Heineken Mini Keg Fuel Tank

Thanks to inspiration in the form of a recent post on DIYGK, I decided to drag this out of mothballs, and finish it. I started it about 3 years ago for a go kart project- now it's going on MII.

Heineken Mini Keg, for thirsty consumers. The can is thin stainless steel and features a small can of co2 inside. I lost my original pics, I'll include a stock photo at the bottom.

I began by removing the plastic tap handle and spout, and bleeding off the remaining co2. I drilled a small hole in the top, then used aviation snips to cut a 2" hole to correspond with the marine style filler I got at Princess Auto.

Inside was a small co2 cartridge, in a plastic bracket. The cartridge came out easily with some screwdriver work, but the bracket was glued to the bottom of the tank. Suspecting hot glue, I flipped the can upside down, and applied a little heat with my propane plumbing torch... *PLOP*- dropped right out.

Now- again, the steel is pretty thin- I drilled holes for the fuel outlet and vent, and ran a tap into them for the sole purpose of giving the brass fittings a "bite". I mixed up some 2-part epoxy, applied it to the fittings liberally (NOT a political remark) and wrenched the fittings in snugly.

FWIW, I used this fitting method on a small s/s water bottle that I use as a test tank, running engines on the bench. 5 years later, the fitting shws no sign of loosening or leaking.

I piloted screw holes, and applied RTV silicone to the back of the filler. After a few minutes to skin up, I screwed it on.

Due to the tanks potentially fragile nature, I will be modifying a commercial fire extinguisher bracket for mounting, and mounting it in a manner and location so as to protect it from impacts.

A note on the vent fitting... You COULD just drill a small hole in the top of the tank or the cap somewhere, but I'm a big believer in remote vents. Cuts down on fuel spills when thrashing around. So, with the vent fitting there, I will run a length of 1/4" fuel hose to a suitable location, and probably top it with a fuel filter to keep the crap out.

Cool idea! It looks like a boat filler cap, or at least close to what i have on my speed boat.

I've used budwieser pony kegs for fuel tanks on VW trikes... Kegs are ALWAYS cool. I'd like to see one of those tunneled for a Bike tank... That would be really neat too.

redlinemotorsportts wrote:

looks like a boat filler cap,

Doc Sprocket wrote:

the marine style filler I got at Princess Auto.

Son, you've GOT to learn to read..... LMAO

Now see, I wasn't gonna say anything (snork) Ya big meanie head!

But this is 'murrrrrrrrrriica! I like looking at pictures anyways

redlinemotorsportts wrote:

But this is 'murrrrrrrrrriica! I like looking at pictures anyways

America.. goofball...

looks great doc, love the idea of it. probably could fool people on the trails too- "Hey man! can i bum a drink?" -"SURE! if you like to drink gasoline!!"