GS1100G/GS850G: Same Fuel Tank?

[RustyTank]

Howdy folks. The 82/83 GS850G fuel tank and the GS1100G tank look exactly the same, from what I've read they were the same size, both held 22 liters/5.8 gallons. So I'm just curious, are they in fact the exact same tank? And if so, is there any reason to think a GS1100G fuel tank wouldn't fit right onto a 82/83 GS850G frame? Theoretically it should be a straight swap, no?

[Steve]

It is a perfect fit, except for the paint.

For others that are reading this, the '80/'81 1000G and 850G are also interchangeable,
but the '80/'81 tanks do NOT swap directly with the '82/'83 tanks.

.

[RustyTank]

but the '80/'81 tanks do NOT swap directly with the '82/'83 tanks.

I'm curious why Steve? Is it one reason, or several?

[Nessism]

I'm curious why Steve? Is it one reason, or several?

I'm not Steve (obviously) but the answer is because they don't. Suzuki renovated the bikes in several ways for 1982.

[RustyTank]

I'm not Steve (obviously) but the answer is because they don't. Suzuki renovated the bikes in several ways for 1982.

I was just curious if the reason was similar to the reason a 1982/83 GS850 tank won't directly fit onto a 79/80 GS850, because of the tank bolt placement.

[Steve]

Tank bolt placement is the biggest reason, I think the petock location is slightly different, too.

Remember: I said they were not a DIRECT swap, meaning a simple remove and replace.
I didn't say it wasn't possible for someone with enough time, money and determination.

.

[salty_monk]

The later tanks are a two bolt setup.. Aren't the earlier tanks a 1 bolt setup?

[RustyTank]

The later tanks are a two bolt setup.. Aren't the earlier tanks a 1 bolt setup?

On the GS850's? Yup, they sure are.

[Steve]

Yep, a single bolt, and it's horizontal, instead of vertical.

.

[sacruickshank]

For a minor thread detour, do ~all the GS tank with two vertical bolts share similar spacing between the bolts and up to the front cups? The tank on my recently acquired '81 GS550T is a two bolt variety. It holds gas, but is not great so I'm trying to decide to fix with paint or buy one in better condition. Visually it looks similar to an '83 GS450L tank from a past project.

The paint option isn't cheap when you add in primer, paint, and fuel proof clear coat to get something respectable.

Any options from other GS's wouldn't be a direct swap because the 550T is the rare variant with no fuel gauge and petcocks might be in different locations. Those diffs are manageable.

[Nessism]

For a minor thread detour, do ~all the GS tank with two vertical bolts share similar spacing between the bolts and up to the front cups? The tank on my recently acquired '81 GS550T is a two bolt variety. It holds gas, but is not great so I'm trying to decide to fix with paint or buy one in better condition. Visually it looks similar to an '83 GS450L tank from a past project.

The paint option isn't cheap when you add in primer, paint, and fuel proof clear coat to get something respectable.

Any options from other GS's wouldn't be a direct swap because the 550T is the rare variant with no fuel gauge and petcocks might be in different locations. Those diffs are manageable.

An '83 450L tank being a direct bolt on to a 550T would be a long shot. If it fits go straight to the store and buy some lotto tickets.

Paint is not cheap, but it's money well spent if the vehicle is a keeper.