Dax Friction Drive alternative fuel tanks

happycheapskate · Apr 26, 2012

The Dax Friction drive is great, but most of the engines that fit this bike are 2 stroke pull-start engines like auger, generator, and commercial lawn equipment engines that either don't come with fuel tanks, or come with small fuel tanks (around 700 mL)

If you have a tank or system of 1-5 Liters that is reliable for Dax Friction Drive users, please compile that info here.

stock tank on Tanaka 33

Since I got this bike done I have been relying on the stock tank and either a 20 oz soda bottle or 2 in the cargo box, or a stainless steel 750mL can as a reserve. That works, but the fuel makes the plastic cap swell up a little bit, so it has to be pushed in and turned instead of just spinning on like when new.

750mL can

happycheapskate · Apr 26, 2012

Here is a half gallon tank, for $10. with vented fuel cap (you can seal if you need to).
No joke! Free super saver shipping on Amazon.

Universal Fluid Reservoir, Plastic, White, 6 in. Wide x 4 in. Deep x 5 in. Tall, Universal, Each

This will mount via the bottom tab and one top tab, to the Dax FD tension straps. (you have to drill 2 holes for 1/4 bolts). Since the straps will angle back at about the same degree, the cap will be nearly level. This will keep the weight balanced and down low! Each can will weigh about 5 lb when full. You will have to drill the top of the tank for a small 2 hole weedeater type grommet ($.75 each at mower stores everywhere).

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ao7eCCNSL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
http://www.amazon.com/Dorman-603-001-Coolant-Reservoir-Bottle/dp/B000E35UV2/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
Dorman universal coolant tank with screw on cap about 65 oz capacity.

You can epoxy off the bottom drain holes, or add short hose and inline fuel shutoff, for tank drains.

happycheapskate · Apr 26, 2012

I have been working hard to research this stuff, to give you Dax Friction Drive fans plenty of fuel options! If you are replacing your car to get to work or town, filling up the little tank gets old!

Here is a website for factory direct sales of universal coolant /chemical tanks, nice opaque white tanks with thick plastic and mounting tabs, about $10-15 for tank and universal cap, plus shipping.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=23334&catid=578

examples:
1 gallon tank with tabs on side
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=31881&catid=578

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/images/products/Tanks/sku/8663p.jpg

4 Quart Natural Tank w/Mounting Tabs 8.632"L X 4.173"W X 9.842"H (2-1/4" Neck)

To mount this tank, you can buy a $2 thick plastic cutting board, saw off the handle for a square board, and drill in the corners to match the non motor side of the FD. Drill a hole for the pivot bolt of the Friction drive, so it rotates with the drive channel. Drill 2 holes to match the forward most 2 holes where the engine pattern is already drilled. (EDIT: Mine has a 1/2" hole near the 4 slotted holes, presumably for engines with a 5 bolt pattern or 3+1 pattern, or maybe for routing wires/lines. That will work also. ) You will need bolts, nuts and/or washers to space out the board like the engine, so it clears the tension strap. It can rest against the outside of the tension strap.

The plastic will be very good for installing sheet metal screws or allen head screws to mount the 1 gallon tank. It's weight will hang down from the pivot bolt and 2 locating bolts, so the tank will not sway. The 1 gallon tank can be plumbed to the stock tank if you wish, either as primary or secondary.

I am waiting on this to arrive and will post photos/how to.

http://cyclehappy.com/13-75-thickbo...ka-pf-4000-398-cc-22-hp-two-cycle-engine-.jpg

happycheapskate · Apr 26, 2012

See my photo album for more about this. This is a custom made front or rear (preferably rear! It's big, 5 x 10x 6'' )

This will strap readily to conventional bike cargo racks.

You can run it to a NT speed carb or 1/4" ID line barb on any carb with a $1
adapter (look in my album)

You can push the button to relieve excess pressure or vacuum, but you need to use a tank overpressure vent.

thatsdax · Apr 26, 2012

Any Engine with the 76mm 3 inch clutch will fit this system. That includes 4 strokes, Honda, Titan, Subaru and others.. As for larger tank, you can get 2 liter, 3 liter, and even 4 liter peanut or teardrop tanks to mount to your top bar and simply run a fuel line along the top bar to your motor. Since the Top bar is higher than the carb, it will work for gravity feed carbs as well. Enjoy the ride..

Dirt Road Cowboy · Apr 26, 2012

I'm still running the stock tank and 2 - 30oz MSR fuel bottles on my FD.

I will be mounting an ammo can on the right side of the bike for tools and stuff, so I haven't decided where or how I want to mount a bigger tank. I don't like the little HT kit peanut tank, and I don't really want anything on the top bar anyway.

I like seeing the alternatives. Maybe it will give me some ideas to try.

