Another Tank ID Question

[Guest]

I?m hoping the GS pros here can help me figure out what tank I have. Pics are in the link. I?m not convinced that this tank that came on the bike is right. I?ve gone through the parts catalogs for a lot of old Suzuki?s and haven?t found a matching twin mounting tab tank like this. Hopefully I just missed it. Any ideas?

https://imgur.com/gallery/PjWY2CL

 

[Rob S.]

Can you ID for us your year and model, maybe put it in your signature, so we know what bike the tank came on, or what model you don't think it belongs on?

My '82 11E has twin rear mounting tabs, but it's different than your pic.

 

[Steve]

Yep, let us know what bike you have and why you don't think this tank belongs on it.

Depending on the measurements, it could be a tank off an '82 or '83 650GL or 850GL.

Provide measurements for basic lenght, width, height and distance between the mounting holes.

.

 

[Gorminrider]

from previous posts, I think he has a
1980 GS1000GL

if that is the bike,
from CMNSL parts fiche, I can see only one bolt holding the tank . The offset fuel cap from the photos looks odd to me but the fuel cap is a Suzuki one...
https://www.cmsnl.com/suzuki-gs1100lt-1980-t-usa-e03_model16002/partslist/BLCK0023.html


devilsadvoduck, you might want to look around in CMNSL or your favourite parts diagrams online and see if some other similar bike has that tank. The fiches often show the tank from a bad angle, but look for the bolts that mount the tank as a clue.

 

[Guest]

Apologies for the lack of detail. Realized after the fact that would have been pretty helpful.

The bike is an 80 GS1000GL. Measurements for the tank that came along with it are as follows:

tank length with tabs: 26”
tank length without tabs: 24”
tank at widest point: 13.5”
tank height: 9.5”
distance between center points of tabs: 5.25”
width of forward mounting channels: 4”

When I got the bike recently the tank was gingerly testing on top and I figured there would be some missing mounting hardware, but now that I’m starting the project and learning more about this particular machine, it’s clear that the frame has a single centered threaded mounting hole for the tank that doesn’t match the tank it came with.

 

[Guest]

I think you may have hit it with the 82-83 850GL. Looking through parts diagrams, they only depict one tab, but it is properly oriented and when you look at the mounting bolts, they are listed in pairs. Also the frame for the 850 has additional mounting points on the flat part of the rear frame that appear to match up with the two rear tank tabs.

now to figure out if I need to fab some mounts to make this work or source a different tank. Based on what I’ve heard as to availability of decent tanks, it may likely be the former. Thanks!

 

[Redman]

DA,
Seems like you have enough of an answer for you to continue.

But to discuss the general situation of GS tank mounting:
In my observation
- 81 and prior had one vertical tab on back, with one horizontal bolt.
- 82 and after had two horizontal tabs on back, and the two vertical bolts. As in the picture you provided.
(not to mention the washers and rubber spacers/cushions.)

(later note: I should say my expereince is with 650G, 850G & 1100G, not GL)
.

And, yes, decent tanks are hard to find. And usually the seller prices it accordingly.

 

[Guest]

DA,
Seems like you have enough of an answer for you to continue.

But to discuss the general situation of GS tank mounting:
In my observation
- 81 and prior had one vertical tab on back, with one horizontal bolt.
- 82 and after had two horizontal tabs on back, and the two vertical bolts. As in the picture you provided.
(not to mention the washers and rubber spacers/cushions.)

(later note: I should say my expereince is with 650G, 850G & 1100G, not GL)
.

And, yes, decent tanks are hard to find. And usually the seller prices it accordingly.

thanks. That does appear to be the situation. I mocked up a mount with cardboard that I think will work, adding a raised cross member to the frame behind where the horizontal mount currently exists on the frame. The original seat pan is shot so I was going to be replacing regardless. Only thing now is getting the engine/carbs back in before making the alterations to make sure that I will have proper carb/engine head clearance. That’s a ways down the road so plenty of time to trawl the Internet in the hopes that someone had a better tank that won’t break the bank, and if not, time to dust off the welding skills.