travel oil container

[ukjules]

I am planning another EU motorbike tour
and wanted to know how you guys carry spare oil ?

I use soft bags strapped to back of bike and
those normal 1l oil cartons leak or an be crushed.

Surely a fellow obsessive has thought about and
solved this ?
What carton do you use ?

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Does Oil not come in plastic bottles with a screw-on cap in the UK. I carry this type of container in my bike bag all the time. Hasn't leaked, even after the seal is broken, as long as the cap is screwed on tight. I do keep it in a gallon zip-lock bag though, just in case. Sorry, I don't know what a gallon= in liters. It's sturdy and I can't imagine it being crushed unless I run over it.

 

[Gorminrider]

I use soft bags strapped to back of bike and
those normal 1l oil cartons leak or an be crushed.

I've never crushed a plastic one, but if you like, Aluminum Water or Stove-fuel bottles are available for campers...Or first, look round in a local charity-thrift store. I often see them there, for pennies. One tip though- look for the ones with coarser threads on the stopper. Fine threads on plastic stoppers are easily stripped because they are hard to "get started"....

 

[ukjules]

Update on required design :

-Think it has to be a 1l container
as a top up from new oil could be transferred
to said sturdier container.
-Durable and not leak when horizontal.

I get what you say about plastic bought
1l cans .... but I have not found one that when
Seal broken doesnt leak when horizontal.

Yes hiking drinks bottles would do it
and I was going that way pre laying my
head on the block to ask such a mad question.
The neck is so thin though... but it would do it.

This is ideal but 1/2l
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/362621621685

This was the only item that I didnt have in order
and annoyed me on last expedition.

 

[Guest]

I keep a litre of oil in the "glove compartment" in the original plastic box. Dont care much if it leaks.

Id get one of those metal spare fuel bottles, some come with like a holder to attach to the frame. Id also get one for fuel.

 

[ukjules]

No glove compartment on my GS ......
but agree it's the metal drinks container
but stuck in the side pocket of my saddle like
luggage bag.

Last time I took the risk and no petrol
container. The reserve only I relied on.

( I remember the last expedition I relied on this
Site when I broke down in amsterdam 2017 i think it was)

 

[Guest]

No glove compartment on my GS ......
but agree it's the metal drinks container
but stuck in the side pocket of my saddle like
luggage bag.

Last time I took the risk and no petrol
container. The reserve only I relied on.

( I remember the last expedition I relied on this
Site when I broke down in amsterdam 2017 i think it was)

I dont know if it matters but there are ones specifically certified for fuel storage. A drink bottle might take damage. And you must ensure nobody uses it for drinks aftwr.

 

[Gorminrider]

Stainless or Aluminum! ("Aluminium" there?) is what I said...plastic crapola as per 10 pound ebay is nonsense. a couple of these...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aluminum...642736&hash=item1f132fce39:g:wRQAAOSw2jdfDp6P
You can do better at the charity store. You can use a glass wine bottle too. Glass is very strong if you don't fracture it.

 

[ukjules]

And the big question do I take a 1l or 600ml ?
Weight and size always an issue ......

1l solves all and no wastage.
600ml smaller but when refilling wastage possible
as refilling from 1l and topping up bike ....

Considerations only someone as poor as I may
think about but it is in the project scope ....

 

[ukjules]

And ....

The other option is to fix the oil leak .... something I
have been unable to stem pre 2016 !

Lhs only. From base gasket down. Lh casing are
all possibilities but I simply cannot locate it.
I should start another thread but it has got no
worse since 2016 ... when I put on new base and head
gasket.
I have put on numerous Lh side casing gasket
and bolts to correct torque.
I almost think its is coming from front of lh side casing.
But how.
If base gasket I had put a new one on pre 2016 with
some sealant.

 

[Grimly]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mountain-Warehouse-Metallic-Bottles-Finish-Aluminium-Leak-Proof-Rubber-Seal-1L/232915588143

 

[cowboyup3371]

You could always wrap it in a plastic ziploc bag to help cutdown on leaks

 

[Rob S.]

I still can't get over how much stuff you guys carry. I can relate to the oil situation; the last few years I rode my Z1 it burned oil like it was going out of style. If it was going to be a long day (100+ miles), I'd fill (or overfill) the crankcase, then add more when I got home at night.

My buddy rides a Concours, and always has a rain poncho (plus God knows what else) on board. Me? Here's my checklist:

Wheels? No more than two.

Engine? Same thing.

Seat, one, gas tank one.

Extra, optional weight? Two mirrors.

