Grafting a 79 GS550 E tank fit on a L frame?

[byrdman76]

Will it fit? - with a little work...

I wanted to get more of a cafe look out of my GS550L. So i started with making a fiberglass seat and tail section. Once that was completed I still felt like the tank didnt suit the bike.

So after a score on Ebay I had my chance to try and make it work. I had to relocate the front and rear tank mounts but it mounted up pretty easily.

Here are some pics of the process.

 

[byrdman76]

rear tank mount

rear tank mount

Here is the rear mount. I had to modify the original bracket and weld in a small crossmember but it worked out.

 

[byrdman76]

current profile

current profile

This is a mock up with the seat mounted,

 

[tkent02]

Best looking "L" I've ever seen...

Best looking "L" I've ever seen...

Keep it going.

 

[byrdman76]

Time for some knee relief

Time for some knee relief

Its actually easier than you would think it would be.

The first blow is the hardest then you just let the hammer and metal work to gether and hang on for the ride.

 

[BentRod]

That hammering isn't too shabby! Although it looks like you were using a welding hammer (I've used them too) Excelent job.

now the tricky part.. make the other side look Exactly the same....

 

[byrdman76]

That hammering isn't too shabby! Although it looks like you were using a welding hammer (I've used them too) Excelent job.

now the tricky part.. make the other side look Exactly the same....

Is there a special hammer or tool for knocking dents into metal - i just used the backside of a ball pien hammer.

I looked at the local harbor freight but couldnt find anything that i felt would work better. The ball pien hammer worked fine but if there is a specific method or tool give me a heads up - this was the first tank i hammered on but definetly not the last!

Thanks for the comments.

 

[Tarbash 27]

wow, I think i might get the same type of tank for my 550 since i dont want to buy an L tank.

 

[beergood]

Any autoparts store should have what they call a body hammer. It costs about 10 bucks and is usually around the bondo and fiberglass. It's basically a ball peen hammer, maybe weighted a little differently, with a little pointier peen.

When I did mine I used a regular old claw hammer. It had a nice, smooth and fairly flat face. I agree with you that the first blow is the hardest. Once your through with that there is no turning back.

http://www.autobodytoolmart.net/pc-10861-595-2140-7-piece-hammer-dolly-set.aspx

 

[byrdman76]

Any autoparts store should have what they call a body hammer. It costs about 10 bucks and is usually around the bondo and fiberglass. It's basically a ball peen hammer, maybe weighted a little differently, with a little pointier peen.

When I did mine I used a regular old claw hammer. It had a nice, smooth and fairly flat face. I agree with you that the first blow is the hardest. Once your through with that there is no turning back.

http://www.autobodytoolmart.net/pc-10861-595-2140-7-piece-hammer-dolly-set.aspx

Thanks for the heads up - that kit is priced very well too. 20 bucks for more sheet metal working tools than i will ever need.

BTW Where did you get your clubmans at?

 

[beergood]

A friend of mine works at a triumph dealership. He ordered me a pair. Any parts store should be able to get them. They cost about $20.

Contrary to what you might hear, I find them very comfortable. They do change the way you ride though.

 

[byrdman76]

A friend of mine works at a triumph dealership. He ordered me a pair. Any parts store should be able to get them. They cost about $20.

Contrary to what you might hear, I find them very comfortable. They do change the way you ride though.

My daily driver is a CBR 954 Im used to hugging the tank - I actually prefer it, I feel more in control that way.

Thanks for the info.