style change

[robbiem1961]

i've got me a 1981 gs 650 gt; with the slab sided tank and flat bars; but am wondering whether the L/T model handle bar; tank and bodywork will fit my frame;
many thanks robbie;
i'm not going to lose huge amounts of sleep with moving brackets and suchlike; if i fit a pair of triumph US spec T140 Bonneville bars (I am allowed to; i am english; Triumph; the best bikes in the world;hahahahahaha; til i rode a gs 850) and leave it at that;
GS 850; probably the best motorcycle ever built; there is no no probably about it; fantastic motorcycles

[ShadowFocus603]

Generally speaking no they will not fit without modifications. And you may be the first person in the history of this site to want to take a G and put L/T parts on it. Usually it's the other way around. Most people don't like the smaller tank and buck horn bars found on the L models, myself included. Yet, my fiance loves hers, as seen in the link in my sig. Best bet is to buy an L or T, and go from there. Sell the G to fund it. Or keep it. Nothing wrong with more than 1 (or 4) GS's in the garage lol.

[gustovh]

You can use L bars, but might have to use longer cables. The T tank is a single bolt the L tank 2 bolts I believe on the 81.

V

[jsandidge]

And you may be the first person in the history of this site to want to take a G and put L/T parts on it. Usually it's the other way around.

That's true, but there's been many bikes posted here that members have bought or considered buying where a PO has done it. Especially the front end from what I've seen. Sometimes tanks too, but I don't think I've seen anyone change to the buckhorns. I usually notice these things, I like the L's.

[ShadowFocus603]

That's true, but there's been many bikes posted here that members have bought or considered buying where a PO has done it. Especially the front end from what I've seen. Sometimes tanks too, but I don't think I've seen anyone change to the buckhorns. I usually notice these things, I like the L's.

I think the change to leading axle may be due in large part to the fact that L parts are (seemingly) less popular and therefor cheaper to obtain. Of course I haven't been on the GS scene nearly as long as a lot of the folks here so I may be completely off mark but these are just my own observations. I see various L model bikes running $200-500 all the time whereas the equivalent G or E etc models run far more.