Fuel tank.

[fatpies]

Saw a guy at the news agent/corner shop thing get off a BMW thing lift up his tank and put something in it. Or in the storage area where the tank normally is.

I thought how odd you know to have the fuel tank under the seat.

But then I thought hold on why exactly is the fuel tank between your crotch anyway? Why was it never under the seat as standard 100 or so years ago?

Is it tradition that we have the fuel tank between the legs? Like how narrow gauge railway became standard because thats what we always used.?

Yes another boring Friday evening in by myself.
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[Quornholio]

The fuel goes into the frame on a Buell. Fnarr fnarr

[Shaft]

I suspect it's because early motorbikes were just cycles with an engine in; the space under the saddle was taken up by engine and gubbins, plus they used gravity feed fuelling, so you put the tank high up on the crossbar.
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[Kickstart]

Hi

Fair few bikes have had petrol tanks under the seat. Some have had the petrol tank in the belly pan. Few late 1980s Gileras had a helmet storage space where the conventional petrol tank would be.

Not sure why having it between the riders legs got to be so standard, except that it saves any requirement for a fuel pump. Can just use a gravity feed.

As to railways, 4'8.5" is standard gauge and has been for many years. And was legislated to be in the 19th century (hence the GWR moved from broad gauge to standard gauge). 4'8.5" is pretty standard throughout the world.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[fatpies]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Broad gauge, as compared to standard gauge . Broad gauge came along later and was used in a small minority of UK. Narrow gauge is usually taken as being smaller than 4'8.5" standard gauge.

Technically broad gauge possibly was better, but would also be a lot more expensive to build (need bigger tunnels and embankments, etc). And major problems trans shipping from all the standard gauge railways.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[yambabe]

vmax has a petrol tank under the seat, it's a right PITA to fill up when we are on a long run and carrying luggage cos he has to move it all then put it back every time.

Still, it gives me plenty of time to stretch my legs and/or go to the loo!
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[dansrockin]

my current bike, vmax, and my last bike, a paneuropean have got underseat tanks.

[Cheeseybeaner]

Weight distribution and practicality as much as anything else I would say.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

More of the "conventional" tanks actually come a little bit under the seat anyway, since larger and larger airboxes are taking up space in the bit you lean over.
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[Dazbo666]