Thanks for starting this thread!

cvlt1

.

happycheapskate · Apr 26, 2012

Yes, that works well for many people. You have the tanks, too, on your website for the friction drives. http://www.thatsdax.com/ENGINE_KIT_PARTS_PAGE_3.html

http://www.thatsdax.com/sitebuilder/images/MVC-001L46-404x232.jpg

I personally don't like the peanut tanks though because they impede top tube cable routing and pedaling on my bike. Longer frames or longer top tubes work good.

It is a good low $ fix though. People have plumbed the peanut tanks to 1/4" fuel barbs added via threaded coupler bonded in the top of the stock tank.

I have devised this for running trimmer fuel line into a 1/4" fuel line.
http://motorbicycling.com/album.php?albumid=531&pictureid=4123

(pull the hose all the way through for best result, ignore the air vent its from something else)

thatsdax said:
Any Engine with the 76mm 3 inch clutch will fit this system. That includes 4 strokes, Honda, Titan, Subaru and others.. As for larger tank, you can get 2 liter, 3 liter, and even 4 liter peanut or teardrop tanks to mount to your top bar and simply run a fuel line along the top bar to your motor. Since the Top bar is higher than the carb, it will work for gravity feed carbs as well. Enjoy the ride..

happycheapskate · Apr 26, 2012

Here are some metal 50cal cans for $14.88 each, and $20 2qt tanks with bottom 1/4 petcocks. http://motorbicycling.com/showpost.php?p=384022&postcount=23

Here is a DIY idea

http://motorbicycling.com/picture.php?albumid=531&pictureid=4125 fuel cell array to fit in ammo cans.

G Man center mount 2 tab 3,4,5 quart go kart tanks with petcock $25

http://www.cometkartsales.com/store/chassis/cpa/images/5qttartank.jpg

Dirt Road Cowboy said:
I'm still running the stock tank and 2 - 30oz MSR fuel bottles on my FD.

I will be mounting an ammo can on the right side of the bike for tools and stuff, so I haven't decided where or how I want to mount a bigger tank. I don't like the little HT kit peanut tank, and I don't really want anything on the top bar anyway.

I like seeing the alternatives. Maybe it will give me some ideas to try.

Thanks for starting this thread!

.

flmotorbikes · Apr 27, 2012

Try staton-inc.com fuel tanks he has a few of them

wheelbender6 · Apr 27, 2012

I saw one guy with a DIY friction drive that mounted a 1 qt motor oil bottle in his frame for a fuel tank. It looked pretty good.

Dirt Road Cowboy · Apr 27, 2012

There's always these:

http://www.rotopax.com/

http://www.coyote-gear.com/index.html

And quite a few more. Just use your imagination, and there are a lot of suitable containers.

.

happycheapskate · Apr 27, 2012

That's nice, but a $100 for a gas can and bracket is too high.

I made this for cheap:
Gas can $6
Grommet $1
filters $10
Hose $20

You could do cheaper with some black hose and grommets and filters off your stock tank, or a trash picked weeder.

This works well, but I am going to install a tall, flatter tank on the right rear side of the Dax kit, when it comes in the mail.

Dirt Road Cowboy said:
There's always these:

http://www.rotopax.com/

http://www.coyote-gear.com/index.html

And quite a few more. Just use your imagination, and there are a lot of suitable containers.

.

happycheapskate · Apr 27, 2012

Motor oil cans are awful! The sides are thin, the caps do not seal well at all, and they crumple/implode horribly if they only have a pressure vent, when the gas cools off.

The 1 L Pedialyte/Walmart Parents Choice bottle works well, and has grooves that fit zip ties really well. Get the grape one and pour some in your soda or lemonade, it's pretty good. Or ask a mom with toddlers for a couple bottles.

happycheapskate · Apr 30, 2012

This tank came in the mail (USPS) today, hand delivered.

This looks great! The caps were really good. I ordered 2, one with a tether, and the other with finger grips, both vented. Instead of just a hole in the top and a metal clip like on old Briggs motors, this is really deluxe, with underside vents leading to a small channel inside, and a notch in the thick rubber seal. The tethered cap looks really good too. The bottle is THICK plastic, and the tabs are very strong!

I will do the installation later and post video or pictures.

happycheapskate said:
I have been working hard to research this stuff, to give you Dax Friction Drive fans plenty of fuel options! If you are replacing your car to get to work or town, filling up the little tank gets old!