If I was going to the beach, I'd bungee an army blanket to the back of the seat. I've done four 400-mile days in my life, and one of those was with nothing more than the tee shirt on my back. I like to travel light. To each her own.

 

[Steve]

Sorry, Rob, but I am snickering a bit as I read this. :-\\\

If it was going to be a long day (100+ miles), ...

We have been out for four days now, two more before we get home. Today was the lightest day for mileage, only 211. We are on a scenic "let's stop and smell the roses" tour around Lake Michigan, so we are taking it EASY. The first day was the longest at 301 miles, the last day is scheduled for 336. Sorry, but "100+" does not qualify as a "long day". I have been known to ride that far to meet the guys for coffee to find out where we were going to ride that day.

I've done four 400-mile days in my life, and one of those was with nothing more than the tee shirt on my back. I like to travel light. To each her own.

400 miles with a tee shirt on your back is not exactly "traveling". Now, if those "four 400-mile days" were in a row, putting you 1600 miles from where you started (or 800 miles away, then back home), THAT is getting close to "traveling".

Some of us have ridden quite a bit more on quite a few different bikes and experienced quite a few different failures. Based on OUR experience, we tend to carry what we feel we might need to be able to make it home. This can be a challenge at times. My GS is the bike that is more likely to need something, but has somewhat limited storage (even though it's a LOT more than you have/want). My Wing has a LOT more storage, but is less likely to need anything.

And yes, "to each his/her own". We travel. This week we are on a 1500-mile trip. We have windshields on our bikes, so I have windshield cleaner. I have microfibers to clean the bikes. We have covers for the bikes at night. We have rain gear. I have some extra oil, along with pliers to open the cap and a rag to keep drips under control. We also have the luggage with our clothes and riding gear. That's the way WE travel. Sorry it doesn't fit with your version, but it's fine for us. :encouragement:

.

 

[ukjules]

I agree in the travel term !!! When I mean travel I mean
a 5000 mile tour of Europe not a jaunt to the beach......
There is no "home" and a T shirt ain't gonna cut it !
I consider it like taking a horse ... it needs attention
when far from any home ! And I need a tent .

I am jealous of the trip around Michigan.
I too when in expedition mode do 200m
Hops between sites. 360 was my biggest
going through central spain. Too far
On an old bike .... loaded up in the rain.

If you are on you gs send pictures ....

But the answer to oil carrying is the ally drinks bottle.

 

[tatu]

But the answer to oil carrying is the ally drinks bottle.

Fix the leak before you go, these things will only ever get worse.
Aluminium is not very chafe resistant and something square shaped is always preferable. Maybe one of those old ww2 American type water bottles? Much thicker ally
Finding places to tie stuff to is always a challenge, you still using that 550?
Where are you off to this time?

100 mile long day longest single hop on a bike was Gibraltar to UK 1470 miles in some horrible rain between Madrid and Paris, my leathers under my one piece rain suit didn't cut it at all

 

[Gorminrider]

I hear you Rob S...

If I have to go like this, I ain't.



I figure if I can't hike with the load, there's too much. Take the car. or fly there.

 

[Guest]

100 mile long day longest single hop on a bike was Gibraltar to UK 1470 miles in some horrible rain between Madrid and Paris, my leathers under my one piece rain suit didn't cut it at all

Isn't that like a 23 hour ride? I know younger I could drive that long in a car, but on a bike? In the rain? Sounds crazy. Not saying I wouldnt do it in a pinch (and norwegian roads are usually narrow, twisty and slow).

 

[bwringer]

I have vast amounts of oil stored on shelves in strategic locations all over the world. Diesel trucks and tractors are everywhere, and any place that sells fuel will have oil that's well-suited to a GS.

All I have to do is buy a bottle on the rare occasion I need a top-up. If I don't want to take the rest with me and risk spillage, I look for someone driving an old truck or car that looks like it uses oil and make a donation.

Unless there's something bad wrong with your bike, it's not worth carrying the stuff.

 

[Guest]

I have vast amounts of oil stored on shelves in strategic locations all over the world. Diesel trucks and tractors are everywhere, and any place that sells fuel will have oil that's well-suited to a GS.

All I have to do is buy a bottle on the rare occasion I need a top-up. If I don't want to take the rest with me and risk spillage, I look for someone driving an old truck or car that looks like it uses oil and make a donation.

Unless there's something bad wrong with your bike, it's not worth carrying the stuff.

Here I only find mineral diesel only oil in yuge containers. And synthetic 10w40 for bikes.