DK Custom Billet Tank Lifts - New Sizes & Finish - Q&A

[DK Custom]

CNC Precision Cut Billet Tank Lift
New Sizes ~ New Finish

The New Style Billet Tanks Lifts are still the same shape, & covered by the same patent. But instead of being 3 pieces of steel, with 4 welds, they are precision cut from 6061 Billet Aluminum with a Stainless Steel Thread & Hardware.

We've been making Tank Lift Kits for well over a decade now. Ours have been different than the various flat metal designs. They are purpose-made, matching the lines of the bike, and have a Lifetime Warranty.

Over a million welds later, we've kept the same sleek design, while evolving the look & function further.

We've also added a 1" option And a Machine Cut Finish, which can be polished to a Mirror, or Chrome-like, finish. Of course, the Gloss Black Powder Coat finish is still available too.

We've been able to keep the price the same, while making a better looking, easier to install, & better fitting, design.

We hope you like them, and they meet your needs. We'll be posting photos, Q&A and general info in this thread.

LINK to the Billet Tank Lift Kits.

A few photos-

[DK Custom]

What is a Tank Lift & Why Do I Need One?

CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE

Excerpt from above link-

Another misconception about lifting the tank is that it creates a volume of un-used space at the front of tank. On most fuel tanks, there is already an unused "bubble" of air due to the depth of the filler tube. Fuel cannot fill past this recessed filler tube.



Notice that changing the angle of the tank does not effect fuel capacity. In Fact, on most models, you can squeeze in a little more.

[DK Custom]

Amazing Product Review by Jason

Great quality product and really helps improve the look of the bike (3in lift). Very straight forward install and in about 10 minutes complete from start to finish. Having a close to empty tank really helped too.

On top of great quality product, I ordered several products on a Sunday night and received a message that the order was placed on hold early Monday morning. I was contacted about part of my order not being necessary and how to accomplish the same thing without their product. It was also pointed out that my discount (10%) was not applied either. Saving a total of $35 on my order, great customer service!

[johnb111870]

Can This be made to work on a 1994 sportster? I love the look and have been to the DK site but don't want to buy something that isn't going to work.
1994 883 sportster
1275 Hammer big bore kit.
Barnett clutch.
Hammer primary chain tensioner.
Kuryakan velociraptor air cleaner.
High perf coil.
13MM SE plug wires.
Drag pipes

[DK Custom]

Originally Posted by johnb111870

Can This be made to work on a 1994 sportster? I love the look and have been to the DK site but don't want to buy something that isn't going to work.
1994 883 sportster
1275 Hammer big bore kit.
Barnett clutch.
Hammer primary chain tensioner.
Kuryakan velociraptor air cleaner.
High perf coil.
13MM SE plug wires.
Drag pipes

Back in those days HD was not real good at changes, year to year. The Tank Lifts will work on all 1995 & up. We've seen some 93's and 94's it will work with, and some it won't. Unfortunately, there is no way to know if it will work with yours or not, without looking/trying.

One thing is sure, if it will work, you will need the rubber grommet option that is in the drop down menu.

Thank you for looking at our parts!

Kevin

[johnb111870]

Kevin,
Thank you for replying I as far as I can tell do not have rubber mounts on my tank. I can send pics of it. I am willing to go a little further with the kit if needed to make it fit. My e-mail is baggett.john@ymail.com 614-813-2680. I am a home wrench, not much better than a parts changer. If this needs to be done by a true mechanic I can pay for it. I love the tank lift and know this is the look I want.

Thank you,
John

[DK Custom]

Originally Posted by johnb111870

Kevin,
Thank you for replying I as far as I can tell do not have rubber mounts on my tank. I can send pics of it. I am willing to go a little further with the kit if needed to make it fit. My e-mail is baggett.john@ymail.com 614-813-2680. I am a home wrench, not much better than a parts changer. If this needs to be done by a true mechanic I can pay for it. I love the tank lift and know this is the look I want.

Thank you,
John

Hi John,

Please send photo's of the front of your tank, where the tank ears bolt to the frame of the bike. Both sides. Also, the back of the tank, from below (use the flash or a flashlight) where the rear of the tank bolts to the frame.

Send them to Support@DKCustomProducts.com and put "Attention:Kevin" in the subject line.

We'll go from there.


Kevin

[DK Custom]

Will a Tank Lift affect my usable fuel capacity?

This is another frequently asked question.
Depending on the size of your tank ( 2.1 gallons-6 gallons) and the size tank lift, ( 1", 1.5”, 2”, 2.5”, or 3”), it could possibly reduce your usable capacity by ⅛ to ⅓ of a gallon

However, in the real world, most people do NOT run their tanks until they are dry.
Since that is the case there is no practical difference in usable capacity 99% of the time.

[DK Custom]

What size tank lift is best for my bike?

We literally get asked this question on a daily basis. The best answer is, we have no idea. I know, it sucks, but we don’t. Just because “Joe” has a Sportster 48 with Apes and “Frank” has a Sportster 48 with Apes, does not mean that the two inch tank lift will look the same on both. Lots of things factor into the look that you wouldn’t think about, such as the color of the bike, are the mirrors flipped, any other mods that are done, etc.

Also, Harleys are all hand assembled. This leaves plenty of variance in fitment, clearance, and tolerance.

So the question stands, “ How do I know which tank lift to get? ” It’s actually very simple. Since we always suggest that you check for clearance, you take a step back in this process and see what look YOU like on YOUR bike. Here are the steps:

1. With your bike on the kickstand, take the bolt out of the front of the tank.

2. Loosen (do not remove) the bolt at the rear of your tank.

3. Take a towel, or something to that nature, that is soft and won’t damage any kind of paint, and roll it up.

4. Take this roll, and place it between the backbone of the bike and the tank. You can adjust the thickness of this roll to adjust the height between 1", 1.5”, 2”, 2.5”, and 3” (Softails, and Tourings & even a 4" for a Sportster). For Dynas 2”, 2.5”, and 3”.

5. Then, take the handlebars and turn them all the way to the left, then turn them all the way back to the right, this ensures that there are no clearance issues.

By doing this, you are not only able to make sure that you can install the tank lift with no fitment issues, but you can also see the height at which you would like your tank lift.



Here is a video from our friends at Granite City Riders, showing the install process and why checking for clearance is important...

https://youtu.be/51vo2vE-BMg

[DK Custom]

Fitment Options, variables and the Deluxe Option (rear tank lift):


In Sportsters, (1995-2003) it is possible that your tank ears have “Rubber Grommets” , if this is the case, please let us know so that we can send the proper brackets to account for the extra length needed to go through those pieces. Also, in Dynas, ( most 2010 and up) have a curve in the tank ear. We also have separate brackets to fit those bikes, so we will need to know if your tank ears have this curve.

2009 and later Touring models that have the 6 gallon tank can only use a 1", 1.5" or 2" Lift. Even with the 2", if the handlebars are pulled back toward the rider at all, there will be a clearance issue. With the DELUXE OPTION you can get a little more room by moving the tank back & leveling it a bit.

The Deluxe option is especially useful on the pre- 2004 Sportsters because the factory rear tank design does not allow the front to be lifted more than 1.5” without this option. SOME 2010 and up Dynas have extra metal on the tank ear that prevents the Deluxe option from fitting.