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1981 GS450T with (ET/X) parts

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gertig
  • Start date Start date
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Gertig

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Hey I recently came across a wonderful 1981 GS450T with just 2970 miles for $900 (I hope people agree with me that this was a good price) and I'm wanting to build a caf? racer out of it, though looking around for parts I think I'm stuck and I'm worrying I got the wrong bike.

I want to use the ET or EX model gas tank instead of the current one that I have and also like the side panels from the ET/EX over the T model (the line pattern design thingy is cool to me) Does anyone know if the gas tank and side fairings will fit from an ET/EX on a model T? If I can't just throw them on are they hard to work with to get on?

Thank you very much in advance! Also, are there any sites or suppliers with parts for these bikes?
 
You found a T, and you want to cut it up? You got the wrong bike.
Cutting is for Ls.
 
Errr I don't see the huge difference in the two, besides the seat really. As for 'cutting up' I wouldn't call it that when I'm just wanting to really change the gas tank and handle bars, eventually the seat for a finished caf?.

Edit: I'm assuming you mean the wrong bike because the T is more desirable? Either way your post is a tad bit... unhelpful. )-:
 
Last edited:
Ts are nice bikes, and very hard to find...
L's are common as Hondas, and they love to be cut.
Got any pictures?
 
I understand that you may be saddened by this, but I won't be throwing away any parts, if anything they will be recycled to help others. I don't plan on ever selling the bike really and in my area I think L's are harder to find and E's don't exist. There is another 1982 GS450T with 2795 miles near me now that the guy wants $1500 for, I might buy it if he goes to $900 or less seeing as it needs new tires and has some cosmetic issues.

I don't have pictures yet, its waiting in a shop for new tires, has the original ones on it.


tkent02 said:
Ts are nice bikes, and very hard to find...
L's are common as Hondas, and they love to be cut.
Got any pictures?
Click to expand...
 
So, I mean does the gas tank fit without modifications or not?
 
Don't know, I have never had a T, of any size. Only Gs and Es, which I ride, and Ls which I cut up and part out.
 
tkent02 said:
Don't know, I have never had a T, of any size. Only Gs and Es, which I ride, and Ls which I cut up and part out.
Click to expand...


Okay. Well thanks, and sorry to have told you that I won't be keeping this bike stock. I can assure you that it will be every bit as awesome and will be loved very much, which is all any GS needs, love.

and if anyone else comes around, still looking for that answer.
 
I don't have a T but I do have an E (the letters after the "S, E, L, and T" model designation are year codes). I'm not sure what, if any, frame differences exist, but I do know that E and S model tanks command a premium among the cafe racer crowd.

IMO, you're better off either passing on the T or flipping it to buy an E or S model outright. They were already styled as cafe racers with a square tank and boat tail from the factory (the "S" came with a cool quarter fairing and looks like a baby R90S), handle well, perform well and are reliable. Add your choice of bars and rearsets, if applicable, and you're good to go.

Making a cafe racer from the T sounds like and exercise in futility. You'd be reducing the value of a rarish model to try and achieve a look already done effectively on a much more common model (the E).
 
I don't understand how the E is more common when T's are showing up left and right around here yet I haven't seen one E.

hardline_42 said:
I don't have a T but I do have an E (the letters after the "S, E, L, and T" model designation are year codes). I'm not sure what, if any, frame differences exist, but I do know that E and S model tanks command a premium among the cafe racer crowd.

IMO, you're better off either passing on the T or flipping it to buy an E or S model outright. They were already styled as cafe racers with a square tank and boat tail from the factory (the "S" came with a cool quarter fairing and looks like a baby R90S), handle well, perform well and are reliable. Add your choice of bars and rearsets, if applicable, and you're good to go.

Making a cafe racer from the T sounds like and exercise in futility. You'd be reducing the value of a rarish model to try and achieve a look already done effectively on a much more common model (the E).
Click to expand...
 
Gertig said:
I don't understand how the E is more common when T's are showing up left and right around here yet I haven't seen one E.
Click to expand...
Where are you located? Every CL search for five or six states around me only yields E or L models.
 
Gertig said:
Where are you.
Click to expand...
New Jersey. Says so on the upper right corner of all of my posts. It would help others if you filled out your bio with location info so they can direct you to bikes/parts they might come across in your area.
 
Gertig, I have both models as 400's both are 1981, T and E . I expect they are pretty similar as to 450 differences.

On these GSX400's (the x means 4 valve's per piston) there are some subtle differences in
tank mounting 1 bolt instead of two at the rear of it,
seat(quite a bit different as to mounting-the T seat BOLTS on, the E seat has a key lock to remove it from the tailpiece,
rear fender attachment bolts are actually in different places etc. ...
the sidecovers have totally different attachments. The E ones have hooks on the top, (seat needs removal to get em off!)while the T has the push-on tabs- -to- rubber- O ring on all sides.
Wheel sizes are also different but easily swappable..E has 2x18" , T has 19"front,17" rear. E has narrower wheels..
All that said, I think it's possible to sawp everything over but you'd be doing some welding or some magic with clamps and bolts.
 
Pix of swapped tank

Pix of swapped tank

aha. Here's more.
Etank-onT.jpg


so that's the 400E tank on a T frame. The welded-on coil mounts would need cutting off the T. Note in the next pictures that the E straps the coils onto frame...This is the E-can't really see how in this, but it keeps the coils much more compactly to the frame. A parts fiche may show better.
400Eframe.jpg


and this is the T showing welded-on coil mounts. The E tank is just too narrow and you'd have to cut stuff.
400Tframe.jpg


now lets go back a few steps. see the two bolts on a T tank...?this is another T, but the same as to fitments
400T%2520whereseatgoes.jpg


and here's the E tank...one bolt. Also, note the tabs for sidecovers I mentioned, if you can see em here.
400E-whereseatgoes.jpg



now, I can't say if this is true for a 450 but there may be some points to consider before starting ...
I still think you could switch tanks, and sidecovers but it'll be some work.
 
That's *exactly* the same set up as the two valve 450E's... which is what I have.

Single bolt at the back, coils up under the tank either side of the centre spar of the frame, and those same brackets for the side covers.

There are also the round brackets with rubber grommets to accept the nipple from the side covers to hold them on.

Personally, a lower set of handlebars and re-cut foam in the seat should be enough to "cafe" a T...
 
I did it. I put an E tank on my T frame.

IMAG0572_zps35796155.jpg


The front mounts for the T tank are too wide for the E tank, you must cut those. Luckily the positioning of the new mounts already exists, you just have to drill it out and find a bar + a way to secure said bar.

The rear mount on the E tank is a single bolt, the T frame is set up for the double bolt. I made a bracket that bolts into the double hole frame and goes to a single hole at the tank.

The coils must be moved. As previously pictured they are too wide as is on the T frame. I chopped off the brackets and made up some to position and hold them as they are on the E frame.

Overall its an easy swap, It'd be much easier to find and E/S Model bike to start with, but make due with what you've got. You'll also gain nearly a gallon of fuel capacity, which is awesome.
 
aha! right, guys.(nice bike!) ...I missed that bit about the front mounting knobs for the tank being wrong on the T ... Yes, that's right, pete- I have the O ring +nubby on the bottom only on the 400E sidecover....and as jeffasaurus shows you maybe can not bother with the sidecovers anyways.
 
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