Mini kegs?

[Sarge]

Anyone know much about 5 liter mini kegs? How strong are they? Do they compare to the pony or full size kegs? Need to modify something to add range to my bike and was thinking bout one of those.

Sarge

 

[Pat]

I've got an empty one right here...its pretty sturdy, but not near as strong as a real keg. I can make dents in the sides with my thumbs. Please further explain your idea...sounds interesting...

Pat

btw, sounds like a good excuse to go get one!

 

[Sarge]

Well my everyday ride is a 1997 Honda Magna with a HUGE gas tank measuring 3.6 gals. I usually hit reserve at 90 miles (if lucky) and can maybe do 110-115 to empty. Considering I have a few 1100 miles rides coming up this just wont do. There are two ways to make a bigger tank and both just aint cheap (think $800 or so).

Sooooooooo, I was walking thru a grocery store and saw a mini keg and realized that would add another gal or so. My idea was to get one, add a fill cap and vent to the top, plumb the bottom up to my bikes petcock and solve my problem. The tank would be mounted vice strapped down as well.

Another possible idea was mounting a fuel cell inside a mini keg if the keg isn't strong enough by itself.

I would either have to pick up an empty or invite some friends over as I can't drink beer. It makes my stomach bleed. uke: So they can empty the mini keg and I'll drink my single barrel bourbon. :wow:

Sarge

 

[Pat]

I don't think I'd use anything other than an official fuel carrying container/cell for that idea. I'd just be afraid something (rock) would puncture something lesser, like a mini keg, and that wouldn't be good. I would describe the mini keg as an oversized beer can with some structure.

but if you really want to look at it, try to come across an empty one.

would the larger replacement tank be worth it?

HTH

Pat

 

[Sarge]

Actually I'm also curious about the difference between the ones in the stores and the ones sold to home keggers. Those are made to be reused over and over.

As for the bigger tanks available, one option is to adapt HD tanks. One company does this, cost is a wee bit over $800 and there is at least a two week wait. I've heard mixed reviews on the results. The other option is to mate the tanks from my bike and a valkyrie. This requires some welding and fabricating which is the easy part. The hard part? Valk tanks run over $1000.

So sounds like I might be looking into using the mini keg as a cover for a fuel cell.

Sarge

 

[Beezil]

are you talking about a "cornelius keg' which is the maker of soda kegs?

is that what you mean by "mini keg"???

 

[Sarge]

Beezil,

Nope, looks like this.

 

[Beezil]

Beezil,

Nope, looks like this.

oh right! I see what you are talking about now....

sorry, i don't know a thing about them for your application....I don't know what they are rated for max psi but.....I know for a fact they could handle 30 psi easily, as most carbonated beverages are anywhere between 11psi and up if they are force-carbonated.....

maybe try a homebrewers forum to be sure?

 

[Beezil]

http://www.northernbrewer.com/mini-kegs.html

 

[acard]

Why not just carry a one gallon fuel container and strap it to the back? When you hit reserve on the fuel just pull over and pour the fuel in. Five bucks for a plastic fuel container seems cheap enough. I wouldn't carry any extra because I like to get off and strech my legs after riding for a hour or so. Just my $.02.
Aaron

 

[JnJ]

Would you have to worry about an Open Container Law?

 

[Sarge]

Why not just carry a one gallon fuel container and strap it to the back? When you hit reserve on the fuel just pull over and pour the fuel in. Five bucks for a plastic fuel container seems cheap enough. I wouldn't carry any extra because I like to get off and strech my legs after riding for a hour or so. Just my $.02.
Aaron

Whole idea is to not stop. Otherwise I'll just pull into a gas station. Got a bud who runs 7 gal tanks and carries a 4 gal fuel cell on his HD.

Sarge