I have a 2002 sportster and I'm sure it is possible or has been done before, but I want to put a 5 gallon softail tank on my bike instead of the 3.6 gallon fat bob tanks. I am just wondering if anyone of you have done that and could maybe tell me what it takes, or if it is even possible.
Thanks!

I have a 06 1200 custom with a 4.5 gallon tank stock first year for that.
I'm sure that would fit being that it's a sportster

I remember last year Frozen Hog put a 5 gal flatside on his '95. There are a few pictures from others (FH never did put a pic of his up, despite our numerous requests/pleas/threats), but there is some tech info in what to watch for. Here's the link to the thread, in case you're interested: http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=41715.

thanks alot for the help!

If you do get a bigger tank on your sporty don't forget post some progress pictures.
Everyone is interested.
Hell I know I am.

I definately will post some pictures! i just need to know a little about how to actually do it, so it doesn't turn out to be a disaster story instead.

You might have to buy the piece that welds to the top tube to mount your flatside tanks.

I just finished putting an 05 fatboy tank on my 04 883 very straight forward installation took me about an hour I'll see about posting some pics if you're interested?

I just finished putting an 05 fatboy tank on my 04 883 very straight forward installation took me about an hour I'll see about posting some pics if you're interested?



I'm interested. How many gallons does the fatboy tank hold?

Awaiting pics!

This is a "Custom Chrome" 4.5 gal stretched tank made for sportsters.
http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/6673/bettywithfootpegs001dp0.jpg

Heres some pics of my bike with the softail tank on it. Please dont mind the primer I'm repainting the whole bike this weekend. Major overhaul this week on the bike spoked fron wheel just put the nightrain rear on it last night. But any way the 1st shot is the front brackets that are made from 1/8" stainless.
http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/medium/DSC00110.JPG
They use the factory tank bolt up top and two short ones to the tank themselves. The second shot is the rear mount a softail uses one bolt to hold the rear down so I just drilled and tapped a hole the frame for a bolt to hold it.
http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/medium/DSC00111.JPG
The rest is just rerouting the fuel line and installin a crossover line for the front of the tank. I had previously relocated my coil but i does appear as though this setup my clear the coil in its original location. I mouted the tank a has as I could in the front and still have the bars clear longer brackets in the front would lower it if you don't like it this high.
http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/medium/DSC00109.JPG
http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/medium/DSC000901.JPG

Cam front pegs are an interesting touch. Very original never seen that before.

Cam front pegs are an interesting touch. Very original never seen that before.

Good catch on that....there is a use for them stock twin-cam cams....

I was lucky enough to find in ebay a gas tank from a 1980 XLS Roadster :)
4 gallon plus tach on the console.

Hey, I put a sportster tank on my big twin. I think I got it backwards.

The Sportster stock 4.5 is a simple bolt on. It can be stretched. I wouldn't bother for 1/2 gal but then I don't live in Nevada either. I put a Custom Chrome 4.5 on my 99 and never put more than 3.9 gals of gas in it.

Good catch on that....there is a use for them stock twin-cam cams....

Thier actually a small block chevy cam I machined down and center drilled to drop some of the weight off of them. Thanks though it always takes people a little while to notice them.

I like the big tank I wanna do similar to mine.
Dig the cam footpegs.
Be good to see it once she is painted.

Has anyone tried to put one of the new rubber mount larger tanks on a
older frame mounted EVO say a 2003 or earlier

JP cycles sells an adapter for the sporty to flatside tank conversion you want to do. Here is my 94 with 5 gal. flatsides on it.
It is fairly easy, except the kit comes with a clamp to hold the rear of the adapter to the frame. it never got tight enough for me so I took it and gave it the heave ho and just drilled a small hole thru the bracket and frame to hold it down. Other than that is was very straight forward and easy no welding or nuthin'.
hope this helps.

My avatar shows a 3.9 stretched tank complete with the dash for the electronic speedo, ignition switch and all for my 98. Complete kit was under 300 from Jireh Cycles. You do have to paint and prep the tank and I had to change petcocks from the stock to a 90. If someone can tell me how to post an attachment, I can show a better pic.

Been a little busy got the bikedone, nightrain rear wheel 40 spoke front wheel bobbed the rear fender shorter and eliminated the tailight. I figured I'd post the final product.

http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/DSC00158.JPG

http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/DSC001571.JPG

Looks good..

so it's A Sportstail ? or a softster ?

how do you like the rear wheel, thats the one I'm thinkin of switchin mine out too....anything special to swap or bolt on