm intending to put a cell on this winter also, but have not decided which one or where. I don't like giving up my pillon seat but I also don't want to rely on any electronics that are not required (pump).

Hey TriggerT.... I think we have something to talk about at CFO in a couple days.

To the point of water getting in there. My friend with an LT gave me a good idea, he bought a sheet of vinyl and stitched some velco to it after shaping it to the tank and bike. it is not waterproof of course but does a really good job of deflecting a large portion of the water.

vectervp1 said:

Keep in mind the 11.5 gallon max is ONLY for the Iron Butt RALLY not for any other rallies, or Iron Butt Association rides. If you are not entering in the Iron Butt Rally then you do NOT need to worry about this limit. If you are entering any other rallies, you should email those rally masters and ask what their requirements are.

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IIRC Steve Chalmers' 1088 & 10-in-10 rallies both have an 11.5 gal limit. IMHO it's better to not go over 11.5 unless you know you won't be doing any rallies that limit you to 11.5.

I have never heard anything back form the folks at Sampson. I will chase them again after I get back from EOM (Yes, plans changed and I am going to EOM instead of CFO) and let you all know what I find out, if anything.

I looked at the Summit Racing web site and they have a lot of fuel cells in various sizes and shapes for reasonable prices. I'm going to keep watching this thread to see how it turns out, but Sampson is going to have to come up with a very good price to compete with what I could make from one the cells at Summit.

I believe this is the fuel cell IronMaiden runs on her bike. If I can find pics of it, I'll post them... or maybe she'll jump in and post some. The mount was custom made to fit over the pillion seat and she made her own fuel cell cover to make it look less fugly.

Summit Racing 4 gallon cell



Anyway, my point is you don't need to buy a custom one off cell if you don't want to. You can buy off the shelf products that will still increase you range for a reasonable price.

Hey Trigger I know Ron Sampson, (He live really close ) make sure you find me at EOM.

R

vectervp1 said:

I believe this is the fuel cell IronMaiden runs on her bike. If I can find pics of it, I'll post them... or maybe she'll jump in and post some. The mount was custom made to fit over instead of the pillion seat and she made her own fuel cell cover to make it look less fugly.Summit Racing 4 gallon cell

Anyway, my point is you don't need to buy a custom one off cell if you don't want to. You can buy off the shelf products that will still increase you range for a reasonable price.

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The only way to improve on that idea would be to mount it upside down. <Link>

It's too bad CFO is so close. I can get there and back on a tank of gas (if I behave); otherwise, finishing this might have been a higher priority.

Fairlaner said:

Hey Trigger I know Ron Sampson, (He live really close ) make sure you find me at EOM. wink wink nudge nugde Know what I mean? Eh? Know what I mean?
R

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Iron Maidens cover was made for her by Linda T as memory serves. I have several really good pictures of her set up, and like it a lot. Depending on what Sampson comes up with, that would be my 2nd choice.

I received a reply from Sampson today, and they are working on putting together some kind of pricing structure. I will formally post a group buy as soon as I have all the details from Sampson.

TriggerT said:

Iron Maidens cover was made for her by Linda T as memory serves. I have several really good pictures of her set up, and like it a lot. Depending on what Sampson comes up with, that would be my 2nd choice.

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You might be right. The original she had on there was a homebrew she made up. I know at one point she was talking to LindaT about a fuel cell cover, so she may have gotten one and I hadnt really noticed.

When I spoke to Lisa at NAFO, the only thing she said she might have done different on the cover was to have a first-aid pocket on the top of the fuel cell cover, with a big red cross on it. Attach it with Velcro, and if you happen upon an accident, you can grab and go.