Fuel tank issue

[Machinations]

Can’t really find a clear answer the fuel tank on my 79 gs1000 I’ve been told can’t be repaired due to all the rust. I found a tank off a 1980 gs750L that looks the same but I was just wondering if it’ll bolt on and any issues with the petcock location ?

[Big T]

Unlikely it will bolt right on

You'll be stuck with the crappy 80 petcock
It has a different bolt spacing than your 79

Is your 79 tank leaking?

[chuck hahn]

I have soldered an entire lower seam on tanks to rebuild UNSAVABLE tanks. Solder all holes shut, do a derust and put in the Caswell 2 part epoxy tank liner. Then smooth off the solder prime and paint.
IF you decide to replace it send me a PM with pics. I would love to have it.

[Nessism]

The 1980-1981 GS750E and GS1100E tanks are a direct bolt on for the earlier GS1000 bikes. This interchange is one of the few that are viable within the GS family of bikes, without welding.

As chuck mentioned, if the rust isn't too bad, you can spot repair, derust, then line the tank with a thick sealer like Caswell's epoxy. I did that on a 1978 GS1000 tank, and man, it was a lot of work. Seemed simple, filling pin holes using a torch. But as soon as the derusting process started, more leaks formed. It was a game of whack-a-mole. In the end, I used duct tape on the outside of the tank surface, after giving up trying to braze closed each new hole. Totally surbmerge the tank in a plastic tub filled with diluted phosphoric acid, and derust. When all rust is gone, you can then make a decision on how to fix the metal. Replace a section, or just use sealer to patch small holes. If choosing the later, Caswell's sealer is best, because it's thick epoxy. Thinner materials would be a poor choice.

[steve murdoch]

I think we should establish which model of '79 GS1000 you have? E,C,S,L?
I have no actual knowledge but if it is a 1000 L the '80 750 L might fit. I repeat ....might.

[rphillips]

Ed seems to have nailed it... But if anybody has a "79" GS1000 C, please post a picture, they're pretty dang rare...... Sorry Steve,, just pok'in fun at ya', pretty sure a "C" would be a "78" model, the "79's" were "N"'s

[Big T]

Yeah, I've had that discussion about whether C is a year designation, or a model. (I'm in the former camp)
But, I long ago stopped being surprised by people not knowing there's a standard model 79 GS 1000

As to the gas tank, always worth saving

[rphillips]

Dang it Big T, You got me to wonder'in... I went to the Model Information place at thegsr Homepage and found for sure C means "78", N means "79", T means "80", X means "81", etc., etc..... But also found something I've never seen nor heard of before, According to their chart, Suzuki made a GS1000H in "78", "79", and "80"... Anybody ever heard of such a thing???

[Sandy]

I think we should establish which model of '79 GS1000 you have? E,C,S,L?
I have no actual knowledge but if it is a 1000 L the '80 750 L might fit. I repeat ....might.

Actually it could even be a "G". Inquiring minds would like to know. LOL.

[uk gs nut]

In UK we got a 1978 GS1000 HC, twin front discs cast wheels with fluted tank. AKA the skunk as you American's call them.

[rphillips]

Nut, were ya'lls black with white stripe like all ours were? Are you say'in ya'll had no 1978 GS1000EC? looks maybe like the same bike, just Suzuki called it an "H" for ya'll and an "E" for us... Great they did that, just so nobody could get confused.

[Big T]

Nut, were ya'lls black with white stripe like all ours were? Are you say'in ya'll had no 1978 GS1000EC? looks maybe like the same bike, just Suzuki called it an "H" for ya'll and an "E" for us... Great they did that, just so nobody could get confused.

The UK 78 E has a different paint scheme, no red pinstripe, no gold pinstripe and a big white stripe on the top of the tank.

Never seen an actual one, just pictures. Don't know of other differences, except the flat seat.

[Big T]

Dang it Big T, You got me to wonder'in... I went to the Model Information place at thegsr Homepage and found for sure C means "78", N means "79", T means "80", X means "81", etc., etc..... But also found something I've never seen nor heard of before, According to their chart, Suzuki made a GS1000H in "78", "79", and "80"... Anybody ever heard of such a thing???

It's extra confusing because if you look at the commonly used parts fiche, under 1978, it will list a GS 1000, GS 1000C and GS 1000 EC.

Then, as you look at parts, 79 models will also separately appear under carburators, fuel tanks and other items

And, some fiches have dropped the GS 1000.

I prefer to think of them as the standard model and the E models.

In 79, the L and the S came along.

In 80, the G was added, the standard was dropped , the E remained, the S was changed and I don't think there was an L.
BS carbs and electronic ignition in 80

This is all the n the USA, I know there's variations in other markets

[lizzywhite45]

The tank in question, GS750L 80, is unlikely to fit on a GS1000 tank of 1979 directly, with the mounting points and the petcock position varying. Unless your original tank is too badly worn out, some people have managed to salvage them by sealing up holes, cleaning off the rust and coating them with epoxy.
The following is an informative list of tips on fuel tank rust prevention that would assist you in preventing the same nightmare in the future.
Which GS1000 model do you have? That will make it easier to calculate which tanks will interchange.