Here is a website for factory direct sales of universal coolant /chemical tanks, nice opaque white tanks with thick plastic and mounting tabs, about $10-15 for tank and universal cap, plus shipping.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=23334&catid=578

examples:
1 gallon tank with tabs on side
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=31881&catid=578

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/images/products/Tanks/sku/8663p.jpg

4 Quart Natural Tank w/Mounting Tabs 8.632"L X 4.173"W X 9.842"H (2-1/4" Neck)

To mount this tank, you can buy a $2 thick plastic cutting board, saw off the handle for a square board, and drill in the corners to match the non motor side of the FD. Drill a hole for the pivot bolt of the Friction drive, so it rotates with the drive channel. Drill 2 holes to match the forward most 2 holes where the engine pattern is already drilled. (EDIT: Mine has a 1/2" hole near the 4 slotted holes, presumably for engines with a 5 bolt pattern or 3+1 pattern, or maybe for routing wires/lines. That will work also. ) You will need bolts, nuts and/or washers to space out the board like the engine, so it clears the tension strap. It can rest against the outside of the tension strap.

The plastic will be very good for installing sheet metal screws or allen head screws to mount the 1 gallon tank. It's weight will hang down from the pivot bolt and 2 locating bolts, so the tank will not sway. The 1 gallon tank can be plumbed to the stock tank if you wish, either as primary or secondary.

I am waiting on this to arrive and will post photos/how to.

http://sadpanda.us/images/935292-Q051M44.jpg[/img
[url]http://cyclehappy.com/13-75-thickbox/friction-drive-rear-mount-for-bicycle-tanaka-pf-4000-398-cc-22-hp-two-cycle-engine-.jpg[/url][/QUOTE]

happycheapskate · May 1, 2012

http://youtu.be/d2Gb5-LPZvo demo video

Dirt Road Cowboy · May 1, 2012

I like that setup Happy.

Maybe I'll have to do something like that, and mount my ammo/tool box on top of the FD.

Good work!

.

happycheapskate · May 1, 2012

Walmart has a gray color-infused plastic cutting board for $10. Get the nice one when you cut up the old one so the wife doesn't get mad! ;-)

happycheapskate · May 6, 2012

I've done a few test rides already, and it works great. The bike felt very stable because the fuel weight is low and close to the frame. It's also really nice to be able to fill up at the gas station. You can carry a small container with your 2 cycle oil, pour it in the tank, and add gas from the nozzle, it mixes up well. Then when you run the bike it mixes even more finely.

You can also add stickers to the fuel tank if you are careful not to spill gas on them and make them peel later.

happycheapskate · May 7, 2012

If you buy this tank and cap system, buy the NON vented cap. If you decide you need a vent and aren't using the grommet to locate the vent, you can drill a pinhole in the cap some where. The caps are only a few bucks, so you could just buy one of each.

Wish they had this a week ago!

I just found these brass fuel line tee connectors. (email from US Plastics after my order, saying these were now in stock).

The size is .096 on the barb, so it should fit my stretchy Tygon fuel line, which looks to be about 1/16 (0.062) to 3-16 (0.187) ID. It fit on the fuel barbs of the carb ok, and fit on a 3/16" fuel filter barb. The Tees are 1" long so they can fit somewhere around the carb and small tank, probably will rubber strap them to something to prevent any bouncing.

If you use Tees in your lines, you should be able to draw all the fuel from both tanks.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/images/products/Fitting/61854p.jpg

Item No. Description Qty List Price Your Price* Total
61854
5/32"OD/.096"ID X 5/32"OD/.096"ID X 5/32"OD/.096"ID Tube Dubl-Barb® Brass Union Tee
Comments: 2 $3.06 $3.06 $6.12
*Unit prices may differ due to rounding; discounts are applied at the line item level.
Order Totals
Sub Total: $6.12
Shipping & Handling: $5.84
Shipping Method: via USPS Priority Mail®
Tax: $0.00
Grand Total: $11.96

happycheapskate · May 17, 2012

Hard-to-find brass t-connectors for weedeater fuel line!
Now, I have finished my dual tank system (stock tank plus 1 gallon chemical tank seen in previous posts). Now I can use either or both tanks. dance1

The Tygon medium fuel line worked ok on these barbs. They were just right. The next barb size up would also work, but line that has been stretched must be trimmed to stay tight on this size barbs.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/574854_2153631858254_1770170043_1063437_654471061_n.jpg

http://www.usplastic.com/images/emailtemplateheaderlogo.jpg

61854 2 Each $3.06 $3.06 $6.12 5/32"OD/.096"ID X 5/32"OD/.096"ID X 5/32"OD/.096"ID Tube Dubl-Barb® Brass Union Tee

Totals
Order Subtotal $6.12
Shipping and Handling $5.84
Tax $0.00
OrderTotal (USD) $11.96

Dax Friction Drive alternative fuel tanks

Friction drive users, how much gas do you need to carry on your bike?

20 oz/0.6 L , the stock weeder type tank is fine, or a fuel bottle

50 oz/1.2 L , such as a goped tank plus the stock type tank

96 oz/2.8 L, such as a 3 quart go-kart tank or happy time peanut tank

1 Gallon, such as a coolant/chemical reservoir or blitz can

MORE than 1 gallon (maybe your stock tank plus a gas can to fill it up or describe yours

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