Lemans 1 metal tank on my V7C

[mwrenn]

Well, I'm just gonna say it, I don't like the plastic tank on my V7c. I replaced it in the past with a WBO racing alloy tank, but then had the deer encounter and really bent up the alloy. So, in rebuilding my V7c, I have decided to go with a steel LeMans 1 fuel tank with an external fuel pump and filter. For a fuel pump I plan to use a Bosch #0580464048 or a Napa
Carter/Federal #P72018. I will use the stock fuel filter, and I plan on using this fuel pressure regulator: http://www.hksusa.com/images/?id=2289.
I will of course use fuel injection hose for the plumbing, and I have removed the airbox, so there is plenty of room for the new setup. I plan to use the petcock bosses in the tank for supply/return lines.
I realize I will loose the low fuel light, maybe I will weld a boss in for the thermistor later.
I will gain an extra gallon of fuel capacity, and have a metal tank which I prefer.
Hopefully when Todd is better he can help me sort the fuel injection out, as I am running K&N pods for air filtration.
Any comments welcome, especially if have have forgotten anything that is crucial!
Cheers.

[sandy]

Hate to say it, but the 2012 V7's are going to have steel tanks.
This might be the easier answer to your issue

[mwrenn]

I know Sandy, but who knows when they will be available over here? And they will still have the internal pump and filter in the tank. Truth be told I like the internal pump, an elegant design, but the filter is just a show stopper for me.
I am curious if anyone knows what the capacity of the 2012 tanks will be?
Cheers!

[sign216]

The 2012 tanks are supposed to have greater capacity.
But the cost? I shudder.
The Lemans tank is here now, and probably cheaper, although making it fit is a pain.

My plastic tank hasn't done me wrong so I'm ok with it. The external fuel filter is an attraction, though.

[sandy]

I know Sandy, but who knows when they will be available over here? And they will still have the internal pump and filter in the tank.Cheers!

From what I can see, the tank is identical and I doubt they would have gone to all the expense of relocating the fuel pump, when it works just fine from inside the tank.
Personally I have no issues with plastic tanks.
They are lighter, and won't dent or rust internally.
I see no advantage to steel tanks at all.

[mwrenn]

Well, if the plastic tank just had more capacity, I would be fine with it. The internal filter is a small bother, but not that big a deal. But riding here in Oklahoma, the winds are enough to dramatically affect the range of the bike. I have had the fuel light come on in 120 miles just because I was riding into a 25 mph headwind. Windy conditions exist here most of the riding season.
I figure since I bought the bike back from the insurance company, it's a blank slate. It will be a fun project anyway.

[sandy]

There's a guy my side of the pond in Scotland who specialises in ally tanks for classic bikes.
He hand builds them to whatever spec you require.
I phoned him and he said building an ally tank for my bike would be no problem.
All he needed was my fuel tank for the measurements, and yes, the fuel pump would be sited inside the tank as per the original.
Then my warranty claim came through and I didn't need to bother, but it's definitely the route I'd go down if I wanted a metal tank.
Not too expensive either.
Look at the Guzzi tab at the top of this page.
http://www.thetankshop.com/